Cornell University trustees have announced the appointment of Sally Yates, a former high-ranking Department of Justice official, to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the university’s handling of sexual misconduct complaints. This move follows public outcry over allegations of a gang rape at a fraternity house in 2024. Yates, who served as deputy attorney general in the Obama administration, will lead the review, focusing on how Cornell investigates reports of sexual assault and harassment, the effectiveness of the disciplinary process, campus police responses, and other related aspects.
Trustee chair Anne Meinig Smalling emphasized the importance of Cornell’s willingness to conduct a thorough self-examination, similar to the scrutiny expected of others. The decision to engage Yates comes in the wake of protests and criticism surrounding Cornell’s response to a complaint from an anonymous woman, referred to as Jane Doe. She reported to campus police in November 2024 that she had been sexually assaulted by multiple members of the Chi Phi fraternity following coercion into consuming alcohol and drugs.
While no criminal charges have been filed, Cornell took action by closing the Chi Phi chapter, expelling some students, and suspending others. Yates will also review the handling of the woman’s complaint and oversee the governance of fraternities, sororities, and other campus organizations, according to the university.
In response to the lawsuit filed by the woman against the university, former students, the fraternity, and others, lawyers representing two of the accused individuals have denied their involvement in the alleged assault. Court records revealed that during Cornell’s investigation under the Title IX law, some students claimed the sexual activity was consensual.
The lawsuit has drawn national attention to the allegations and the responses of campus authorities and legal entities. New York’s attorney general has initiated a criminal investigation, and the governor has called for an independent evaluation of Cornell’s handling of the matter, a task now entrusted to Yates. Recent protests on campus demanded increased accountability, transparency, revisions to the disciplinary process, and other reforms.
Yates, known for her distinguished career at the Justice Department, including her notable actions during the early days of the Trump administration, brings a wealth of experience to this critical review. Since leaving the Justice Department, she has been engaged in private practice, conducting independent investigations for various organizations and companies. One of her significant investigations involved allegations of abuse and misconduct in the National Women’s Soccer League, culminating in findings of systemic abuse in 2022.