ITHACA, N.Y. (WSTM) — The Ithaca Common Council is scheduled to vote on a proposed moratorium that would block Cornell and its affiliated student organizations from obtaining new city permits.
The vote follows an allegation of rape at the Chi Phi fraternity. In September, “Jane Doe” filed a lawsuit alleging that seven fraternity brothers pressured her to consume ketamine and gang-raped her on the night of Oct. 20, 2024, and into the early morning hours of the next day.
The Tompkins County District Attorney’s Office investigated the matter in 2024 but did not bring forward criminal charges due to a lack of evidence. The case was reopened in September following the filing of the civil lawsuit.
Ithaca’s General City Law, section 20(13), empowers the city to “maintain order, enforce the laws, protect property and preserve and care for the safety, health, and general welfare of the inhabitants of the city and visitors thereto.”
If approved, the moratorium would stop the city of Ithaca from issuing new permits for assemblies, special events, use of the Ithaca Commons and certain noise permits to Cornell University and its affiliated student groups.
TIMELINE | The Cornell rape investigation from 2024 to now
The moratorium could not totally stop gatherings, but it would allow the city to evaluate and implement more appropriate methods to prevent sexual violence and protect victims.
It would expire on Nov. 5, unless extended by councilors.
On Oct. 5, a group of Cornell faculty senators called for a vote of no confidence in the university’s central administration, adding to the mounting pressure from students and staff demanding changes to how the school handles sexual assault.
The senators’ resolution stated that they had “no confidence in the ability of the central administration to effectively address the ongoing crisis of sexual assault at Cornell University.”
Additionally, the Cornell Board of Trustees appointed Sally Yates, a former deputy attorney general who served in the Obama Administration, to examine how Cornell handles sexual misconduct complaints.
The board said Yates’ assessment will seek to determine how Cornell investigates reports of sexual assault and sexual harassment, what support students get, how the disciplinary process works, campus police responses and oversight of fraternities, sororities and other student organizations.
It is sponsored by faculty senators representing several areas of the university, including the ILR School, Arts and Sciences, engineering and the university library.
New York State Attorney General Letitia James is investigating the case.
The Ithaca Common Council meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m.