1,000 Cornell Students Demand Expulsions After 2024 Fraternity Rape Allegations
Updated
Updated · The Washington Post · Oct 5
1,000 Cornell Students Demand Expulsions After 2024 Fraternity Rape Allegations
3 articles · Updated · The Washington Post · Oct 5
Summary
More than 1,000 Cornell students filled Ho Plaza on Monday, demanding the university expel or revoke degrees of Chi Phi members accused in a 2024 gang rape and, in some cases, fire President Michael Kotlikoff.
The protest followed a lawsuit alleging fraternity members coerced a 20-year-old sophomore to take ketamine after drinking and raped her over seven hours; the district attorney filed no criminal charges.
Students also pressed for structural changes, including restoring Cornell’s independent judicial system, mandatory sexual-assault prevention training and trauma-informed training for campus police.
The demonstration, backed by 20 student groups, defied a campus protest-time policy; organizers said activists already face suspensions, evictions and credit-hour cuts that can jeopardize student visas.
The outcry widened after vandals smashed Day Hall windows and spray-painted messages early Monday, with another seven-hour sit-in planned for Wednesday as scrutiny of Cornell’s handling of sexual-assault cases grows.