Sally Yates to review Cornell University sexual misconduct policies

Cornell University trustees announced on Tuesday that former high-ranking Department of Justice official Sally Yates will lead a review into how the institution handles sexual misconduct complaints. The Guardian, KOKI FOX 23, and Mediaite all report that Yates was tapped by the university as it addresses public anger over sexual assault allegations. [1][2][3]

According to the Guardian, Yates served as a deputy attorney general during the Obama administration. She has been appointed by school trustees to examine existing university policies amid the fallout from an alleged 2024 fraternity house gang rape. [1][4]

An anonymous former student, identified as Jane Doe, filed a civil lawsuit on September 16, 2026, against Cornell University, its Chi Phi fraternity chapter, and seven fraternity members. The lawsuit claims that Doe was drugged and gang-raped at the fraternity house in 2024, and that the university failed to protect her or punish the accused students. [5]

As FTMQ News reported earlier, Cornell University President Michael Kotlikoff previously released an eight-minute video message describing the allegations as deeply disturbing and promising greater transparency regarding the university's handling of the incident. [6]