New York State Police will investigate future sexual assault complaints at Cornell University under an agreement announced Thursday by Governor Kathy Hochul, following criticism of the university’s handling of allegations that a woman was gang-raped at a campus fraternity house.

Under the agreement between the state police and Cornell, complaints involving sexual offences will be referred for a criminal investigation by state police rather than handled solely by campus police. The referral will occur unless the person making the complaint asks otherwise, Hochul said in a statement.

“When someone reports sexual assault, they deserve to be heard and treated with compassion and know their allegations will be taken seriously and thoroughly investigated,” Hochul said.

The governor described allegations made by a woman identified as Jane Doe as “horrifying.” “Survivors should be able to trust the institutions responsible for protecting them. We cannot afford to let them down,” she said.

The arrangement is the latest development after public concern over Cornell’s response to Jane Doe’s complaint and questions over why no criminal charges were brought. Cornell did not immediately respond to a request for comment made after normal office hours.

Allegations and separate reviews

According to a civil lawsuit filed this year, Jane Doe said she was drugged and gang-raped during a visit to the Chi Phi fraternity house in October 2024. The lawsuit alleges that fraternity members pressured her to take ketamine and sexually assaulted her for several hours while she was too intoxicated to consent.

The suit names seven former Cornell students. Their attorneys have denied the allegations. Some lawyers have said the sexual activity was consensual, while others have challenged claims that their clients took part in the events outlined in the lawsuit.

Cornell expelled or disciplined several students connected to the incident, but criminal charges were not filed.

Hochul had already appointed New York Attorney General Letitia James as a special prosecutor to reopen the criminal investigation into Jane Doe’s complaint. Separately, a committee of Cornell’s board of trustees selected former US Deputy Attorney General Sally Yates to review the university’s response to sexual assault allegations.

Faculty Senate vote

The case has prompted criticism in Ithaca, New York, where students, alumni and advocates have called for more transparency in Cornell’s handling of sexual assault complaints.

Cornell’s Faculty Senate is also proceeding with a no-confidence vote concerning the university administration. The Cornell Daily Sun reported that about 135 members of the governing body can vote on the non-binding resolution from Friday through November 6.

The proposed resolution states: “The Faculty Senate has no confidence in the ability of the central administration to effectively address the ongoing crisis of sexual assault at Cornell University.”