Cornell Responds to Jane Doe's Letter Saying She Felt Disbelieved, Unsupported by School President
Updated on: October 20, 2026 / 8:09 PM EDT / CBS News
TL;DR
- Jane Doe, a former Cornell student, accused President Michael Kotlikoff of making comments that made her feel disbelieved after she reported sexual assault allegations.
- Doe alleges Kotlikoff's comment, 'Why did she wait so long to report it?', expressed doubt in her story.
- Cornell University disputes Doe's account, stating the comment was directed at bystanders, not her, and was not questioning her report.
- Doe reported the alleged assault in November 2024, occurring at the Chi Phi fraternity house.
- The incident and the university's handling of the report are part of a civil lawsuit filed by Jane Doe.
- A former Chi Phi fraternity president was dropped from the lawsuit, with his attorney stating he was not president at the time of the alleged assault.