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Image: Cornell University Arts Quad by Eustress, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Cornell University is facing renewed scrutiny over a sexual assault lawsuit filed by two former students who say the school failed to respond adequately to repeated complaints against a male student accused of abusing multiple women.
The lawsuit, filed in November 2023, alleges that Cornell ignored warnings about the student’s conduct and allowed him to remain on campus despite reports of sexual misconduct.
The complaint also claims that at least five to ten other students experienced sexual abuse involving the same individual, with potentially more victims who haven’t come forward.
The case received renewed attention on November 9, 2026, following an investigation by the nonprofit newsroom New York Focus. It comes as Cornell is already dealing with a separate lawsuit involving allegations of sexual assault at a fraternity house in 2024.
Two Former Students Describe Assaults Years Apart
According to court documents, one plaintiff says she was repeatedly sexually assaulted by a fellow student between June and the fall of 2018.
The second plaintiff alleges that the same student sexually, physically and verbally assaulted her in a campus dormitory in May 2021.
Both women say they reported the incidents through Cornell’s Title IX process, which handles complaints involving sexual harassment, assault and other forms of sex discrimination.
But the lawsuit alleges that the university failed to investigate or respond effectively, despite knowing about other complaints involving the same student.
One plaintiff says she believed Cornell had received reports about the accused student before she filed her own complaint in 2018.
The other says she learned that a separate student had submitted a complaint around August 2021. According to her account, Cornell began investigating only after that additional report.
The accused student left Cornell in December 2021. The lawsuit alleges that the university subsequently closed its investigation without resolving the second plaintiff’s complaint.
Lawsuit Claims Other Students May Have Been Abused
The complaint claims that five to ten additional students were sexually abused by the same person during his time at Cornell.
That figure hasn’t been independently established, and the lawsuit doesn’t identify all the students referenced in the claim.
Still, the allegation raises questions about whether Cornell recognized a pattern of complaints and, if so, what steps the university took to protect students.
The plaintiffs argue that the university’s response allowed the alleged misconduct to continue.
The lawsuit also accuses Cornell of failing to report the allegations to law enforcement.
New York Focus reported that the Ithaca Police Department had no records identifying the accused student as a suspect. Whether the allegations were reported to another law enforcement agency remains unclear.
Sexual Abuse at a New York College? Know Your Legal Options
Students who experienced sexual assault or abuse at a college or university may have legal options, including claims involving an institution’s response to reported misconduct.
Learn about filing deadlines, evidence and potential civil claims.
–> New York Sexual Abuse Lawsuit Guide.
Cornell Sexual Assault Lawsuit Moves Toward Possible 2027 Trial
The women filed their lawsuit under New York’s Adult Survivors Act, which temporarily reopened the courts to certain adult survivors whose sexual abuse claims would otherwise have been barred by filing deadlines.
The legislation created a one-year window from November 2022 through November 2023 for eligible civil claims.
Cornell sought to have the lawsuit dismissed, arguing that the plaintiffs hadn’t established the necessary legal grounds for holding the university responsible.
The accused former student also sought dismissal and denied the allegations against him.
A trial court rejected the dismissal motions, allowing the case to proceed.
The lawsuit remains in the discovery phase, during which the parties exchange documents, testimony and other evidence. A trial could take place in 2027.
That process could reveal more about how Cornell investigated the complaints, what university officials knew and whether its procedures adequately addressed reports involving the same accused student.
Separate Cornell Fraternity Lawsuit Adds to Scrutiny
The older lawsuit has resurfaced as Cornell faces criticism over its handling of an unrelated sexual assault case involving members of the Chi Phi fraternity.
In September 2026, a former student sued Cornell and several other defendants, alleging that seven fraternity members sexually assaulted her in October 2024 after she consumed alcohol and drugs, including ketamine.
Cornell conducted an internal investigation and disciplined several students. The accused men have denied wrongdoing.
The criminal investigation, initially closed without charges, was later reopened. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul subsequently appointed Attorney General Letitia James as special prosecutor, and former federal prosecutor Jacqueline Kelly was selected to lead the investigation.
Cornell also commissioned an independent review of its response to sexual violence allegations.
On November 6, the university’s Faculty Senate voted 75–50 to express no confidence in the administration over its handling of sexual assault concerns. Five members abstained.
What the Lawsuit Could Mean for Campus Sexual Assault Accountability
Title IX requires federally funded educational institutions to address sex discrimination, including certain forms of sexual harassment and violence.
Colleges have procedures for receiving complaints, investigating allegations and determining whether disciplinary action is appropriate. But those procedures don’t necessarily replace criminal investigations or civil lawsuits.
Related Coverage:
Cornell Sexual Assault Allegations Put New Focus on Ketamine and Campus Safety
Cornell Sexual Assault Case Reopens Debate Over Intoxication, Consent and New York Law: Opinion
How Police Question Sexual Assault Survivors: Cornell Case Raises Broader Questions
DA Reopens Cornell Fraternity Sexual Assault Investigation, Plans Grand Jury Review
Cornell, Fraternity and Sorority Groups Sued Over Alleged 2024 Sexual Assault
