Fastrack · Cornell Accuser Says President's Response Left Her Disbelieved

Jane Doe, who accuses seven former Chi Phi members of raping her, sent Cornell's Faculty Senate a letter. It says Kotlikoff questioned why she delayed reporting.

Her sorority president relayed the remark from a January 2025 meeting.
Cornell says Kotlikoff asked why bystanders did not use its tip line.
Three weeks passed between the alleged assault and her campus police report.
Seven accused men deny wrongdoing; none has been charged with a crime.

Why it matters: Faculty are considering a resolution of no confidence in the administration's handling of sexual assault. The letter puts the president's own conduct into that debate.

Doe wrote she is not telling senators how to vote.
An unnamed professor questioned when the dean of faculty disclosed the letter.

The story so far

12 steps · since Oct 7

Oct 7Cornell 7 Accused in Alleged Gang Rape Case52 sources
Oct 8–10
Oct 11Cornell 7 Accused of Gang Rape at Campus Party46 sources
Oct 12
Oct 131:27 PMCornell Suspends Fraternity Parties Over Gang Rape Allegations49 sources
Oct 1310:03 PMCornell President Admits Missteps Over Alleged Fraternity Assaults24 sources
Oct 17
Oct 20Cornell Accuser Says President's Response Left Her DisbelievedYou are hereLatest

How 12 sources split on this story

Source landscape

Factuality

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Political Bias

Coverage by lean% of 12 sources

12 sources · 14 articles · 50% Center coverage

Where they split: The dispute is whether Kotlikoff's question targeted Jane Doe's reporting or bystanders who stayed silent.

Center coverage, 6 sources: The center pairs her claim with Cornell's denial, treating the remark as a disputed account.

Yahoo News5h'Jane Doe' says Cornell president questioned why she waited to report rape allegations. The university disputes it.CTV News4hWoman who accused Cornell students of rape says president's response made her feel 'disbelieved'BBC News4hJane Doe says embattled Cornell head Kotlikoff doubted her gang-rape claim PBS NewsHour54mWoman who accused Cornell students of rape says university president's response made her feel 'unsupported'USA Today1hJane Doe says she felt 'disbelieved' by Cornell leaders WFLA News Channel 82hWoman who accused Cornell students of rape says president's response made her feel 'unsupported'

Left coverage, 5 sources: The left centers Jane Doe's account of feeling disbelieved, with Cornell's rebuttal following her claim.

The Independent1hJane Doe says Cornell president questioned why she took so long to report rape NBC News6hJane Doe says Cornell president appeared to question her allegations in letter to Faculty Senate CBS News4hCornell responds to Jane Doe's letter saying she felt disbelieved, unsupported by school president CNN34mJane Doe said she felt ‘unsupported and disbelieved’ by Cornell president in letter sent to faculty leaders The Boston Globe8hCornell Jane Doe sends letter to faculty senate

Right1 source

The Washington Times4hWoman who accused Cornell students of rape says president's response made her feel 'disbelieved'

What’s next: The Faculty Senate is expected to resume debate Oct. 28, then hold an electronic vote.

Dean Chris Schaffer sent the letter to the review led by Sally Yates.
A former Chi Phi president was dropped from Doe's civil lawsuit Tuesday.
Will the Yates review examine the January 2025 meeting and its documented account?
Did other attendees view Kotlikoff's question as aimed at Jane Doe?