Do Universities Protect Their Students? From Cornell to UCD
By Rebecca Young
In September 2026, a former Cornell University student filed a civil lawsuit alleging that she was drugged and raped by members of a local fraternity. This has placed Cornell in the spotlight, with many scrutinising the university’s handling of the incident and opening discussion on a wider question: Are universities doing enough to ensure that students who are victims of sexual assault receive the right support and that they deal with allegations appropriately?
The Cornell Seven Case
The lawsuit of Jane Doe v. Cornell et al. firstly examines the events of October 2024, but also focuses on the university’s internal investigation and disciplinary process of the accused students. [1]
In statements published by the university, Cornell has repeatedly defended their actions, confirming that the appropriate measures were taken, such as suspension and expulsion of students. However, Jane Doe alleges that some administrative staff presented students with the opportunity to relieve their punishment by submitting essays, but the university has denied this. [2]
Earlier this month, Cornell announced new campus safety measures, such as suspending fraternity and sorority parties for the academic year. [3] The question is no longer simply whether a university has procedures in place, but whether students can have confidence in them.
The University College Dublin Case
The questions raised by Cornell extend beyond the United States to somewhere more local: Dublin. At University College Dublin (UCD), a medical student who alleged she had been raped by a fellow student challenged the university’s handling of her circumstances that led her to miss her exams. She argued that UCD failed to accommodate her, and this situation escalated to a High Court case.
However, the court ruled in UCD’s favour, maintaining that they provided suitable arrangements. [4] This case has sparked public debate about student welfare and the responsibility that universities have to support students who have experienced sexual assault that has detrimentally impacted their personal and academic life.
Are Universities Doing Enough?
The concerns raised by these cases sit within a wider debate about how universities deal with them, and to what extent they prioritise their students over their reputation.
Research conducted by Queen’s and Ulster University academics, UNSEENATUNI (2022), revealed that 63% of all students in higher education in Northern Ireland have experienced some form of unwanted sexual encounters. [5] These findings convey the message that universities must ensure that reporting procedures are accessible, that students understand the support available to them, and that allegations are handled appropriately.
Ultimately, universities must do more than promise protection; they must demonstrate that every student who speaks up will be heard, supported and treated with dignity.
Queen’s students can find reporting options and information about support through the university’s Report + Support service. [6]
References
[1] Tompkinscountyny.Gov. 2025. ‘District Attorney Statement Re: Jane Doe V. Cornell University, Et Al’.
[2] Cornell University. 2026a. ‘District Attorney’s Investigation of 2024 Sexual Assault Allegations’. CornellUniversity, September 28.
https://statements.cornell.edu/2026/20260928-da-investigation.cfm.
[3] Cornell University. 2026. ‘Immediate Measures to Strengthen Campus Safety and Better Support Survivors’. Cornell University, October 13.
[5] Anyadike-Danes, N, M Reynolds, C Armour, and S Lagdon. 2022. Unwanted and Non-Consensual Sexual Experiences Reported by University Students in Northern Ireland . [6] Qub.Ac.Uk. 2023. ‘Report + Support – Report + Support – Queen’s University Belfast’. https://reportandsupport.qub.ac.uk/.
