Bill Maher Criticizes Cornell and Greek Life Over Rape Case

Bill Maher criticized Cornell University and fraternity culture during the October 9 episode of Real Time With Bill Maher, addressing allegations involving a female student and members of the Chi Phi fraternity at his alma mater while explaining his views on Greek life.

The 70-year-old host said he had personal ties to Cornell but argued the allegations required attention beyond his connection to the university. He discussed the case during his New Rule segment.

"Now that everyone is talking about Cornell, stop asking me about it just because I went there," Maher said.

Maher followed the opening remark by explaining his distance from current campus events and his time as a student.

"First of all, I graduated almost 10 years ago. How would I know?" Maher said.

He then described the allegations involving the Chi Phi fraternity house as disturbing while noting his personal history with Cornell.

"What I do know is this alleged gang rape at the Cornell Chi Phi frat house is deeply disturbing. But since it's my alma mater, where I walked those hallowed halls for four years with so many memories, I don't want to let my personal feelings get in the way," Maher said.

Maher said his overall feelings toward the university were negative while also acknowledging the education he received there.

"Because they're all bad," Maher said.

He added a strong criticism of Cornell before shifting toward broader comments about fraternity culture.

"Cornell sucks, and I f***ing hated it, and I'm glad to see them eating a s*** sandwich," Maher said.

Maher later recognized a positive aspect of his experience while arguing similar incidents could occur at other fraternity systems.

"did give me a very good education," Maher said.

He also addressed the possibility of similar incidents occurring elsewhere among fraternities.

"could have happened anywhere there are fraternities because it happens everywhere there are fraternities," Maher said.

Maher argued that exclusive male environments can create harmful conditions and referenced broader examples while discussing human behavior.

"Any place that's all-male, no girls allowed just doesn't function without depravity," Maher said.

Maher called for colleges and universities to eliminate Greek life, arguing that tradition alone should not preserve institutions he views as harmful.

"Greek life," Maher said.

He continued by questioning whether longevity should determine whether an institution remains in place.

"There's no law that says we have to keep something alive just because it's 200 years old. I mean, besides Chuck Grassley," Maher said.

Maher then listed behaviors he believes can worsen in fraternity settings, including drinking, peer pressure and bullying.

"Everything that's inherently bad about men gets worse if you put them in a fraternity. The drinking gets worse, the cruelty, the treatment of women, the tribalism, the peer pressure, oneupmanship, conformity, segregation, nepotism, bullying, elitism, and just general a**holery," Maher said.

Maher also discussed the allegations involving the woman known as Jane Doe and described the circumstances surrounding the reported encounter at a fraternity house.

"went to a frat house drunk and did ketamine. And for that, she claims to have paid a price no woman should have to pay," Maher said.

He concluded his segment by defining what he believed responsible behavior should look like in that situation.

"I do know what a gentleman is. A gentleman, gentleman, is someone who, in that situation, doesn't exploit the woman. He saves her. That's a gentleman," Maher said.