Cornell expels two, suspends two over 2024 Chi Phi assault claims

October 5, 2026 at 01:44 AM2 min

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Cornell University expelled two fraternity members and suspended two others over a 2024 sexual assault allegation at the Chi Phi house. A third member was barred from campus after graduating, and two received lighter sanctions. The university's disciplinary panel issued the rulings in May 2025 after closed hearings.

Key Facts

Two Chi Phi fraternity members were expelled from Cornell University over the October 19, 2024 incident.
A third member who had already graduated was barred from campus, and two others were suspended.
The Tompkins County district attorney declined to prosecute the case in 2024, and none of the men have been charged with a crime.
The three-member Title IX panel met on Zoom over 12 days in May 2025 to decide the sanctions.
Jane Doe filed a lawsuit on September 16, 2025, alleging she was incapable of consent due to severe intoxication.

Disciplinary Sanctions

The lightest punishment required writing a paper and completing training, while the most severe was expulsion. Two fraternity members were expelled, and one who had already graduated was barred from campus. Two more members were suspended, and the remaining men received lighter punishments. The sanctions were imposed by a three-member panel that met on Zoom over 12 days in May 2025.

Investigation and Legal Action

Cornell investigators gathered more than 1,000 pages of interview transcripts, police reports, and other records. The panel did not conclude that Jane Doe was sexually assaulted by all the men she had accused. The Tompkins County district attorney declined to prosecute in 2024, and none of the men have been charged with a crime. Jane Doe filed a lawsuit on September 16, 2025, claiming she was severely intoxicated and incapable of consent.

Campus and Community Reaction

The Chi Phi fraternity has been banned from Cornell's campus. The allegations have sparked intense anger over sexual abuse on campus and calls for stronger punishment. Others have criticized what they see as a rush to judge the seven men involved. All seven men have denied any wrongdoing.