Ex-Cornell Student Files Lawsuit Over Alleged Gang Rape at Fraternity House

Ex-Cornell student sues fraternity and university over alleged gang rape, claims some perpetrators received only essay punishments.

Editorial Desk

September 28, 2026 One Min Read

POLICY WIRE — Ithaca, New York — A former Cornell University student has filed a civil lawsuit against the university and seven male members of the Chi Phi fraternity, alleging she was drugged and subjected to a prolonged sexual assault in October 2024.

The 101-page complaint, submitted on September 14 in New York County Supreme Court, details an incident where Jane Doe, then 20 years old, was allegedly intoxicated after snorting a substance claimed to be ketamine. The suit states that multiple individuals participated in the assault, which lasted for hours while she was incapacitated.

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Doe reported the attack three weeks later, but no criminal charges were filed despite the presence of group chat messages showing participants celebrating the event. The university’s Title IX investigation led to only two expulsions, with others receiving lesser penalties such as temporary suspensions or essay-writing assignments. Cornell and the fraternity have both issued statements, with the university citing privacy laws and the fraternity condemning the allegations.

Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)

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