Cornell president acknowledges he knew about fraternity sexual assault but didn’t follow up
Cornell University President Michael Kotlikoff has admitted he was aware of a 2024 sexual assault report but failed to follow up with the victim. The admission comes amid a civil lawsuit and growing calls for his resignation.
Why it matters
The case highlights institutional failures in handling sexual assault allegations at major universities and the resulting loss of public trust.
Cornell University students in Ithaca, New York, on 7 October 2026. Cornell University students in Ithaca, New York, on 7 October 2026. US universities Cornell president acknowledges he knew about fraternity sexual assault but didn’t follow up Michael Kotlikoff addressed his administration’s handling of the 2024 allegations as he faces calls for his resignation
Prefer the Guardian on Google Michael Kotlikoff, the president of Cornell University, has spoken to the New York Times about sexual assault allegations at the school, acknowledging for the first time that he knew a student had reported being sexually assaulted in November 2024, but did not follow up with the Jane Doe involved in the months after learning about the alleged assault.
He also revealed that he did not know she had dropped out of Cornell until she filed a lawsuit last month.
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