Ithaca, NY — Cornell University is facing renewed scrutiny over campus sexual violence after a university survey found that 35% of undergraduate women who responded reported experiencing nonconsensual sexual contact during their time at the school.
That figure rose sharply from 23% in 2023 and 20% in 2021. Among undergraduate men, 8% reported nonconsensual sexual contact in 2025, compared with 9% two years earlier. Nearly half of all respondents also reported experiencing sexual or gender-based harassment.
The findings come as Cornell faces intense criticism over its handling of a separate 2024 alleged gang rape involving members of the Chi Phi fraternity. That case has prompted a civil lawsuit, a reopened criminal investigation and New York Gov. Kathy Hochul’s decision to appoint Attorney General Letitia James as special prosecutor.
Cornell officials caution that the 2025 survey had a significantly lower response rate than previous editions. Only 926 of 6,000 invited students participated, a 15% response rate, compared with 36% in 2023. That means the results should not automatically be treated as representing every Cornell student.
Still, Cornell’s own task force has described sexual assault as a persistent campus problem and recommended expanded prevention, education, reporting and accountability efforts.
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