Cornell University Hires Sally Yates to Lead Independent Sexual Assault Review
Cornell University trustees announced on October 6, 2026, that former United States Deputy Attorney General Sally Yates will lead an independent internal review examining how the institution handles allegations of sexual assault and harassment, following a civil lawsuit filed by a former student.
The Scope of the Yates Review and Institutional Oversight
Yates, now a partner at the law firm King & Spalding, will examine Cornell’s sexual assault investigations, disciplinary procedures, campus police responses, and the university’s oversight of fraternities. The review was prompted by widespread criticism over the university’s response to an October 2024 incident involving a former student, identified in court filings as Jane Doe, who alleged she was assaulted by multiple members of the Chi Phi fraternity.
Anne Meinig Smalling, chair of Cornell’s Board of Trustees, stated that the examination goes beyond a single case. “We have asked Ms. Yates and her team to examine Cornell’s overall approach to preventing and responding to sexual misconduct, identify where we are doing things well and where we can do better, and recommend changes that will help make our community safer,” Smalling said. The review will cover policies across prevention, how reports are received and investigated, student support systems, disciplinary hearings, and coordination with outside law enforcement agencies.
Jane Doe Files Civil Lawsuit Against University
In September, the case returned to public scrutiny when Jane Doe filed a civil lawsuit against the university, the fraternity, and seven former students. No criminal charges have been filed in the case. Cornell stated it previously expelled some students and suspended others following its own internal investigation, and the Chi Phi chapter was shut down.
Tompkins County District Attorney Matthew Van Houten previously stated that the student’s statements to police did not provide evidence that the men broke the law, though he noted he would look into the matter again following the civil lawsuit. Meanwhile, New York Governor Kathy Hochul appointed New York Attorney General Letitia James as a special prosecutor to conduct a separate criminal investigation into the allegations.
Campus Response and Faculty Skepticism
The university’s actions have drawn mixed reactions from the campus community. Students held rallies in Ithaca, New York, on October 5, 2026, protesting the administration’s initial handling of the allegations. Cornell President Michael Kotlikoff addressed the community in a video message on Saturday, stating that the university is committed to finding answers.
Faculty members have expressed doubts regarding the efficacy of external investigators. Risa L. Lieberwitz, a professor of labor and employment law and a member of the faculty senate, said that hiring an investigator and creating a task force will not necessarily lead to institutional change without formally involving campus stakeholders who have expertise in gender violence. David Bateman, president of Cornell’s American Association of University Professors chapter, voiced skepticism regarding whether the review would be genuinely independent, pointing to past university investigations that felt like cover ups to faculty.
Yates previously led a 2022 investigation into sexual abuse and misconduct in the National Women’s Soccer League, which uncovered systemic failures. Her findings from the Cornell review will be reported to a special committee of the Board of Trustees, which plans to share the results and recommendations with the broader Cornell community.
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