Cornell taps Sally Yates to lead wide-ranging review of its response to sexual misconduct claims

October 6, 2026 / 2:54 PM EDT / CBS New York

Cornell University said Tuesday it is bringing on a former Justice Department official to review its handling of sexual misconduct claims, including the alleged 2024 sexual assault of a former student at a fraternity house.

The review will look not just at that specific incident, but also more broadly at "how the University prevents and responds to sexual harassment, sexual assault and related misconduct on campus."

Former Deputy U.S. Attorney General Sally Yates will lead what the university is calling a "comprehensive independent review," the university said in its announcement.

The review is separate from Letitia James' criminal investigation as special prosecutor.

The university said Yates' review will cover "Cornell's policies, practices and resources across the full range of prevention and response."

"Sally Yates brings extraordinary experience, independence and judgment to this work," said Anne Meinig Smalling, chair of Cornell's Board of Trustees. "The questions raised by the Jane Doe matter warrant a rigorous examination of Cornell's response to that case, but our responsibility is broader. We have asked Ms. Yates and her team to examine Cornell's overall approach to preventing and responding to sexual misconduct, identify where we…

Original source: https://www.cbsnews.com/entertainment/