SU organizations respond to Cornell University sexual assault lawsuit
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Content note: This article includes mentions of sexual assault.
Syracuse University’s Student Government Association and multiple Greek life chapters released statements condemning sexual assault as an active lawsuit against Cornell University for its handling of a 2024 sexual assault case gains national attention.
A former Cornell student said she was gang raped in October 2024 by seven members of the university’s Chi Phi Xi chapter. The victim, known as Jane Doe, said she was coerced into taking drugs and assaulted in the Chi Phi fraternity house.
On Sept. 14, Doe filed a lawsuit against the Chi Phi chapter and the seven members involved, as well as the Cornell Chapter of the Delta Delta Delta and Moonies Bar and Nightclub for their involvement in the incident. The case was reopened by the Tompkins County District Attorney’s office.
The first statement by an SU organization addressing the case was posted via Instagram Tuesday by the Eta chapter of Sigma Alpha Mu, condemning the actions of the Chi Phi chapter and stating that they stand with the survivor.
“The fraternity’s job is to hold brothers accountable to those standards that we as men aspire to represent and uphold,” the statement reads. “Brotherhood cannot be used as a reason for silence or a shield from accountability.”
SU’s SGA released a statement on its Instagram Wednesday condemning all forms of sexual assault and stating that preventing sexual violence requires attention from all parties, including university faculty, staff and leadership.
“Syracuse University has and always will remain dedicated to respecting the dignity, safety, and well-being of every member of our Orange community, regardless of gender, identity, or background,” the statement reads.
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Additional SU chapters within the Interfraternity Council also released statements shortly after.
SU’s Alpha Nu chapter of the Sigma Beta Rho fraternity also posted on Instagram, stating it’s disturbed by the allegations at Cornell, “just an hour away” from SU’s campus.
“We believe it is the ethos of every Greek-lettered organization to be a force for good and service, both on campus and in the wider community,” the statement reads. “When members of our community are victims of harm and violence like this, silence is not an option.”
Over half of SU’s Panhellenic sororities later posted statements, the Omega chapter of Sigma Delta Tau being the first, posting on its Instagram story. The statement highlighted that survivors of sexual assault deserve to be heard and that organizations and institutions need to take allegations seriously.
The Chi chapter of Kappa Alpha Theta also added a statement on its Instagram story standing in solidarity, highlighting the “power in community” in instances of violence against women.
“May this be a wake up call to university administration everywhere to listen to survivors and hold perpetrators of sexual and domestic violence accountable,” the statement reads.
Cornell University updated its FAQ page about the case Wednesday, claiming that it investigated the case when it happened, but that the university’s policies and process regarding sexual assault are distinct from criminal law proceedings.
