Cornell University trustees have appointed former United States Deputy Attorney General Sally Yates to conduct an independent internal review examining how the institution handles allegations of sexual assault and harassment. The move comes in the wake of widespread public backlash and intense scrutiny over the university's handling of severe misconduct reports within its campus ecosystem.

According to university statements, Yates will scrutinize disciplinary procedures, campus police responses, and the administration's oversight of student fraternities. Yates previously served in high-profile legal roles under the US regime during the Obama and Trump administrations, where she frequently found herself at the center of politically charged legal battles.

The appointment follows renewed outrage over a civil lawsuit filed by a former student alleging she was assaulted by fraternity members in October 2024. While the university claims to have taken administrative actions such as expelling certain individuals, critics argue the response has been inadequate. Meanwhile, the New York Attorney General's office has initiated a separate criminal investigation into the matter.

Source: www.aljazeera.com