Ithaca council halts Cornell event permits amid scrutiny over handling of rape allegations

The Ithaca Common Council voted late Wednesday night to stop issuing city permits to Cornell University and affiliated student groups, including fraternities, following widespread criticism of the Ivy League school's handling of rape allegations made by a former student.

After hours of debate, the council voted 9-1 in favor of a moratorium, which temporarily bars Cornell from obtaining new permits for assemblies, parades and special events at the Ithaca Commons and activities requiring noise permits, citing public safety concerns.

The measure drew support from numerous Cornell students and Ithaca residents, although some graduate students raised concerns that the restrictions were overly broad and could disrupt activities unrelated to Greek life.

CORNELL PROTESTERS SWARM CAMPUS TO SUPPORT JANE DOE, CALL FOR UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT'S RESIGNATION One graduate student warned that the moratorium could result in canceled or delayed events, lost deposits, reduced access to venues and disruptions to conferences.

The moratorium will stay in place until Nov.

5, unless the council extends it at a later date.

The measure also includes an amendment that requires Cornell to refer investigations involving sexual and violent crimes to the Ithaca Police Department, though its unclear how that will be enforced.

The moratorium comes after the student, identified as Jane Doe, filed a lawsuit in September accusing seven former Chi Phi fraternity members of drugging and raping her on the night of Oct.

19, 2024, and into the following morning.

In the lawsuit, she alleges she arrived at the frat house already intoxicated, after which the men pressured her into taking ketamine and other substances.

The men have denied wrongdoing, with some maintaining the sexual activity was consensual and others denying they participated.

CORNELL PICKS FORMER DEPUTY US ATTORNEY GENERAL TO REVIEW SEX ASSAULT RESPONSE The fraternity was suspended on Nov.

8, 2024, the same day Doe reported sexual assault allegations to campus police, according to Doe's civil complaint.

Tompkins County District Attorney Matthew Van Houten, who initially declined to pursue charges, has said Doe's Nov.