Cornell University’s president issued an apology to the former student who claimed she was gang raped by seven members of the Chi Phi fraternity on campus in October 2024.
Michael Kotlikoff reflected on the case while speaking to The New York Times on Wednesday, October 14. Kotlikoff explained that he became aware of the incident shortly after the accuser – known only by the alias of Jane Doe – first came forward with her claims in November 2024.
He admitted that he did not follow up with Doe after she came forward, nor did he speak to the men she accused of raping her.
“The fact that Jane Doe experienced what she experienced at Cornell is something that I am personally sorry for,” he said. “And I think this entire campus is sorry that occurred.”
Kotlikoff added that he and other school officials did not have a full picture of the allegations that Doe made until she filed a civil lawsuit on September 16.
Since then, more details have emerged when reports from the university’s Title IX investigation were published. The reports included a timeline of events that investigators determined from witness interviews, as well as the messages that Doe exchanged with the men she accused of rape.
In one of the messages, Doe purportedly told one of the accused that “90 percent of what happened that night was not consensual” and she “was given more [ketamine] than i can remember.”
“I do think it’s important to understand we have more information now than we had at that time,” Kotlikoff said, acknowledging that he let the investigation be conducted independently in order to respect the students’ privacy.
Kotlikoff also admitted that he did not ask about the results of the initial investigation, while he also believes he should have been informed when the Tompkins County district attorney declined to press charges against the men accused. Instead, some of the men were suspended and others were given far less severe punishments.
After Doe reported the incident to campus police, she dropped out of the university once the investigation was completed.
Elsewhere in the new interview, Kotlikoff reflected on the increased usage of ketamine and alcohol at colleges around the United States.
“I think that this is a problem that relates to 20-year-olds, 21-year-olds leaving home for the first time, coming into an environment where there’s access to alcohol, where there is unfortunately in some cases access to drugs. And they’re not prepared,” he said. “This is a challenge for us, we have to respond by building character, judgment, responsibility, care for each other.”
Kotlikoff went on to say that the university is working toward creating a safer environment moving forward. The university’s presidential task force was created in February 2025 to address sexual assault on campus, and the program has introduced training on sexual assault and “bystander responsibilities” for freshman and other new students.
The president – who has banned social events and parties at fraternity houses for the remainder of the academic year in the aftermath of Doe’s lawsuit – also acknowledged that the university still needs to regain the trust of its community.
“People are angry. I understand that anger,” he said.
If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).
