New York state police to take over Cornell sexual offence complaints under Hochul agreement
Governor Kathy Hochul says all future sexual offence complaints at Cornell University will be referred to New York State Police, a move that follows backlash over the university's handling of a 2024 gang rape allegation at a fraternity.
BBC World
New York Governor Kathy Hochul has announced that New York State Police will investigate all future sexual offence complaints at Cornell University. Under an agreement signed between the state police and the university, such complaints, which historically fell under the jurisdiction of the university's own police force, will now be immediately referred to state authorities.
"When someone reports sexual assault," Hochul said on Thursday, they deserve "to know their allegations will be taken seriously and thoroughly investigated by law enforcement trained to support survivors". "Survivors should be able to trust the institutions responsible for protecting them," the governor added.
The announcement follows a civil lawsuit filed in mid-September by a student identified in court documents as Jane Doe. She alleges she was drugged and raped by seven men at a fraternity house at the university in 2024. The men have become known as the Cornell Seven, and her suit claims Cornell failed to protect her or adequately punish them.
The university initially defended its disciplinary measures in the case but later acknowledged it fell short in its handling. Earlier this month, Cornell announced a series of measures responding to the alleged assault, including adding sexual assault investigators to its police force.
Hochul said she was "deeply disturbed" by how the investigation was handled. Earlier this month she appointed New York Attorney General Letitia James as a special prosecutor to oversee a reopened investigation into whether criminal charges are warranted.
Pressure on the institution has continued to build. On Wednesday, Cornell's Faculty Senate, a governing body composed of professors and other academic staff, met behind closed doors and decided to move forward with a resolution of no confidence against the administration and university President Michael Kotlikoff.
The vote will open to faculty on Friday and run until 6 November. It is largely symbolic but could intensify pressure for a change in the university's leadership.
Backlash against the Ivy League institution has been intense since the lawsuit was filed, and the governor's announcement marks the latest intervention by state officials in the case.