It's awful,  they said.

7  All I can think about is Jane Doe…How many times did she have to pass her rapists in the hallway? It's awful,  one student said. REUTERS

A male senior said he  refuse[s] to accept a degree from a university who allows … people to be treated this way  and demanded  the university has to be accountable within this year. 

 Otherwise there's going to be an instruction from the top down to sexually assault and practice toxic masculinity,  he said.

7 Thursday's hearing comes off the back of a civil lawsuit, filed by a former student identified as Jane Doe, against the university and the fraternity Chi Phi, including seven of its members, alleging she was horrifically gang raped at the frat house in October 2024. Lone Pine Press for NY Post

The fraternity system, as a whole,  [has] a history of ritualizing sexual violence,  the senior noted, with a professor and mother of a student proposing  we crack down on fraternities on campus and get rid of the ones that consistently violate safety policies and foster other problems. 

A male freshman echoed the growing disgust about fraternity cultures, sharing that one of his first experiences on campus this year was running into another first-year outside a frat house who  wasn't allowed in  and was abandoned by her friends because she  didn't want to suck a d-k. 

7 The fraternity system, as a whole,  [has] a history of ritualizing sexual violence,  a male senior noted. Obtained by NY Post

 I can't even tell you how let down I feel,  a mother of a student said, breaking down in tears immediately.

Although she is proud of the community and of Jane Doe, the mother said she is  disgusted that she had to file a civil lawsuit to make her voice heard. 

 We've been fighting rape culture my entire life,  the mother, who is turning 50 this year, said.

 You should be able to go to any college in the country and be safe,  she demanded, while another stressed,  No woman should feel unsafe walking at the place where they are receiving their education. 

7 The Student Assembly gathered for a hearing on sexual violence amid the Chi Phi harrowing lawsuit. REUTERS

 They should not feel like all of the evidence and information they give cops won't make it to the DA's office,  she added, seemingly referencing the police transcript Tompkins County District Attorney Matthew Van Houten's office claimed not to receive in which Jane Doe said,  I can say with 100% confidence that I was raped. 

7 Students and ACLU student chapter members Jane Wang (left) and Sophia Riley Sim speak about sexual violence on campus during the student assembly meeting. AP Photo/Matt Rourke

Sophia, a student and ACLU member, warned that  the Cornell student body is in a mental health crisis right now  and demanded that  they should not be expected  to fulfill academic responsibilities  while they're grieving. 

The mother and university professor shared that while she'd  heard many people here tonight say they're embarrassed and ashamed to be a Cornelian,  she's  so proud that my child is going here at a time when you all are trying to break the cycle. 

7 Students demanded accountability from the Ivy League's administrators. REUTERS

 I don't want you to be embarrassed. I want you to see the change you can make and make it, because it's systemic, cultural and it's been around for a long time,  she said, choking up.

 You are less likely to get help from administrators,  she cautioned.  But I promise you there are faculty and staff on this campus who want to help you. 

 Use this anger…and get to work tomorrow,  she added.