Cornell University president says university 'must do better' in new statement

NEW YORK -- After "one of the most difficult weeks in our history," Cornell President Michael I. Kotlikoff said Saturday that the university "must do better."

"What happened to Jane Doe in 2024 is deeply disturbing and will weigh heavily on our community for years to come. My heart aches when I think of what she experienced. It raises heartbreaking and troubling issues about sexual assault, dehumanization and aspects of party culture, alcohol and drug use," Kotlikoff said in a videotaped message released by Cornell.

"We must do everything we can to prevent what happened to Jane Doe, and everyone before her, and anyone after her, from ever happening again."

Kotlikoff promised this "will not be a moment that passes." Rather he called the alleged rape of Jane Doe "a defining moment" for Cornell and pledged to take "every step necessary to make Cornell an institution that leads not just in what we say about these issues, but in the work we do to address them."

Kotlikoff said the university's board of trustees will announce next week which outside law firm will conduct an independent review of Cornell's handling of Jane Doe's allegations.

"We must have systems that are trauma-informed and provide survivors the services they need. We must also investigate allegations rigorously and fairly, including providing due process," Kotlikoff said.

"I also hear the frustration that Cornell has not communicated enough about what the university did after the assault was reported, which has led to distrust. There are real legal and privacy limits on what we can say. But we will make a greater effort to explain what we can, to provide context about the actions Cornell has taken, and to be more transparent."