Transcripts from a Cornell University Title IX investigation have provided details regarding a 2024 sexual assault allegation involving members of the Chi Phi fraternity. According to records obtained by CBS News New York, a student witness alleged that one of the accused men contacted her shortly after the incident to request that information not be shared with others.
The Title IX record, which spans 565 pages, contains the account of the complainant, referred to as Jane Doe, as well as interviews with 20 witnesses and six of the seven men named in a related lawsuit. Title IX is the federal civil rights law that prohibits sex-based discrimination and sexual misconduct in education programs that receive federal funding.
A student witness told investigators that one of the accused men called her the day after the alleged assault. According to the transcript, she claimed he asked her to ensure a friend did not "say anything that she thinks might've happened last night" because another fraternity member was "really concerned." The record indicates the man initially denied the call took place when questioned by an investigator, but later submitted a written correction stating he spoke to the witness about "not spreading any rumors."
The handling of the investigation has also brought scrutiny to the interactions between the university and local law enforcement. Cornell University recently updated its public information to clarify that it provided the Tompkins County district attorney's office with a sworn statement and a Snapchat screenshot, rather than all investigatory information as previously stated.
The district attorney told CBS News New York he received only Jane Doe’s 2024 statement and a Snapchat video. This discrepancy is highlighted by a witness who told investigators she submitted a written statement to the Cornell Police, though the Title IX record does not indicate what happened to that specific document.
The Tompkins County district attorney, who initially declined to file charges against the men, has now reopened the investigation. The university maintains a Frequently Asked Questions page to address the case and its reporting procedures.