Cornell University has appointed Sally Yates, a former acting U.S. attorney general, to head an independent internal review into how the school handled a former student's rape allegations. Yates, a partner at King & Spalding, will examine the school's response to the case and its policies related to preventing and responding to sexual harassment, sexual assault, and related misconduct on campus. The review comes amid outrage on campus and nationally over the university's handling of the case.
The case in question involves a former student, identified as Jane Doe, who filed a civil lawsuit alleging she was drugged and gang raped in 2024 at the Chi Phi fraternity house on campus. Doe also alleged that the school failed to properly handle her complaint and the aftermath. The lawsuit, filed in mid-September, names seven men and Cornell University as defendants. Those named in the lawsuit have denied all wrongdoing.
Yates was selected by the Special Committee of the Cornell University Board of Trustees, which was formed to oversee the review. Anne Meinig Smalling, chair of the special committee, said Yates brings "extraordinary experience, independence and judgment" to the review. The committee has asked Yates to examine Cornell's overall approach to preventing and responding to sexual misconduct, identify areas for improvement, and recommend changes to make the community safer.
The university has maintained that Cornell University Police investigated the case thoroughly and that the school held its own Title IX investigation, which resulted in suspensions and expulsions. However, students have protested the university's response to the case, and New York Gov. Kathy Hochul appointed state Attorney General Letitia James to lead a criminal investigation into the rape case. The case has renewed national conversations over consent and sexual assault on college campuses.
In response to the university's handling of the case, students are planning to hold a 7-hour sit-in as part of a campus-wide "zero day" action. Students say they won't attend class or spend money for those seven hours. The Cornell NAACP, which organized the event, said on Instagram that students are asking the community to "physically show up and stand—or, for seven hours, sit—with survivors."
Yates served as the U.S. deputy attorney general under President Barack Obama and has extensive experience in federal law enforcement. Her appointment is seen as a move to provide an independent and impartial review of the university's handling of the case. The review is expected to examine the school's policies and procedures for preventing and responding to sexual misconduct, as well as its response to the specific allegations made by Doe.
The outcome of the review and the student protests remains to be seen. However, the university has acknowledged that it has a responsibility to ensure a safe and supportive community for all students. With Yates at the helm of the review, the university hopes to provide a thorough and transparent examination of its handling of the case and to identify ways to improve its policies and procedures.
Key points
- Cornell University names Sally Yates, former acting U.S. attorney general, to lead independent review of handling of 2024 rape allegations
- Review will examine university's response to case and policies related to preventing and responding to sexual harassment, sexual assault, and related misconduct on campus
- Students plan 7-hour sit-in as part of campus-wide "zero day" action to protest university's handling of case
