Cornell president to look at role of fraternities on campus

Cornell University President Michael I. Kotlikoff released a videotaped statement on Saturday addressing the national outrage surrounding the university's handling of a 2024 fraternity gang rape case. He called the case "deeply disturbing" and the situation "a defining moment" in Cornell's history. Kotlikoff said the administration "must do better" to counter a campus culture of sexual assault, dehumanization, and substance abuse. He announced that the university board will retain an outside law firm to conduct an independent review of the school's response, welcomed New York Attorney General Letitia James taking over the criminal probe, and committed Cornell's support to legislative efforts aimed at closing New York's "voluntary intoxication" sexual assault loophole.