Cornell to Hand State Police All Future Sex Crime Cases

New York State Police will take over the investigation of every sexual offense reported at Cornell University starting immediately.

Governor Kathy Hochul made the announcement on Thursday, citing a formal agreement signed with the university. Under this new arrangement, complaints that previously fell under the jurisdiction of campus police will now be referred directly to state agents. Hochul stated that survivors deserve to know their allegations will be taken seriously and thoroughly investigated by law enforcement trained to support them. She added that survivors should be able to trust the institutions responsible for protecting them.

The decision follows intense backlash over the handling of a 2024 incident. In mid-September, a student identified as Jane Doe filed a civil lawsuit. She alleged that she was drugged and raped by seven men at a fraternity house on campus. The men have since become known as the Cornell Seven. The university initially defended its disciplinary measures but later acknowledged it fell short in its handling of her case. Hochul described herself as deeply disturbed by how the investigation was managed. Earlier this month, she appointed New York Attorney General Letitia James as a special prosecutor to oversee a reopened investigation into whether criminal charges are warranted.

The university has announced several measures in response to the alleged assault, including adding sexual assault investigators to its police force. However, internal friction remains high. The university’s Faculty Senate, a governing body of professors and academic staff, met behind closed doors on Wednesday. They decided to move forward with a resolution of no-confidence against the administration and President Michael Kotlikoff. Cornell’s administration, including its president, now faces this formal challenge from its own faculty.

The vote is scheduled to open for faculty on Friday. It will run until November 6. While the vote is largely symbolic, it could intensify pressure for leadership changes. The faculty’s decision to act follows the state government’s intervention in how the university handles future criminal complaints.