Content warning: This piece discusses sexual assault.
In the wake of widespread outrage over the sexual assault allegations at Cornell University, students across the country are looking at their own universities and how they handle reported sexual assault cases. Since news of the Jane Doe case broke in late September, conversations about sexual violence on college campuses — and how students feel those reports are handled by administration — have only grown louder. The discussions all center around one thing: a demand for action.
While the case at Cornell captured national headlines, the school isn’t the only university currently under fire for its handling of alleged sexual assault. That same month, Louisiana State University drew scrutiny as details emerged about an alleged sexual assault involving an LSU student and a rostered football player. Following a Title IX complaint filed in January 2026, the player was found responsible in July and suspended from the university for one year. The player then appealed the decision, and in August 2026, his punishment was reduced to four semesters of probation, allowing him to remain enrolled and on the official university football team roster. In an Oct. 1 statement to USA Today, LSU President Wade Rousse defended the university’s response, saying in part, “This incident has been handled professionally and … LSU has strictly followed our policies, procedures and best practices, including the Title IX process, to guide our actions to date.” Campus police and the East Baton Rouge District Attorney’s Office are now investigating the case after the student shared her story online, drawing widespread attention.
What connects the cases at Cornell and LSU goes beyond allegations of mishandled sexual assault cases. On both campuses, students themselves have taken matters into their own hands — through student-run journalism and social media — to hold their institutions accountable.
Knowing that a serious situation happened at the university I attend … [makes] my family worry about my safety.
According to RAINN, the nation’s largest anti-sexual assault organization, 21% of women who attend college experience rape or sexual assault involving “physical force or inability to consent.” Despite this, Title IX complaints, as well as sexual assault claims to campus police, are rarely required to be shared with local law enforcement. As a result, survivors often must file two separate reports — one with the university, and one with local police — instead of one joint investigation. Even if a person is found responsible for sexual violence, accountability is rare: Data compiled by The Washington Post shows less than 1% of sexual assaults result in felony convictions and incarceration for the perpetrator.
For women at LSU, safety concerns weigh heavily. Fallon, a 22-year-old LSU senior, says the university’s handling of the September case makes being on campus “uncomfortable,” knowing the alleged rapist remains enrolled. “Knowing that a serious situation happened at the university I attend … [makes] my family worry about my safety,” she says.
Similarly, Piper*, 21, another LSU senior, agrees, noting the university’s response to sexual assault claims leaves her feeling unsafe and unable to rely on the institution for protection. “LSU does have some protective measures, like the LSU Shield app, but ultimately, the way the university reacts when a sexual assault occurs is just as crucial,” she says. “In my opinion, they don’t have a history of reacting with urgency or care.”
I just want my university to actually care about its students. It doesn’t do that right now.
At campuses across the country, women say the widespread (and historical) mishandling of sexual assault claims is disheartening. Jessica*, a 22-year-old junior at the University of Utah, feels her administration has failed to address recent high-profile cases at other schools. “If it doesn’t affect [the] university, [the] administration doesn’t care about it,” she says. And while the University of Utah offers domestic violence and sexual assault prevention groups, Jessica says they “can’t really help students past telling them who to talk to.”
Raine, an 18-year-old LSU freshman, calls on her university to be completely transparent about sexual violence, especially if accused or confirmed sexual assaulters remain on campus. “I would like them to take the cases more seriously,” she says, “and actually take action instead of trying to hide it or cover it up.”
To force real accountability, students are pressing for systemic change. Bailey*, a 22-year-old junior at the University of Central Florida, argues schools should require students — especially those in Greek life — to receive extended education on sexual assault. “I think being in a fraternity should come with a required, in-person class on sexual assault and rape prevention,” she says. “It’s a drastic measure, but rape is serious enough to warrant it.”
Others believe that existing campus resources, such as the Title IX office, need greater visibility on campus and better educational outreach. “I had required Title IX training before I started courses at LSU, which everyone has to do,” Piper says. “But, to be honest, I [still] basically know nothing about how [Title IX] works.”
And for some, accountability must extend to the university officials who mishandle sexual assault reports. Tatiyana, a 19-year-old LSU freshman, believes officials who mishandle claims should face immediate job loss: “Everyone who currently holds official positions in these schools and [mishandles sexual assault claims] should be terminated and replaced with people who have the students and campus truly in mind.”
As protests continue across the nation, universities face growing pressure to reevaluate how they handle sexual assault investigations, or risk fostering campuses where students feel unsafe and unheard. “I just want my university to actually care about its students,” Jessica says. “It doesn’t do that right now.”
If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, you can call the National Sexual Assault Telephone Hotline at 800-656-HOPE (4673) or visit hotline.rainn.org.
*Names have been changed.