Cornell halted parties and other social events at Interfraternity Council houses through the end of the 2026-27 academic year and adopted a zero-tolerance policy allowing immediate chapter suspensions.
New York State Police will now help investigate campus sex-crime allegations, shifting a role usually handled by Cornell police after criticism of the university-controlled force's response to a 2024 fraternity assault report.
The move follows a September lawsuit alleging a woman was drugged and gang-raped at Chi Phi in October 2024; Cornell shut that chapter and disciplined several students, but no criminal charges were filed.
Governor Kathy Hochul removed the local district attorney from the case this month, Attorney General Letitia James now leads the investigation, and Cornell separately hired Sally Yates to review its response.
Kotlikoff announced added victim advocates, a new case manager and alternative social programming a day before faculty were set to consider a no-confidence resolution over Cornell's handling of sexual assault.