Cornell Appoints Yates to Review Chi Phi Assault Response

Cornell University has appointed former Deputy Attorney General Sally Yates to lead an independent review of the university's handling of sexual assault allegations involving Chi Phi fraternity members after a lawsuit by Jane Doe alleged she was assaulted at a fraternity house in Ithaca, New York, in October 2024.

The review follows scrutiny of Cornell's response to allegations involving the Chi Phi fraternity. According to Fox News, Yates and her firm King & Spalding will examine internal documents, case files, Greek organization oversight records, law enforcement communications and disciplinary hearing records.

According to The New York Times, Cornell suspended Chi Phi on Nov. 8, 2024, after concerns involving suspected drug use. The university later sent a campus alert describing a reported sexual assault at Edgemoor Lane, where the fraternity house was located.

The alert included the wording "Crime ALERT: Sexual Assault — Edgemoor Lane, City of Ithaca." The notice was sent by Cornell University in a campus communication, according to The New York Times.

Members of Chi Phi exchanged messages after the alert, with one member questioning whether the dates matched a fraternity event. "Dates don’t add up," a Chi Phi member wrote in a group chat, according to The New York Times.

The messages referenced an Oct. 19, 2024 party known as Hawaiian Night. Matthew Ingalls, a sophomore studying math and economics, asked other members about how to respond.

"What’s the plan of action?" Matthew Ingalls, a sophomore studying math and economics, wrote.

Ingalls had communicated with the woman after the party and offered to contact her again, according to text messages reviewed by The New York Times. He also expressed his belief about whether she would report the incident.

"I don’t think she would have reported this," Matthew Ingalls, a sophomore studying math and economics, wrote.

The lawsuit filed by Jane Doe described sexual encounters with multiple Chi Phi members that she said occurred while she was incapacitated by ketamine and alcohol. The allegations are being examined through separate university and external reviews.

Yates was selected because of her Justice Department background and experience conducting independent investigations. Cornell said the firm was chosen for its experience with higher education institutions and investigative work.

"their expertise in higher education and extensive experience conducting independent investigations for boards and institutions." Cornell University said in a statement.

Yates previously served as acting attorney general during the Trump administration transition before being dismissed after refusing to direct Justice Department lawyers to defend a travel restriction order.

"The acting Attorney General, Sally Yates, has betrayed the Department of Justice by refusing to enforce a legal order designed to protect the citizens of the United States," the White House said in a statement announcing her dismissal.

Yates later explained her position on the legal responsibilities of the Justice Department in a letter after her dismissal.

"My responsibility is to ensure that the position of the Department of Justice is not only legally defensible, but is informed by our best view of what the law is after consideration of all the facts," Sally Yates, former acting attorney general, wrote.

She added that the department's court positions should align with its broader obligation to seek justice.

"In addition, I am responsible for ensuring that the positions we take in court remain consistent with this institution’s solemn obligation to always seek justice and stand for what is right." Sally Yates, former acting attorney general, wrote.

Cornell also faces a separate investigation led by New York Attorney General Letitia James, while Yates' review will focus on whether the university followed its policies and procedures in responding to the allegations.

"As part of that broader mandate, Yates and her team will conduct a detailed review of the university’s response to the allegations involving Jane Doe and members of the Chi Phi fraternity in October 2024, including whether Cornell followed its policies and procedures in responding to the matter," Cornell University said in a statement.