ITHACA, N.Y.—The Interfraternity Council at Cornell University has “temporarily suspended all fraternity parties and social events” after multiple reports of women being drugged over the last several weeks and one reported sexual assault that took place this weekend.
Cornell police stated that the druggings took place over the last several weeks, but that the sexual assault was reported on Sunday, Nov. 6. The assault was reported to have happened between 2:30 a.m. and 4:30 a.m. at an event in the 100 block of Thurston Avenue, and the Cornell University Police Department said in an announcement that the Ithaca Police Department is investigating that incident.
IPD released a statement Monday that they are indeed aware and investigating the drugging incidents, though they did not specify how many are under investigation.
It’s not clear from the CUPD announcements whether the druggings and the sexual assault are directly related (such as if the victim of the sexual assault this weekend was drugged), but on Nov. 4 at 8 p.m. CUPD announced they had been made aware of four incidents of students becoming incapacitated after drinking “little to no alcohol.” Those incidents, according to the school, happened between Sept. 24, 2022 and Nov. 3, 2022. It is suspected, according to police, that these students were given Rohypnol, commonly referred to as “roofies” and most often associated with date rape.
Monday morning, Cornell leaders announced the temporary stoppage of all frat parties and social events, the result of an emergency meeting called Sunday night. According to Pollack’s letter, the incidents “reportedly occurred at off-campus residences affiliated with registered fraternities.”
Sources also tell The Ithaca Voice that around six people have been taken to the hospital recently showing signs of being drugged. All of the victims in those cases have been women.
One incident, marked in Cornell’s Daily Crime Log, shows a drugging incident reported on Nov. 3, but the incident is marked as having occurred between Oct. 28 and Nov. 3 and refers to multiple victims. That incident happened at 800 University Avenue, according to the log, where the Theta Delta Chi fraternity currently has a house.
“IFC student leaders made this decision voluntarily Sunday evening after an emergency meeting with staff, and we fully support this necessary pause,” wrote Cornell University President Martha Pollack. “Fraternity leaders will take this time to implement stronger health and safety plans. No IFC-affiliated social events will resume until student leaders and Cornell staff are confident activities can take place responsibly and safely.”
Anyone with information is asked to come to Ithaca Police Department and can remain anonymous.
Police Dispatch: 607-272-3245
Police Tipline: 607-330-0000
Anonymous Email Tip Address: www.cityofithaca.org/ipdtips