New York State Police will investigate all future sexual offence complaints at Cornell University under an agreement announced by Governor Kathy Hochul. The change follows scrutiny of the university's handling of an alleged campus gang rape in 2024 and comes as its administration faces a faculty vote of no confidence.
Hochul said the agreement requires complaints to be referred immediately to state police. Such cases had historically been handled within the jurisdiction of Cornell's university police. Announcing the arrangement on Thursday, she said people reporting sexual assault deserved to have their allegations treated seriously and investigated thoroughly by officers trained to support survivors.
The controversy centres on a student identified anonymously as Jane Doe, who filed a civil lawsuit against Cornell in mid-September. She alleges that seven men drugged and raped her at a university fraternity house in 2024. Her lawsuit also accuses Cornell of failing to protect her and of not adequately punishing the men, who have become known as the Cornell Seven.
Cornell initially defended the disciplinary measures it had taken, but later acknowledged shortcomings in its handling of her case. Criticism of the Ivy League institution has remained intense since the lawsuit was filed, with the response to the allegations now putting further pressure on university leaders.
On Wednesday, Cornell's Faculty Senate met privately and agreed to proceed with a resolution expressing no confidence in the administration, including President Michael Kotlikoff. The senate is a governing body made up of professors and other academic staff. Faculty voting is scheduled to begin on Friday, 30 October, and continue through 6 November.
Although the vote is largely symbolic, it could increase pressure for a change in university leadership. It comes after Cornell announced several measures earlier in October in response to the alleged assault, including plans to add sexual assault investigators to its own police force.
Hochul also intervened earlier in October, appointing New York Attorney General Letitia James as a special prosecutor to oversee a reopened investigation. That inquiry will examine whether criminal charges are warranted. The governor had described herself as deeply disturbed by the handling of the investigation.
In announcing the new policing agreement, Hochul emphasised the responsibility of institutions towards those reporting abuse. “Survivors should be able to trust the institutions responsible for protecting them,” she said.
