Cornell cancels its homecoming concert as students rally behind Jane Doe amid gang rape allegations

Cornell University has canceled its annual homecoming concert as students rally behind the female former student who was allegedly gang-raped by a group of fraternity brothers. The student-run organization Cornell Concert Commission announced on Friday that the event will not take place this school year because they support Jane Doe, an Instagram post read. The woman, who has only been identified as Jane Doe, alleged in a lawsuit last month that she was sexually assaulted after being coerced into drinking and doing drugs at the Chi Phi frat house by seven Chi Phi members. The group said that it will refund those who have already purchased tickets for the scheduled concert, which was supposed to be headlined by the band Between Friends on October 17 at Barton Hall. Tickets were sold for $17, and refunds will be issued within seven to 10 business days, the organization said. 'The Cornell Concert Commission is a student-run organization and, as students, we stand with Jane Doe and all survivors of sexual violence,' the post read. 'It takes so much strength to come forward with such a painful truth, and Jane Doe needs all the support she can get to stay strong during this turbulent time. 'It is essential that we advocate and stand up for those failed by the university's administration. We call on Cornell to create meaningful changes that protect and support survivors.' On Friday, the student-run organization Cornell Concert Commission announced that the event will not take place this school year because they support Jane Doe, an Instagram post read The woman, who has only been identified as Jane Doe, alleged in a lawsuit last month that she was sexually assaulted after being coerced into drinking and doing drugs at the Chi Phi frat house by seven Chi Phi membersThe seven accused men, Umar Matthew Ingalls, Jonathan Newell, Winston Lee, Gillio Lopes, Diego Sarabia, Scott Norris and Scott Kretzschmar, have not been charged with any crimes and deny the allegations. Jane Doe filed a lawsuit against the Ivy League school, the fraternity, the seven men and others in September. In it, she claimed that Ingalls, Newell, Lee, Lopes, Sarabia, Norris and Kretzschmar allegedly gang-raped the female former student at a frat party on October 19, 2024. The alleged victim has claimed that the Chi Phi fraternity members engaged in sexual acts with her while she was incapacitated and without her consent.She also alleged that the men manipulated her into ingesting ketamine and alcohol that night, per the filing.Jane Doe, then a 20-year-old sophomore, first reported the allegations in 2024, but after an investigation by Tompkins County District Attorney Matthew Van Houten, no charges were filed.But after her recent lawsuit, the office has reopened the case, and New York Governor Kathy Hochul has tapped Attorney General Letitia James as special prosecutor.The canceled concert comes as protesters continue to descend on the campus and in locations across the country in support of Jane Doe. Demonstrators take to the street in Washington DC on Thursday night in support of Jane DoeSince the allegations came to light, many have been left furious at the school for how the administration handled the case when the alleged victim first reported it to the school. Ingalls and Newell were both expelled after Jane Doe first reported the alleged assault to the Ivy League university, The New York Times reported. Meanwhile, Lee was suspended for two years and faced several semesters of disciplinary probation when he returned to campus, according to disciplinary summaries seen by the NYT. Lopes was suspended for three semesters, followed by two years of probation. Both of them were also ordered to write essays and study sexual harassment, the summaries stated. Jane Doe has also accused Sarabia of forcibly kissing her that night, according to the lawsuit. He was banned from campus for three years, and a persona non grata order was issued against him after he graduated at the time of the panel's ruling, the outlet stated. The fraternity chapter has since been banned from campus following the school's investigationThe final two men, Norris and Kretzschmar, were told they could not be in contact with Jane Doe, also had to write essays, and had to study sexual harassment and social media use and bystander intervention as a result of the school's investigation two years ago. The fraternity chapter has since been banned from campus following the school's investigation.In announcing the cancelation of the event, the Cornell Concert Commission said it is actively 'working to create a charity concert supporting sexual violence prevention and highlighting the talent within our own community, featuring student bands and DJs.' The group said all donations for that future event will go toward the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN). According to the announcement, the group plans to welcome Between Friends, a sibling pop duo, back to campus 'as soon as schedules allow.'