Ithaca halts Cornell event permits and demands local police lead sexual crime inquiries

The short version

• The Ithaca Common Council approved a temporary moratorium on Cornell University special events permits in a 9-1 vote.[Fox News · CBS News]
• City officials called on Cornell to transfer investigations of violent sexual crimes to the Ithaca Police Department.[NBC News · CBS News]
• The freeze followed a civil lawsuit from a former student alleging an October 2024 fraternity gang rape.[Fox News · CBS News]
• The permit ban runs until November 5, with the city council retaining the option to renew it monthly.[Fox News · CBS News]

Key facts

• The Ithaca Common Council voted 9-1 to halt new special events permits for Cornell University through November 5.[Fox News · CBS News]
• The council requested that the Cornell University Police Department hand over investigations into violent sex crimes to the Ithaca Police Department.[NBC News · CBS News]
• Mayor Robert Cantelmo introduced the moratorium citing safety, health, and welfare concerns following a civil lawsuit alleging a student was drugged and gang-raped at a fraternity in October 2024.[Fox News · CBS News]
• New York Governor Kathy Hochul named Attorney General Letitia James as a special prosecutor to review the sexual assault case.[Fox News · CBS News]

Sources

Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.

• Ithaca council passes moratorium on new Cornell events permitsCBS News - US
• Ithaca council halts Cornell event permits amid scrutiny over handling of rape allegationsFox News
• Ithaca city council calls on Cornell to report sexual assault investigations to local policeNBC News - Top Stories
• What Jane Doe told Cornell hearing panel about alleged 2024 gang rapeABC News - Top Stories