Whereas, a lawsuit filed in September 2026 by a former Cornell student identified as Jane Doe, regarding a sexual assault she reported in 2024, has drawn intense national media attention to Cornell's campus,
Whereas, the Student Assembly stands with survivors of sexual violence and continues to demand accountability from the University, including through its recent unanimous resolution calling on administrators to provide a full account of how this case was handled,
Whereas, the Student Assembly affirms the essential role of a free press, including the student journalists of The Cornell Daily Sun whose reporting helped bring this case to light, and seeks through this resolution to protect students' privacy and safety, not to discourage reporting,
Whereas, media reporters have been stationed across campus (including Ho Plaza, North Campus, West Campus, outside Rockefeller, at bus stops, next to Baker Flagpole, in front of sorority and fraternity houses, in front of community living centers such as the Center for Jewish Living, and in the middle of sidewalks). These are only a few locations known to Assembly members,
Whereas, media stationed outside student living and educational areas are making students feel uneasy and making it more difficult for students with disabilities to navigate around campus,
Whereas, at places like bus stops students have reported media outlets harassing them until they give a statement. Other students reported being pressured to speak to media outlets who do not disclose who they are or what they are reporting on,
Whereas, media outlets have additionally tried to attend student clubs and sports events for statements. These clubs and sports teams have no known connection to the sexual violence described in Jane Doe's lawsuit,
Whereas, media outlets have been invasively recording and photographing students. This includes everything from their faces to their computer screens. Media outlets stand on major pathways during the class day and take photos of unsuspecting students to license for money. Dozens of such photos are now available for commercial licensing. Students have reported having to walk around major pathways on campus simply to avoid media outlets,
Whereas, during an off-the-record Public Hearing on sexual violence hosted by the Student Assembly media outlets recorded and took photos during an off-the-record period where they had been ordered to cease all recording and notetaking. These photos and videos place students sharing highly personal information in confidence at risk,
Whereas, Cornell is private property, and University policy requires news media to contact Media Relations before working on campus, allows journalists without permission to be asked to leave, and requires Housing and Residential Life approval for photography or video in residential spaces,
Whereas, the Society of Professional Journalists Code of Ethics calls on journalists to minimize harm, use heightened sensitivity with victims of sex crimes and inexperienced sources, and recognize that private individuals have a greater right to control information about themselves than public figures,
Whereas, Assembly members have also received various emails from companies attempting to exploit the grief on campus for profit. These emails express brief sympathies before attempting to establish business partnerships ranging from safety alarms to books. Some of these emails were exclusively sent to female members of the Assembly,
Whereas, the Student Assembly finds that the media and companies are exploiting the campus community in a time of grief for profit.
Be it therefore resolved, that the Student Assembly condemns the harassment, non-consensual recording and photographing, and pressuring of Cornell students by members of the media, as well as the solicitation of Assembly members by companies seeking to profit from this time of grief,
Be it further resolved, that the media refrain from stationing themselves outside of living, educational, and recreational spaces, and respect agreed-upon community and University norms, including not recording or interviewing in spaces they have been told not to,
Be it further resolved, that the media respect student consent including not recording, photographing, or pressuring students for interviews that students are not willing to participate in,
Be it further resolved, that media outlets in possession of recordings, photographs, or notes from the off-the-record portion of the October 1, 2026 Public Hearing delete them immediately and refrain from publishing or distributing them,
Be it further resolved, that companies cease unsolicited marketing to Assembly members and students that seeks to capitalize on this tragedy,
Be it further resolved, that the University enforce its existing media-on-campus policies, including requiring outlets to coordinate with Media Relations before working on campus and to obtain Housing and Residential Life approval before recording in residential spaces,
Be it further resolved, that the University establish a form to report media outlets that are breaking specified rules, that on campus staff such as media relations swiftly address these concerns, and that the University communicate to students their rights regarding media interviews,
Be it further resolved, that the University promptly send all students guidance on their rights when approached by media, including that they are never obligated to give an interview, may ask reporters to identify themselves and their outlet, and may report harassment to Media Relations or the Cornell University Police Department,
Be it further resolved, that nothing in this resolution be construed to discourage independent reporting on this case, including by The Cornell Daily Sun and other student journalists,
Be it finally resolved, that the media respect the Cornell community while accurately reporting on Jane Doe's lawsuit.
Respectfully Submitted,
Ellie Porter ’29
Representative At-Large, Student Assembly
Jai Anand ‘29
Representative At-Large, Student Assembly
- The Cornell Daily Sun, “Cornell, Chi Phi Sued by Victim of Alleged Gang Rape, Drugging in 2024,” Sept. 18, 2026.
- The Cornell Daily Sun, “Student Assembly Hosts Public Hearing on Sexual Violence, Passes Three Resolutions Addressing Alleged Chi Phi Gang Rape,” Oct. 3, 2026.
- Reuters Connect, “Student assembly at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York,” photograph taken Oct. 1, 2026.
- Cornell University, University Relations, “University Relations Resources,” accessed Oct. 6, 2026.
- Cornell University Student & Campus Life, “Project and Media Requests,” accessed Oct. 6, 2026. Society of Professional Journalists, “SPJ Code of Ethics,” Minimize Harm.
