Mass Protests Erupt at Cornell Over Handling of Gang-Rape Allegations

Thousands of students and faculty gathered at Cornell University on Monday in the largest protest to hit the Ivy League campus this year, demanding President Michael Kotlikoff's resignation over the administration's handling of gang-rape allegations at a fraternity house.

The demonstration was sparked by a lawsuit filed by a former student identified only as Jane Doe, who alleges she was plied with drugs and raped at a fraternity party in 2024. The case has drawn international outrage and intensified scrutiny of fraternity culture and campus sexual violence across American universities.

Protesters chanted "Ban the frats" and carried signs reading "At Cornell, rapists are safer than women" and "Stop rape culture." Some demonstrators smashed a glass door at Day Hall, which houses the president's office, and spray-painted "SMASH THE PATRIARCHY" and "AT CORNELL RAPISTS ARE PROTECTED PROTESTORS ARE EXPELLED" on the building's facade.

The students who vandalized the building said in a statement that they were protesting "the global systems of power that allowed this to happen in the first place" and aimed to ensure Day Hall "was not able to continue business as usual." Their painted message referenced arguments that campus officials had treated pro-Palestine protesters more harshly than students accused of sexual misconduct; four student demonstrators were suspended in 2024.

Kyle Kimball, a Cornell spokesperson, condemned the vandalism but acknowledged community frustration. "We understand the frustration and strong emotions being expressed across our community. Those concerns deserve to be heard, but damaging property is not the answer," Kimball said. "We are investigating the vandalism at Day Hall and will address it in accordance with University policy and applicable law."

Cornell said it would take "a serious look" at fraternities in the wake of the allegations.

Reporting by The Guardian. Read the original report: Student protests erupt at Cornell over mishandling of gang-rape allegations.