Home · Politics · Oct 6 archive
Cornell Hires Sally Yates to Review Sexual Misconduct Cases
Confirmed
In Short: Cornell University has appointed former Deputy Attorney General Sally Yates to lead an independent review of the university's handling of sexual misconduct cases.
Cornell University announced on Tuesday that it has hired former U.S. Deputy Attorney General Sally Yates to lead an independent review of the university's handling of sexual misconduct cases.
Yates will spearhead a comprehensive review into how Cornell prevents and responds to sexual harassment, sexual assault, and related misconduct on campus, including the handling of a 2024 fraternity gang rape allegation.
The review will cover Cornell's policies, practices, and resources across the full range of prevention and response, including the university's response to the Jane Doe case.
Jane Doe, a former student, alleged in November 2024 that she was sexually assaulted by multiple Chi Phi fraternity brothers after being pressured into drinking and taking drugs.
The review will assess Cornell's organization, staffing, and resources; policies and procedures; student support services; investigative and adjudicative processes; discipline and remediation; relationships with outside support organizations; and law-enforcement practices and coordination.
Yates and her team will report their findings and recommendations directly to a special committee of the Board of Trustees, which will then share the results with the broader Cornell community.
Cornell President Michael Kotlikoff said in a video message, “We don’t have all the answers, but we are committed to investigating and finding the answers our community deserves.”
The review comes amid renewed criticism of Cornell’s handling of the Jane Doe case and a criminal investigation by New York’s attorney general.
Yates, who served as deputy attorney general during the Obama administration and as acting attorney general at the start of Donald Trump’s presidency, brings extensive experience to the review.
The Special Committee of Cornell's Board of Trustees, chaired by Anne Meinig Smalling, said, “Sally Yates brings extraordinary experience, independence, and judgment to this work.”
What this adds
The review will be separate from the criminal investigation being conducted by New York Attorney General Letitia James.
Yates' review will also assess Cornell's practices against applicable requirements under Title IX, the Clery Act, the Violence Against Women Act's Campus SaVE Act, and New York State law, as well as recognized best practices in higher education for preventing and responding to sexual misconduct.
Cornell's response to the Jane Doe case has been criticized for not passing on key information to the district attorney, leading to no criminal charges being filed against the alleged attackers.
Background
Cornell University announced Tuesday that it has hired former U.S. Deputy Attorney General Sally Yates to lead an independent review of the university's handling of sexual misconduct cases.
What's confirmed
- AP Photo/Matt Rourke By Aaron Katersky Tuesday, October 6, 2026 7:00PM Share Cornell University announced on Tuesday that former U.S. Deputy Attorney General Sally Q.
- Cornell taps former US Deputy Attorney General Sally Yates to lead independent review amid fallout from fraternity gang rape allegations - ABC11 Raleigh-Durham 24/7 Live Raleigh Durham Fayetteville Surrounding Area Cornell taps former deputy AG Sally Yates to lead independent review The Special Committee of Cornell's Board of Trustees appointed Yates.
- Yates has been retained to lead a "comprehensive independent review" into how the school "prevents and responds to sexual harassment, sexual assault and related misconduct on campus" amid allegations of a fraternity house gang rape.
- "Sally Yates brings extraordinary experience, independence and judgment to this work," said Anne Meinig Smalling, chair of Cornell's Board of Trustees.
- "It is imperative that Cornell be willing to examine itself with the same rigor we expect of others. We want to understand not just what happened in 2024, but how Cornell can become a leader in preventing sexual violence, supporting those who come forward and responding to allegations rigorously, fairly and compassionately," Smalling said.
- "The questions raised by the Jane Doe matter warrant a rigorous examination of Cornell's response to that case, but our responsibility is broader. 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."
- A newly formed Special Committee of the Cornell University Board of Trustees announced today that it has retained former U.S. Deputy Attorney General Sally Q.
- As part of that broader mandate, Yates and her team will conduct a detailed review of the University’s response to the allegations involving Jane Doe and members of the Chi Phi fraternity in October 2024, including whether Cornell followed its policies and procedures in responding to the matter.
- Yates and King & Spalding will have full independence in conducting the review and will report their findings and recommendations directly to the Special Committee.
- The case has rocked the university and started conversations about the treatment of alleged sexual assault on college campuses.
- The review, according to the Special Committee's statement, will assess Cornell's practices against applicable requirements under Title IX, the Clery Act, the Violence Against Women Act's Campus SaVE Act and New York State law, as well as recognized best practices in higher education for preventing and responding to sexual misconduct.
- Tompkins County District Attorney Matthew Van Houten said he reviewed the six-page Cornell Police Department's summary of the woman's statement that same month and decided based on that information that although the conduct in the case was "morally disturbing," it did not constitute a crime.
What's still developing
- Tanya Rivero has the latest on Cornell's gang rape complaint from the newsroom.
- Yates served in the Justice Department for decades, until she was fired by President Donald Trump in 2017 for "refusing to enforce a legal order designed to protect the citizens of the United States," the White House said at the time.
- Yates' firing came after she said she was "not convinced" an immigration order by Mr. Trump was "lawful," and that the Justice Department would not defend it in court "until I become convinced that it is appropriate to do so."
- Trump was "lawful," and that the Justice Department would not defend it in court "until I become convinced that it is appropriate to do so." In private practice, she investigated allegations of abuse, misconduct and harassment at the National Women's Soccer League.
- Soccer’s independent investigation into allegations of abusive behavior and sexual misconduct in women’s professional soccer.
- Cornell brings in ex-Justice official Sally Yates to review school’s handling of sex assault claims | Effingham Radio You are using an outdated browser.
Sources
- 607 News Nowlink
- ABC News - Breaking News, Latest News and Videoslink
- ABC11 Newslink
- Al Jazeeralink
- Bozeman Daily Chroniclelink
- CBS Newslink
- Cornell Universitylink
- Effingham Radiolink
- Justthenewslink
- Mediaitelink
- NBC Newslink
- NPRlink
- News Channel 3-12link
- Newschannel9link
- Seattletimeslink
- thetimestribune.comlink
- CBS New York — video link