Behind the Ivy League Image: Cornell’s Pattern of Mishandled Sexual Misconduct Cases

Behind the Ivy League Image: Cornell’s Pattern of Mishandled Sexual Misconduct Cases

By Aledandra Quilo

Cornell’s public image is that of a great Ivy League school with many opportunities and activities, but that is only what the public sees. In previous years, there have been many occasions when crimes like gang rape, drugging, and hazing have taken place, and nothing has been done by the University. A recent incident that happened in 2024: a Cornell student known as “Jane Doe” was allegedly drugged and raped by multiple men in October of 2024.

This event, which has resurfaced online, clearly shows the university failing to protect its students. According to the article “Cornell University agrees to independent investigation into alleged rape case,” the investigation resulted in two being expelled, while the others wrote essays and got suspended with no legal consequences. The internet is enraged because there was no legal action and no justice for the student. The Tompkins County District Attorney stated that the evidence was not enough to support criminal charges.

This is not the first time Cornell University has done something like this; another instance is the “Pig Roast,” which took place in 2018 when a Cornell fraternity decided to make a point-based challenge. For every “heavy” woman they slept with, they would earn points depending on their weight. Once Cornell found out about the challenge, the only consequences were probation and a liquor ban. They could have given the fraternity members more serious consequences, yet they did not.

Ultimately, these scandals show the gap between what the public sees and campus reality, as the school clearly favored its reputation by giving light punishments instead of taking accountability for its actions.