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Cornell suspends fraternity-house parties through 2026–27 academic year
Cornell President Michael Kotlikoff announced a suspension of parties and social events at Interfraternity Council houses through the end of the 2026–27 academic year, with immediate emergency chapter suspensions for violations.
Cornell University announced Tuesday that it is suspending fraternity-house parties and other social events for the rest of the academic year and will give New York State Police a role in investigating campus sex crimes. The announcement comes amid anger over its handling of allegations that a female student was sexually assaulted at a fraternity house in 2024.
President Michael Kotlikoff's measures suspend all parties and social events at Interfraternity Council houses through the end of the 2026–27 academic year. A new zero-tolerance policy would impose an immediate emergency suspension on a fraternity chapter that violates the restrictions.
Kotlikoff also committed to adding a case manager to Cornell's Office of Civil Rights to help people reporting campus sexual misconduct navigate the process. He pledged to work with New York State Police so its criminal investigators, who are independent of Cornell, can investigate allegations.
Following an internal investigation, Cornell closed the fraternity chapter and disciplined several students. No criminal charges have been filed.
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Cornell president faces faculty questions over response to alleged sexual assault
Cornell University President Michael Kotlikoff faced sharp questions at a heated faculty senate meeting Wednesday about the school's response to an alleged 2024 gang rape of a student at a fraternity house, an audio recording of the meeting shows.
The meeting was the first of two at which the faculty senate will consider a no-confidence resolution condemning the school's response to sexual violence on campus. A vote is expected at the end of the month.
Kotlikoff defended recent measures, including suspending fraternity parties and involving state police in investigating sexual assaults on campus. Faculty members repeatedly challenged the university's response.
Explaining the recent suspension of fraternity parties, Kotlikoff said the step was necessary to counter what he described as the Greek system's monopoly over students' social activity.
Kotlikoff said much of that social activity takes place in private houses, where the university cannot be fully confident that what happens is safe.
All seven fraternity brothers named in the civil lawsuit have denied wrongdoing. No criminal charges have been filed in the case.
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