Sally Yates Leads Investigation into Cornell’s Handling of Rape Allegations

Cornell University has appointed former acting U.S. Attorney General Sally Yates to lead an independent investigation into the university’s handling of rape allegations lodged by a former student. Yates, with a background as a career federal prosecutor and deputy attorney general under President Barack Obama, will head the internal review.

The move follows increasing campus unrest and national scrutiny after a former student, identified as Jane Doe, filed a civil lawsuit. Doe’s suit claims she was drugged and gang-raped in 2024, and that the university failed in its response to her allegations. Led by the newly formed Special Committee of the Cornell University Board of Trustees, Yates will also review Cornell’s policies on addressing sexual harassment and misconduct.

Anne Meinig Smalling, chair of the special committee, expressed confidence in Yates’s capabilities. “Sally Yates brings extraordinary experience, independence, and judgment to this work,” Smalling stated. The university aims to use this investigation not only to address the specific case but to evaluate and enhance their overall response to sexual misconduct.

The lawsuit, filed in mid-September, alleges that seven men drugged and assaulted Doe for several hours at the Chi Phi fraternity house in October 2024. While criminal charges have not been pursued, those accused have denied the allegations. Cornell University is also listed as a defendant in the lawsuit. It asserts that the university police conducted a thorough investigation, alongside a Title IX probe that resulted in suspensions and expulsions.

Despite these actions, students have protested Cornell’s handling of the incident. In response to mounting criticism, New York Governor Kathy Hochul has tasked state Attorney General Letitia James with leading a criminal investigation into the matter.

This case has reignited discussions nationwide regarding consent and sexual assault on college campuses.