Cornell responds to Jane Doe letter alleging president doubted sexual assault

A woman known as Jane Doe has written a letter to the Cornell University faculty senate stating that she felt unsupported and disbelieved by university president Michael Kotlikoff after reporting a sexual assault. The Hill, BBC News US, and The Independent all reported that Doe accused seven men of sexual assault at a fraternity house. Cornell University responded to the letter by stating that the characterization of Kotlikoff's reaction is incorrect, according to BBC News US. [1][2][5]

In the two-page letter dated October 14, Doe stated that she received a second-hand account of the president's initial response after she reported the incident, BBC News US reported. According to BBC News US, Doe wrote that Kotlikoff questioned why she waited so long to report the alleged assault. Doe had reported the incident to campus police on November 8, roughly three weeks after the fraternity party occurred. [2]

The letter was submitted to the faculty senate ahead of a scheduled no-confidence vote concerning the university leadership, BBC News US and The New York Times reported. CBS News reported that a faculty member alleged the letter was initially withheld from the faculty senate prior to a crucial meeting, accusing leaders of silencing Doe's voice. The name Jane Doe is a standard legal placeholder used in the American legal system when an individual's actual identity is being intentionally concealed. [2][3][7][8]

The New York Times first obtained the letter before it was shared with faculty leaders, as reported by The Hill. USA Today also confirmed that Doe expressed feeling disbelieved by university leadership as the faculty senate considers its next steps. [1][6]