Story perspectives

U.S. attorney reopens Cornell Chi Phi assault probe

By Drooid · Oct 1, 2026, 2:25 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Van Houten Reopens Probe

U.S. attorney Matthew Van Houten announced reopening the probe of the 2024 Cornell Chi Phi assault.
Cornell University said it supports the decision and will cooperate with the grand jury.
The Title IX investigation, begun Jan 2025, held 12 hearings and imposed expulsions and suspensions.
Ithaca Mayor Robert Cantelmo called for a moratorium on Greek life events pending protocol review.

Summary

Van Houten Skips Review

District Attorney Matthew Van Houten admitted he never reviewed the Cornell police interview transcript before declining to charge.
The transcript shows Jane Doe’s interview with campus police began on Nov. 14, 2024 and continued the next day.
Doe told investigators she was “super drunk,” recalled being hit, and said she was “completely incapacitated.”
Defense attorney Jeremy Saland said a hair follicle test found no ketamine in his client’s system, contradicting the lawsuit.

Summary

Chaudhuri Calls Review

College advisers report seven early-decision applicants withdrew from Cornell after the fraternity rape lawsuit.
A 2025 campus-wide survey found 35% of Cornell undergraduate women reported sexual assault.
Student government president Eeshaan Chaudhuri called for a fresh review of the university’s initial investigation.
Professor Elizabeth Allan warned that past Greek-life reforms have failed to transform entrenched misconduct.

History

Historical Context

The 2024-25 Cornell Chi Phi assault probe continues a pattern of campus misconduct prompting stronger oversight, echoing how the Rust community responded to internal disputes by establishing the Rust Foundation in 2021. That governance shift followed Mozilla’s 2020 layoff of 250 employees, illustrating a broader move toward formal accountability structures after crises.

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Van Houten Reopens Probe

U.S. attorney Matthew Van Houten announced reopening the probe of the 2024 Cornell Chi Phi assault.
Cornell University said it supports the decision and will cooperate with the grand jury.
The Title IX investigation, begun Jan 2025, held 12 hearings and imposed expulsions and suspensions.
Ithaca Mayor Robert Cantelmo called for a moratorium on Greek life events pending protocol review.

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