Students Demand Cornell President’s Resignation Over Rape Allegations

Students protest Cornell's handling of gang rape allegations, calling for president's resignation and fraternities to be banned.

Editorial Desk

October 7, 2026 One Min Read

POLICY WIRE — Ithaca, N.Y. — Students at Cornell University are demanding the resignation of the school’s president, Michael Kotlikoff, over the institution’s handling of a reported gang rape at a fraternity house.

The controversy has sparked protests on campus, with demonstrators chanting for Kotlikoff to step down and calling for an end to fraternities. The incident occurred in October 2024, when a student, identified only as Jane Doe, alleged she was sexually assaulted by multiple members of the Chi Phi fraternity after being pressured to drink alcohol and take drugs.

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Kotlikoff has faced criticism for his leadership during the crisis, with some students accusing him of not taking accountability for the university’s actions. Despite the backlash, Kotlikoff has called the allegations ‘deeply disturbing’ and reaffirmed his commitment to supporting an independent review of the case.

Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)

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