What Happened at the Cornell Chi Phi Case? A Clear Summary for English Learners

A civil complaint was filed on September 14, 2026 in New York Supreme Court by a former Cornell student who uses the name Jane Doe. The complaint alleges she was drugged and sexually assaulted at the Chi Phi fraternity house overnight on October 19–20, 2024. The lawsuit names seven members of the Xi chapter as defendants and also names the university and other parties.

Cornell says it investigated the report in 2024 and that two students were expelled while others received suspensions and other sanctions. The Chi Phi chapter was closed and remains barred from campus. The complaint says a Snapchat message at 1:42 a.m. suggested a woman was available, and that the assaults continued until about 5:45 a.m.

Tompkins County District Attorney Matthew Van Houten announced on September 28, 2026 that his office has reopened the criminal investigation and will present evidence to a grand jury. The case has prompted calls for an independent review and renewed attention to campus sexual assault policies. Although no criminal charges were filed in 2024, prosecutors said they will reexamine evidence since additional material became public.