Cornell Suspends Fraternity Social Events Through 2027

Cornell University suspended fraternity parties and social events through the end of the academic year amid protests and criticism over its handling of a student’s allegations of sexual assault at a fraternity house in 2024. The university said it would add staff to its civil-rights office, work with state police on trauma-informed investigations, and improve bystander education, while students and faculty argued the response did not go far enough. Separately, a 21-year-old woman reported being sexually assaulted at a University of Chicago fraternity house early Sunday; police reports said friends struggled to reach her as men outside the bathroom appeared to cheer and tried to obstruct them. The university identified a person of interest who is not affiliated with the school and barred him from campus; the investigation is ongoing, and no charges have been announced.