Metro Manila, Philippines – Cornell University president Michael Kotlikoff addressed the ‘Cornell Seven’ case in a statement video posted on Oct. 3, stating that the New York, USA institution is committed to doing better.
The statement follows the civil lawsuit filed against seven members of the Chi Phi fraternity by a former student identified as “Jane Doe,” the lawsuit alleges that she was sexually assaulted by multiple members after she was coerced into consuming drugs in 2024.
The lawsuit also brings claims against the university for negligence.
“What happened to Jane Doe in 2024 is deeply disturbing and will weigh heavily on our community for years to come,” Kotlikoff said.
He pledged that the administration and Cornell community must do better to prevent similar situations from happening again, by providing support to victims as well as investigating allegations rigorously and fairly.
“We must create an environment in which people who experience sexual assault feel safe coming forward and are treated with compassion and dignity,” he said.
Kolitkoff says the institution supports New York Governor Kathy Hochul’s decision to reopen and turn over the case to Attorney General Letitia James.
“This is a defining moment in Cornell’s history, we must lead the way. We owe it to Jane Doe and to survivors of assault to get this right,” Kolitkoff concluded.
‘Jane Doe’ solidarity movement
The issue has drawn reactions from the internet, with many sharing their thoughts on the issue and their own experiences to show support for the victim.
Lea Salonga joined the movement in a Threads post on Oct. 4, recalling a similar experience of her relative.
“I still clearly remember the day one of my cousins sat me down and told me what had happened to her, at the hands of someone she was supposed to trust. Already I knew him to be a bastard, a lowlife, an asshole from the stories my mother told me of him. And then this new revelation. When I heard he died, I celebrated. If given the chance, I’d dance on his grave,” the actress-singer shared.
Olivia Rodrigo, on her Instagram story, condemned Cornell University and other institutions who choose to protect abusers over victims.
“What she lived through matters, and so does the failure of those who could have intervened but chose not to,” the singer said.
English actress Florence Pugh also spoke out on the issue in an Instagram post, “There is no equality until you respect our bodies. There is no equality until you stop damaging our souls. There is no equality until you let us live. There is no equality until we can say we feel safe.”
NewsWatch Plus intern Janna Sanchez contributed to this report.
