Updated · Cornell University The Cornell Daily Sun · Sep 30
Cornell Student Assembly Sets 4:45 p.m. Hearing on Sexual Violence as Chi Phi Lawsuit Widens Fallout
Updated
Updated · Cornell University The Cornell Daily Sun · Sep 30
Cornell Student Assembly Sets 4:45 p.m. Hearing on Sexual Violence as Chi Phi Lawsuit Widens Fallout
3 articles · Updated · Cornell University The Cornell Daily Sun · Sep 30
Summary
Thursday’s 4:45-6:30 p.m. hearing in Willard Straight Hall will let Cornell community members press the Student Assembly over the university’s response to an alleged 2024 Chi Phi gang rape.
The Assembly said Cornell has offered too little transparency on discipline and cited CUPD’s alleged mishandling of key evidence, after a former student sued the university, Chi Phi and others on Sept. 14.
Cornell said Monday that its investigation led to expulsions and suspensions, rejecting claims that essay writing was the only penalty, but it did not say who or how many students were punished.
District Attorney Matthew Van Houten reopened the criminal probe after the civil suit presented what he called a different narrative from the plaintiff’s 2024 police statement, amid a dispute over whether CUPD shared a Snapchat screenshot.
The Assembly plans to introduce a transparency resolution Thursday and tied the case to broader campus concerns, noting reports of nonconsensual sexual contact rose to 15% in Cornell’s 2025 survey from 11% in 2023.