The president of a US university has suspended fraternity parties after a female student alleged she was drugged and gang-raped at a party two years ago.
In a letter to the campus community on Tuesday, Cornell University president Michael Kotlikoff announced a suspension of parties and other social events at interfraternity council houses for the rest of the 2026-27 academic year.
Under a new "zero tolerance" policy for violations, Mr Kotlikoff said any fraternity breaking the rule would face the immediate emergency suspension of a chapter.
New York State Police will take over investigating alleged campus sex crimes from university police, who have full investigative powers, but are controlled by the university and not linked to a municipal force.
A case manager will join the university's Office of Civil Rights to guide those who report sexual misconduct and work with officers who are "trauma-informed" and independent of the university.
"These measures will provide time for a thorough review of fraternity life at Cornell to determine whether and how it can safely continue," Mr Kotlikoff wrote.
Promising "systemic change on our campus", he said the university would "take all necessary steps to address the conditions that led to Jane Doe's experiences, and those of other survivors".
It follows growing outrage over how the college, located in Ithaca in New York State, handled allegations that a female student was sexually assaulted at a fraternity house in October 2024.
Protests demanding action on sexual violence have taken place at the college and elsewhere.
The woman, identified in court documents as Jane Doe, brought a civil case in September against the university, seven members of the Chi Phi fraternity, the fraternity itself and her sorority, over the alleged incident.
In her lawsuit, she alleges she was "plied with alcohol and drugs to the point of intoxication" by fraternity members, dubbed the 'Cornell 7', leaving her unable to consent before she was sexually assaulted.
Lawyers for the men have said their clients deny sexually assaulting or coercing her with drugs, NBC, Sky's US partner, said.
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Mr Kotlikoff admitted earlier this month that the allegation was "deeply disturbing" and said it raised "troubling issues about sexual assault, dehumanisation and aspects of party culture, alcohol and drug use".
He also acknowledged troubling questions about the investigations that followed the allegations.
The Ivy League school would take steps to prevent similar incidents in the future - including "a serious look at the role of fraternities and sororities in campus life", he promised.
The case has drawn national and international attention. Celebrities, including British actress Florence Pugh and US Democratic congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, have spoken out about it.
(c) Sky News 2026: Cornell University bans frat parties after alleged campus gang rape
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