Warning: This article contains mentions of sexual assault, drugging, substance usage, and graphic language. You are not alone. There are resources to help you.
On September 14th, 2026, Jane Doe, former student of Cornell University, filed a 101-page civil lawsuit against the university and seven members of Cornell’s branch of the Chi Phi fraternity house: Matthew Ingalls, Jonathan Newell, Winston Lee, Gillio Lopes, Diego Sarabia, Scott Norris, and Scott Kretzschmar. The “Cornell 7” names were revealed in an explosive article published by Cornell’s own student newspaper, The Cornell Daily Sun. This story has since taken the world by storm, in fits of outrage against the seven and for Jane Doe.
There has been a lot of controversy around the release of the “Cornell 7”’s names, especially in comparison to the anonymity of Jane Doe.
Say their names. Not hers.
A complete timeline of the alleged assault case
The alleged assault happened on October 19th of 2024. Doe, who was there to meet Ingalls, attended a party at the Chi Phi house. As the night progressed, Ingalls proposed, while she was heavily intoxicated, that they have a threesome. He took her upstairs, where he was joined by Newell, and they both allegedly pressured Doe to snort ketamine, as well as partake in other substances. Both proceeded to then allegedly sexually assault her, eventually being joined by Lopes.
At 1:42am, the text that would eventually shake the world was sent.
In a 57-member Snapchat group chat named “Chi Phi Activities,” Newell sends the text “Free p*ssy in alum pu.” Ryan, a member of the group chat but not of the seven, responds with “This is crazy work.” Norris responds with “Free…,” and Kretzschmar types “diego went 7 min ago is not afk sooooo.” Ingalls, whom Doe called a friend prior to the assault, writes, “I f*cking love chi phi.” The message has two likes from other Chi Phi members. He later adds, “Like you can walk in and whip it out.” Someone later writes, “Shop still open?” Two respond with “Yeah.”
This is where all seven of the fraternity members accused of the assault allegedly entered the room, snorted ketamine off of Jane Doe’s body, poured other substances on her, and assaulted her. Five assaulted her for approximately four hours, and the remaining two assaulted her for another two hours. The entire alleged assault lasted approximately seven to eight hours. Days later, members of the seven texted her showing remorse, but several also tried to shift the narrative onto her, alleging that they were intoxicated and did not know what they were doing, or couldn’t remember what they did that night. One even accused Jane Doe of assaulting him.
On November 8th, 2024, Jane Doe reported the alleged assault to Cornell University police, and Chi Phi was put on suspension for alleged violations of the code of conduct. In an early 2025 hearing, four members of the seven admitted to “consensual” sexual acts with Jane Doe, though their accounts differed and conflicted with each other. Two members were expelled. One fraternity member, who had already graduated, was temporarily barred from campus. Two were temporarily suspended. The remaining two wrote essays. The case was closed as soon as it was opened, a decision that was not relayed to Jane Doe or her attorney. None of them were charged, and the Chi Phi fraternity was banned from campus.
Now, in 2026, the case has been reopened by the complaint filed to New York County. District Attorney Van Houten reopens the case, though New York Governor Kathy Hochul appoints the case to New York Attorney General Letitia James. On Wednesday, October 7th, Cornell students stage a seven-hour sit in a Cornell University dining hall while going the entire day without spending money at the university. They are demanding change at Cornell.
The reality of being a woman on a college campus
As of October 13, 2026, Cornell University has suspended all fraternity parties in a statement written by Cornell University’s president, Michael I. Kotlikoff, stating that it has been done for all the women who “continue to question whether they are safe.”
But does this statement actually mean anything to women on college campuses?
Suspending parties, rather than fraternities themselves, sends out the message that if you do not want to be assaulted, you shouldn’t put yourself in “dangerous situations.” You shouldn’t drink, you shouldn’t meet up with a male friend. All the blame goes back to Jane Does, never to the perpetrators themselves.
By not banning the fraternities themselves, it sends out the message that the other fifty men in the group chat did nothing wrong. Because they themselves did not commit the act, they are innocent. There were fifty other men who could have stopped the “Cornell 7.” They did not. It raises the question: How many other Snapchat group chats are there across the country? How many more “Cornell 7”s are there? How many more men chose to stay silent instead of stopping to help a defenseless person?
It does not erase the fact that Cornell and authorities failed Jane Doe. It does not erase the fact that the “Cornell 7” and the other fifty men in that group chat walked away unscathed, leaving Jane Doe to pick back up the pieces of her life that were ruined by an administration that fails to take sexual assault cases and victims seriously.
The “Cornell 7” were given a second chance because of their “promising futures.” Jane Doe was denied a refund for her tuition and left Cornell. Does she not have a promising future as well? Is her future not arguably more promising than theirs?
Where are the “Cornell 7” now?
Now having reached the global stage, the entire world has the same question: Where are the Cornell 7 now?
It is not exactly clear, though there are reports that several of them have changed their names. Some still attend Cornell University. Earlier this month, a video surfaced of Gillio Lopes, who was suspended for three semesters, being confronted at Cornell University by a fellow student.
Umar Matthew Ingalls, who was expelled, has reportedly left for Dubai, according to an account by a neighbor, though this has not been confirmed.
Winston Lee, grandson of former South Korean prime minister Lee Hong-koo, was suspended for two years and has reportedly been in South Korea to fulfil his mandatory military service.
Diego Sarabia who had already graduated was barred from entering Cornell’s campus grounds. He was also recently removed from his Wells Fargo job in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Jonathan Newell, who was also expelled, transferred to Nova Southeastern University, where university students are planning to hold protests for his expulsion.
As for Scott Norris and Scott Kretzschmar, who were only ordered to write essays, their whereabouts are unknown. There is speculation that Kretzschmar has joined his family in the police force, though nothing has been confirmed.
Who is Jane Doe?
We don’t know, and that is the power of the name Jane Doe. Women on the internet are rallying to protect Jane Doe’s identity (as many threaten to dox and “expose” her), pushing the movement “We are all Jane Doe.” Toby Morton, former “South Park” writer, created the website TheCornell7, where he writes about each individual member and their part in the alleged assault.
It does not matter who Jane Doe is. Who she is does not change what she is accusing the fraternity members of doing. Who she is does not change the fact that this happens to women everywhere. There are many Jane Does out there. Until we live in a world where women do not have to fear going to parties, drinking, or going out alone, we are all Jane Doe.
To universities everywhere: As long as this continues to happen, Jane Doe will always be different. What she looks like, how she acts– that will always change. But it will never matter; what won’t change and what does matter are the perpetrators– as long as their institutions give them the reassurance that they can get away with it, they will.
Do better, so that one day, we won’t have to worry about the possibility of another Jane Doe.
Do not tell us to protect ourselves to avoid being in dangerous situations. Instead, tell your men and boys to be respectful and to leave us alone.
We stand with you, Jane Doe.
There are resources if you are someone you know is struggling with sexual violence:
Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-4673
LMU Sexual Assault Hotline:
On campus: dial 222
Off campus: 310-338-2893 x1