ITHACA, N.Y. — Cornell University has appointed former acting U.S. Attorney General Sally Yates to lead an independent review of the school’s response to a former student’s rape allegations and its broader approach to sexual misconduct on campus. The university announced the appointment Tuesday, Oct. 6. Yates, a former federal prosecutor and partner at the law firm King & Spalding, was selected by a newly formed special committee of Cornell’s Board of Trustees. The review will examine the case as well as university policies for preventing and responding to sexual harassment, sexual assault and related misconduct, with a goal of recommending changes. The appointment comes amid heightened scrutiny of Cornell’s handling of a case described in a civil lawsuit filed in mid-September. The plaintiff, identified as Jane Doe, alleges that seven men drugged and sexually assaulted her over several hours at the Chi Phi fraternity house on campus in October 2024. The men named in the lawsuit have denied wrongdoing. Cornell is also a defendant. No criminal charges were filed against the men. Cornell has said its police department investigated the case and that a separate Title IX investigation resulted in suspensions and expulsions. Anne Meinig Smalling, chair of the trustees’ special committee, said the allegations call for a rigorous examination of the university’s response. She said the review would also assess Cornell’s overall practices and identify areas for improvement. The case has prompted student protests over the university’s response. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul has appointed state Attorney General Letitia James to lead a criminal investigation, following criticism of the case’s handling by campus police and local prosecutor Matthew Van Houten. Yates’ review is an internal university investigation, separate from the state criminal inquiry and the civil lawsuit. Its findings could shape how Cornell addresses sexual misconduct complaints and supports members of its campus community.