Ithaca council votes to block Cornell permits over rape allegations

Key Points:

• The Ithaca Common Council voted 9-1 to impose a temporary moratorium stopping Cornell University and affiliated student groups from obtaining new city permits for events at the Ithaca Commons, citing public safety concerns amid criticism of Cornell's handling of rape allegations.
• The moratorium, effective until at least Nov. 5, also requires Cornell to refer investigations of sexual and violent crimes to the Ithaca Police Department, though enforcement details remain unclear.
• The decision follows a lawsuit filed by a former student, Jane Doe, accusing seven Chi Phi fraternity members of drugging and raping her in October 2024; the fraternity was suspended the same day the allegations were reported.
• Tompkins County District Attorney Matthew Van Houten initially declined to press charges, citing Doe's earlier statements describing the encounter as consensual, but has reopened the case after new information emerged, with New York Governor Kathy Hochul appointing Attorney General Letitia James as special prosecutor.
• One defendant has petitioned to remove AG James from the case, alleging bias due to a prior social media post condemning the alleged assault, highlighting ongoing legal and public scrutiny surrounding the investigation.