On September 16, 2026, an anonymous female student from Cornell University filed a civil lawsuit against seven members of the Chi Phi fraternity. The student (“Jane Doe”) reported the incident in November 2024, but the case became public this year and made national headlines.
The report accuses the seven brothers of drugging Jane Doe with ketamine and other illicit substances, causing her to become incapacitated.
The report alleges that Jane Doe was then raped by multiple frat brothers for nearly seven hours. Snapchat messages among the suspects inviting one other to the assault have been brought to court.
The chapter was suspended and eventually closed in 2024. The litigation is active, and a final decision on liability has not been reached.
The extremity of Greek life varies by institution and chapter, and students may choose to rush for a variety of reasons. However, there is often intense pressure to “prove” oneself while rushing and undergoing hazing, which fosters bystander culture, even in the case of crime or death. Brothers and sisters are often peer pressured to not “snitch,” which would put their membership in jeopardy.
Many universities require house leaders and incoming and returning students to complete a Title IX training course, though it is not federally mandated.
“We require annual in- person training for student leaders and select faculty and staff members who may serve in different capacities within the Title IX Process,” said Sarah Erickson, Covenant’s Title IX coordinator.
Covenant’s resident halls can sometimes act as informal Greek life. Long- standing traditions and hall culture allow students to don a new college identity and feel seen and known by their peers.
“The main difference between Covenant’s hall culture and most Greek life chapters is the culture of binge drinking and recreational drug use in the latter,” said Erickson.
Erickson continued: “In order to remove potential obstacles to reporting, we offer amnesty for lesser violations such as consumption of alcohol or use of illicit drugs or other violations that do not cause harm or place the health or safety of any other person at risk for the reporter.”
Hall culture can have a positive or negative effect. “I have seen hallmates love each other well by asking questions and encouraging those to pursue justice and healing which has included reporting potential Title IX violations. I have also seen a culture of gossip hurt people involved in the Title IX process,” said Erickson.
Evidence preservation is an important component of the Title IX process, even if the student is unsure if they want to bring the case to law enforcement.
“Medical forensic examinations or ‘rape kits’ can be completed at a hospital which is best done within 0-3 days or 72 hours after the incident,” said Erickson.
Erickson distinguished between the federal requirement of consent and a Biblical sexual ethic, stating that while consent is necessary, it is the bare minimum, so the consent model is insufficient to promote sexual flourishing.
“Instead of this discouraging me, it makes me thankful that regardless of the limitations of the Title IX process, we have a God who perfectly administers justice and abundantly offers forgiveness, and who will restore and redeem even the most painful and tragic parts of our stories, hopefully in part now, but guaranteed fully in the New Heavens and Earth.”