More than 1,000 protesters descended on Cornell University’s campus Monday demanding President Michael Kotlikoff resign over his administration’s handling of an alleged fraternity gang rape.
The massive crowd of students, faculty, Ithaca locals and outraged visitors gathered at the center of the Ivy League campus in Ithaca, New York, carrying signs that read “We are all Jane Doe,” “Alcohol is not consent” and “Support survivors, listen to students.” The demonstration followed the filing of a lawsuit last month by a woman identified in court papers only as Jane Doe, who alleged that seven fraternity brothers plied her with ketamine and alcohol in October 2024 before coercing her into an hours-long sexual assault she was too inebriated to resist.
The crowd erupted in cheers and chants as speakers called for sweeping consequences. “F–k Kotlikoff! Justice for Jane Doe. Kotlikoff has to go. Justice for Jane Doe! All the frats have got to go!” protesters chanted at one point. Various speakers demanded that Cornell’s fraternities be kicked off campus entirely, while others insisted that accused brothers who had already graduated have their diplomas revoked and those still enrolled be expelled.
Sophomore Jack Huber, 19, said he would tell Doe directly: “You’re incredibly brave for this, and change will come because of this.”
“All seven of those men should face criminal courts for their actions that night,” he added. “Cornell is not interested in justice.”
Local resident Stephanie Elmira voiced similar anger. “I’m pissed,” she said. “I want Jane Doe to know she’s supported.”
Protesters also called for fundamental changes to how the university handles sexual assault cases. “Students demand an external investigation of Cornell’s administration and a return to an independent judicial system,” they said. “We want a judicial system where faculty, administration and students have equal say in who decides the faith of our campus and its people.”
The case has drawn intensifying scrutiny because no criminal charges have ever been filed against any of the accused men. The initial probe was closed after what was described as a cursory investigation by campus police, with no follow-up by the local district attorney. Ithaca city police were never notified of the woman’s allegations.
It was only after Doe filed her lawsuit last month that public outrage grew large enough to prompt the district attorney to agree to reopen an investigation. The district attorney said he had been unaware of all the information contained in her suit.
Cornell’s own disciplinary process resulted in just two of the seven accused brothers being expelled, a outcome that fueled much of Monday’s anger. Some protesters went so far as to call for violence against the accused, referred to in signs and chants as the “Cornell 7.”
The alleged assault took place in October 2024, but Doe did not come forward with her accusations until two years later. Many protesters praised her for that delayed disclosure. The lawsuit she filed last month named both the university and the seven men as defendants, alleging that the fraternity brothers deliberately drugged her and then took turns assaulting her over multiple hours while she lacked the capacity to resist.