A Cornell University fraternity has been suspended following a report of an alleged sexual assault and forced drugging incident in Ithaca.
The victim reported to Cornell Police that the assault occurred over the weekend of October 25th on the 100 block of Edgemoor Lane, where two fraternities, Chi Phi and Lambda Chi Alpha, are located. Ithaca Police confirmed they are investigating a single report of sexual assault involving one known suspect and victim.
The fraternity that is suspended has not been publicly identified. However, Chi Phi’s executive director, Michael Azarian, confirmed to The Ithaca Voice the Cornell chapter had been suspended, but said the fraternity’s national organization had done so on its own accord.
Ryan Lombardi, Vice President for Student and Campus Life at Cornell, released this statement to the student body.
Dear Cornell Students,
I am reaching out at a very difficult time for our campus community. We are mourning the loss of an undergraduate student who died in the gorge over the weekend and we are supporting a second student who is hospitalized from a different, accidental incident in another section of the gorge. At the same time, our community is trying to process last Friday’s crime alert that involved a deeply disturbing report of drugging and sexual violence. In times like this, it is important to recognize everyone processes and responds to grief and stress differently. I encourage you to take the steps that feel right for you in this moment.
There are vast resources at Cornell that I encourage you to utilize as needed in the coming days. Below, I have highlighted some key services that you may find help for yourself or to share with a friend. I have included a comprehensive list at the bottom of this message:
- Student Support & Advocacy Services staff in the Dean of Students Office are available for walk-ins this week. Stop by the 2nd floor of Willard Straight Hall (or call 607-254-8598) to talk with a professional for non-clinical confidential support and consultation.
- Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS) is offering “Let’s Talk” drop-in hours at various times and locations this week. For a full schedule, visit: https://health.cornell.edu/services/mental-health-care/lets-talk. Students also have access to 24/7 consultation by calling 607-255-5155.
- SHARE Office/Victim Advocacy Services through Cornell Health offers confidential support with no requirements to pursue a particular pathway or outcome. To connect to one of our Victim Advocates, please see the information at: https://health.cornell.edu/services/victim-advocacy.
- A campus-wide community support meeting will be offered on Tuesday, November 12, 5:30-6:30 p.m. in Goldwin Smith Hall, Room 132.
Our sense of safety may feel shaken right now, but please remember that Cornell is a caring community. I continue to encourage everyone to lean on each other and show support, empathy and care to each other. This support may come from friends, or the faculty and staff members that surround you at Cornell. We can never be sure what is going on in the lives of those around us, and even the smallest gestures of support and flexibility can make a real difference.
I also recognize that many of you are seeking answers and resolution related to Friday’s crime alert. We are as well. We strongly condemn the actions of any individuals responsible for such crimes and will hold anyone identified accountable to the fullest extent. If you have information that could be helpful in this investigation, we urge you to reach out to the authorities listed below.
Please know that using the resources like those listed above and at the bottom of this message is a sign of strength. They are designed specifically to help in times like this – or anytime that you may need some guidance or assistance. Take the first step to seek them out as you may need, and please know that we are here to support each other.
In community,
Ryan
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