Cornell University President Michael Kotlikoff released a video statement on Saturday addressing a 2024 rape allegation that has sparked significant public outcry. In the message, Kotlikoff expressed that he was “deeply disturbed” by the incident and stated that his “heart aches” for the student involved, referred to in legal documents as Jane Doe. He emphasized the university's responsibility to implement measures to prevent similar occurrences in the future.

This public address comes in the wake of a civil lawsuit filed last month by the student. The legal action names Cornell University, its leadership, and the Chi Phi fraternity as defendants. While the university president has now publicly acknowledged the severity of the situation, the legal proceedings remain ongoing. The university has not yet provided specific details regarding the internal policy changes or investigative steps Kotlikoff alluded to in his video message, nor has the Chi Phi fraternity issued a formal public response to the allegations contained within the lawsuit.