What will the independent review cover?

Cornell University's board of trustees has appointed former U.S. Deputy Attorney General Sally Yates to carry out an independent internal review of how the school has handled allegations of sexual assault and harassment. The decision was announced after the university came under intense criticism over its response to rape allegations made by a former student.

The review announced on Tuesday will examine how Cornell investigates reports of sexual misconduct and assault, its disciplinary process, the campus police response and the university’s oversight of fraternities. Board chair Anne Meinig Smalling said the university should hold itself to the same level of scrutiny it expects from others.

What is the case at the center of the criticism?

The case back in the spotlight stems from a woman identified in court records as Jane Doe, who alleged that she was sexually assaulted by multiple members of the Chi Phi fraternity in October 2024. The case resurfaced after the woman filed a civil lawsuit in September against the university, the fraternity and seven former students.

No criminal charges have been filed so far in connection with the case. Cornell said that, following its own investigation, some of the accused students were expelled, others were suspended, and the Chi Phi chapter was shut down.

Yates's background and the separate New York probe

Yates served as deputy attorney general under former U.S. President Barack Obama and briefly led the Justice Department at the start of Donald Trump's first term. Trump fired Yates in 2017 after she instructed department lawyers not to defend the administration's first travel ban targeting mostly Muslim countries.

Yates, who is now a partner at King & Spalding, has led several independent investigations. She previously headed a 2022 probe into sexual abuse and misconduct in the National Women's Soccer League, which found systemic failures.

What is happening at the state level?

New York Attorney General Letitia James is leading a separate criminal investigation into the allegations after being appointed special prosecutor by Governor Kathy Hochul last week. Hochul had also called for an independent review of Cornell’s handling of the case after criticism from students, faculty and others.

Cornell President Michael Kotlikoff said in a video message released over the weekend that the university does not yet have all the answers, but is committed to finding the ones its community deserves.