Jane Doe has sued Cornell University and seven Chi Pi fraternity members over rape allegations tied to October of 2024, bringing the case back into focus in Ithaca, where is Cornell University located. She says she was 20 years old, intoxicated, and at her dream school when the alleged assault happened at the Chi Phi frat house.
The lawsuit puts the university’s internal process and the criminal review on the same record. Doe says she filed a report with the university’s police department about three weeks later, and Cornell then held at least 12 hearings.
Jane Doe’s account
Doe says two frat brothers pressured her into snorting what they said was ketamine before she was sexually assaulted. She also says a man sent a message to the frat’s Snapchat group chat suggesting a woman was available for sex, and more men later showed up.
She says she was raped for hours. Thomas Giuffra, her attorney, said, “Not one of these guys was arrested. Not one. That I can tell you for a fact,” and added, “There were so many people that could have prevented it and they didn't.”
Cornell’s hearings
Cornell’s internal review produced discipline for some of the seven fraternity members accused. Giuffra said only two were expelled, while others received lesser sanctions including suspensions, workshops or essays.
Cornell said, “The Cornell Office of Civil Rights and the Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards investigated and adjudicated the allegations consistent with university policies.” It also said, “Violations of university policies could lead to sanctions up to and including suspension or expulsion.”
Tompkins County review
The Tompkins County District Attorney said his office conducted a thorough review of the police investigation and found insufficient evidence to support criminal charges. That left the case with a civil lawsuit moving forward even after the criminal review ended without charges.
Cornell said, “Federal privacy law prohibits Cornell from disclosing specific information regarding individual students and we therefore are unable to make a public statement on any other disciplinary response.” It also said the Xi chapter of Chi Phi fraternity remains barred from its campus and that it launched a task force on sexual assaults after this investigation.
Cornell said, “We will respond in detail through the legal process.” For Doe, the next fight now runs through court, with the university’s discipline, the district attorney’s decision and her own account all colliding in one case.
