Cornell accuser to remain 'Jane Doe' throughout civil trial…as judge issues stern warning to those trying to expose her identity

A former Cornell University student known as Jane Doe has stated that she felt unsupported and disbelieved by university President Michael Kotlikoff following her report of a gang rape. In a two-page letter dated October 14, obtained by media outlets and released publicly on Tuesday, Doe described receiving a second-hand account of Kotlikoff’s reaction to her complaint. She wrote that his initial response appeared to be, “Why did she wait so long to report it?” Doe submitted the letter to the university’s Faculty Senate ahead of their scheduled vote on October 28 regarding a no-confidence motion against the president. The alleged assault occurred on October 19, 2024, at the Chi Phi fraternity house in Ithaca, New York. Doe, who was a 20-year-old sophomore at the time, reported the incident to campus police on November 8, 2024, approximately three weeks after the event. Her civil lawsuit alleges that seven fraternity members drugged her with ketamine and alcohol, leaving her completely incapacitated, before engaging in sexual acts without her consent. The suit further claims that Snapchat messages describing her as sexually available circulated among fraternity members without her knowledge. All seven men have denied the accusations, stating either that their interactions were consensual or that they were not involved. Cornell University disputed Doe’s characterization of the president’s remarks in a statement issued on Tuesday. A university spokesperson said the description in the letter was incorrect based on a documented first-hand account. According to the university, Kotlikoff’s question about the delay in reporting was directed at bystanders who failed to use Cornell’s anonymous tip line, despite ongoing social media activity about the incident in October 2024. The spokesperson emphasized that Kotlikoff was not questioning Jane Doe’s reporting. The university confirmed it had received the letter from Doe’s lawyer. Doe wrote that the perceived lack of empathy diminished her confidence in the administration’s ability to handle her experience with the understanding, sensitivity, and fairness she expected from her dream school. She stated she shared the account because she believed only a few individuals were aware of the conversation and wanted the faculty to have all relevant information before voting. Paul Ortiz, a labor history professor who sponsored the no-confidence resolution, told reporters that the university had withheld the text from faculty until it was published in the press. He accused the institution of treating the rape as a public relations problem rather than a heinous crime. Other faculty members expressed deep disturbance over the handling of the case, with some recording sessions noting a lack of emotional response from the president. During a recent session of the Faculty Senate, Kotlikoff addressed the body directly. He acknowledged that the entire community was upset by the events of October 2024. He highlighted institutional changes already implemented in response to the allegations, including the ban on fraternity parties. Staff members testified that sexual misconduct on campus represented a systemic issue requiring systemic attention. One professor noted that students had told faculty they felt unsafe walking to the library after dark. Legal proceedings related to the incident are currently underway. On Friday, Judge Phaedra Perry-Bond of the Supreme Court of the State of New York granted Doe’s motion to remain anonymous under the pseudonym Jane Doe throughout her civil trial against the seven men and the university. The ruling came without opposition from the defense. Judge Perry-Bond determined that Doe’s privacy interests outweighed the general presumption of public court proceedings, citing the notoriety of the allegations and widespread reports of malicious actors threatening those involved. Doe argued that public identification could expose her to retribution, harm her social life and career, and endanger her family. She also cited experiences of extreme anxiety, depression, and insomnia. The judge included a warning in the order, stating that attempts to harass or threaten Doe, the defendants, or attorneys involved could constitute a federal crime leading to prosecution. While Doe will remain anonymous in public filings, the individually named defendants will continue to be identified. The judge indicated that protections for sensitive personal information, such as home addresses and contact details, should also extend to the defendants, inviting their attorneys to propose specific safeguards. Exceptions may apply if private disclosure becomes necessary during the discovery process. Prior to the civil lawsuit, campus police investigated the allegations and sent a summary of their findings to the Tompkins County District Attorney’s office. The prosecutor declined to bring criminal charges. Cornell subsequently conducted a Title IX investigation. As a result of the incident, the Chi Phi chapter at Cornell was shut down. The university expelled some students and suspended others. Last week, Cornell suspended all parties and social events at fraternity houses through the end of the 2026-27 academic year. The university also implemented a new zero-tolerance policy that mandates immediate suspension of chapters for violations. The campus police force, which operates independently from municipal police in Ithaca, holds full law enforcement powers but is controlled by the university. Crimes on campus are generally investigated by this department. The legal battle continues as both sides prepare for trial, with the judge emphasizing that allowing the pseudonym preserves public access to the case without resorting to sealing dockets or closing courtrooms. The Faculty Senate is set to conclude its deliberations on the no-confidence vote later this month.