Cornell has canceled its scheduled homecoming performance after students protested the university’s response to a high-profile sexual assault lawsuit. The student-run concert commission announced the move days after public criticism intensified over how the campus handled allegations against members of the Chi Phi fraternity.
The Cornell Concert Commission said in an Instagram post published Oct. 9 that it would not go forward with the Oct. 17 show by Between Friends at Barton Hall. The group framed the decision as an act of solidarity with the woman bringing the suit, identified in court papers as Jane Doe, and said it will shift its efforts toward supporting survivors.
The cancellation follows a lawsuit filed in September in which the plaintiff accuses seven members of Cornell’s Chi Phi fraternity of giving her drugs and alcohol and then sexually assaulting her at a fraternity party, the complaint says. The alleged attack is said to have occurred in October 2024. The accused men have denied the allegations, characterizing the encounters as consensual or disputing the details, according to reporting by The New York Times.
University leaders have moved to respond publicly. On Oct. 3, President Michael I. Kotlikoff pledged an independent review of the university’s handling of the matter; on Oct. 6, Cornell named former U.S. Deputy Attorney General Sally Yates to lead that review. The effort is intended to examine institutional practices and recommend changes.
Student organizers say their next steps will include a benefit concert organized by students that will feature campus bands and DJs. All proceeds are planned to go to RAINN, the national anti-sexual-violence organization. The commission also urged the university to adopt stronger protections and support systems for survivors.
- What was canceled: Between Friends’ homecoming show at Barton Hall, originally set for Oct. 17.
- Why: Student backlash over Cornell’s handling of a lawsuit alleging fraternity-based sexual assault.
- University action: Independent review ordered by President Kotlikoff; Sally Yates appointed to lead it.
- Student response: Commission plans a charity event and public calls for policy changes; proceeds to benefit RAINN.
The dispute highlights how campus events can become focal points in broader debates about safety, accountability and institutional transparency. For students and alumni, the cancellation affects homecoming traditions; for campus survivors and advocates, it signals growing pressure for reform.
If you or someone you know needs support, RAINN offers free, confidential help via its National Sexual Assault Hotline at 800-656-HOPE (4673), available 24/7, or through its website.
As the independent review proceeds, both the university’s policy response and the student community’s actions will be watched closely. Changes recommended by the review could reshape how Cornell handles reports of sexual violence and how student organizations approach campus events tied to those controversies.
