Cornell suspends frat parties after alleged gang rape

NEW YORK: Cornell University on Tuesday (Oct 13) suspended fraternities’ parties and social events for the remaining academic year following outcry over an alleged gang rape at one of the elite college’s all-male clubs.

The 2024 incident, as alleged in a graphic lawsuit filed last month, has drawn accusations that the Ivy League institution in New York state failed to properly punish the men involved.

The accuser claimed that she was pressured to take ketamine, assaulted and raped by seven members of the Chi Phi fraternity – one of several “Greek life” organisations common across US colleges.

Cornell President Michael Kotlikoff said the suspension “will provide time for a thorough review of fraternity life at Cornell to determine whether and how it can safely continue”.

“I am deeply sorry for the harm Jane Doe suffered in 2024, and appalled that this act of sexual violence occurred within our Cornell community,” he added, referring to the accuser’s pseudonym. 

Following her initial allegations, Cornell shut down the fraternity and temporarily suspended the accused male students, two of whom were later expelled.

But critics have said the university’s response was too lenient, prompting it to launch an independent review. 

Thousands of students and faculty members rallied at Cornell this month to demand justice for the accuser, displaying signs reading “Hold them accountable” and “Protect survivors”.

Protesters have also gathered in New York, Boston and other US cities to show support for the accuser, while social media users have shared the hashtag #IAmJaneDoe on TikTok, X and Instagram.