Former Cornell Student Sues University Over Alleged Frat Gang Rape

The survivor, identified as Jane Doe, claims that after being pressured to snort a substance she believed to be ketamine, she was sexually assaulted by seven men. According to the court filing, one of the fraternity brothers broadcasted her incapacitated state in a group chat titled 'Chi Phi Actives,' using a message that invited others to engage in non-consensual sex. The lawsuit alleges that subsequent men arrived at the scene throughout the night, perpetuating the assault while she remained unconscious.

Attorney Thomas Giuffra, representing the plaintiff, criticized Cornell’s internal disciplinary process, noting that while the university conducted an investigation, only two of the seven accused students were expelled. Others faced lesser sanctions, such as suspensions or writing essays, and no criminal arrests were made. Giuffra stated that the survivor was forced to drop out of her dream school due to the trauma, arguing that the university fostered an environment where such violence was tolerated.

Tompkins County prosecutors previously reviewed the case but cited insufficient evidence to file criminal charges, though the investigation has now been reopened. Cornell University maintains that it adjudicated the matter according to its policies and has since barred the Xi chapter of Chi Phi from campus. The national fraternity organization stated it is taking the allegations seriously, while the university indicated it would address the specific claims through the ongoing legal process.