Cornell Suspends Frat Parties As Investigation Into Alleged Drugging, Sexual Assault Begins
Cornell University announced the temporary suspension of all fraternity parties and activities following allegations that four students had been drugged and one sexually assaulted over the weekend.
The decision was announced by Cornell's Interfraternity Council (IFC) on Monday, following an emergency meeting the group held on Sunday to discuss the allegations. In a statement released by Cornell President Martha Pollock and Ryan Lombardi, the vice president for student and campus life, student leaders reportedly support the suspension.
"As a result of these disturbing reports, the Interfraternity Council (IFC), which governs all IFC-recognized fraternities at Cornell, has temporarily suspended all fraternity parties and social events, effective immediately," wrote Pollock and Lombardi. "IFC student leaders made this decision voluntarily Sunday evening after an emergency meeting with staff, and we fully support this necessary pause. Fraternity leaders will take this time to implement stronger health and safety plans."
The university police announced in a statement that it had been notified of four incidents between late September and November, where students reported feeling incapacitated despite drinking little to no alcohol.
University police said that at least one student believed they had been exposed to the drug Rohypnol. Commonly known as "roofies," the drug is a sedative that easily dissolves in liquids. Rohypnol is illegal in the U.S.
Cornell Police warned students to always watch how their drink is prepared and try to never leave a drink unattended.
Cornell, whose main campus is in Ithaca, N.Y., has nearly 23,000 students. According to Cornell, there are over 50 active Greek organizations on campus, made up of over 3,000 undergraduate students.
No fraternities have been named in any of the allegations, and Pollock and Lombardi said that "all found responsible will be held accountable."
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