Cornell Agrees to Independent Investigation of How It Handled Gang Rape Allegations

Cornell University Agrees To Independent Review Into Rape Claim Response Published September 30, 2026 3:46 PM PDT Cornell has agreed to an independent investigation that will look into the way the University handled the alleged 2024 gang rape of a female student. New York Governor Kathy Hochul called for the probe, and she tells ABC News the Ivy League school is on board. She told the outlet ... "I wanted to make sure they knew how important this was, and they absolutely agreed. And they're acting on this this afternoon." Hochul says the point of the investigation is to determine whether or not the University did all it could to protect its student. She said ... "People need to know the truth and I think it's important for the public, for the victim, her family and the University community to know that their University did everything that they're supposed to do." Hochul insists the way in which women are treated on college campuses needs to change. This comes after Tompkins County District Attorney Matthew Van Houten reopened the case ... in the wake of Jane Doe's civil suit alleging she was drugged and sexually assaulted by 7 members of the Chi Phi fraternity. Related articles Kathy Hochul Matthew Van Houten Allegations Cornell Rape Crime Legal News