Cornell University's main administrative building, Day Hall, was vandalized in the early hours of Monday, with activists smashing an entrance door and spray-painting slogans on its walls. The incident follows growing backlash over the university's response to allegations of a gang rape at a local fraternity in 2024.

Student groups organized the protest and vandalism ahead of a rally demanding justice for survivors. The graffiti included messages such as “At Cornell rapists are protected protesters are expelled” and “Smash the patriarchy,” reflecting deep-seated anger over the handling of sexual assault cases on campus.

Cornell spokesperson Kyle Kimball confirmed the university is investigating the vandalism, stating, “We understand the frustration and strong emotions being expressed across our community. Those concerns deserve to be heard, but damaging property is not the answer.”

The incident is linked to a civil lawsuit filed last month by an anonymous student, identified as Jane Doe. The lawsuit alleges that seven former students perpetrated sexual assault during a fraternity party at Chi Phi on October 19, 2024. The suit also names the fraternity and Cornell University as co-defendants.

Lawyers representing two of the accused former students have denied the allegations of sexual assault. The case has amplified national concerns about how sexual violence is addressed within university systems across the United States.

At the rally held on Monday, student organizers articulated a series of demands. These included a complete overhaul of the university's sexual assault complaint process, the termination of specific university officials, and more stringent disciplinary measures against those accused of sexual assault.

In a statement to The Cornell Daily Sun, student organizers called for the abolition of the Interfraternity Council system at Cornell. They also demanded the expulsion or revocation of degrees for all Chi Phi members implicated in the alleged rape and the replacement of Cornell’s Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards with a democratically structured disciplinary system.

The protest and acts of vandalism underscore the intense pressure on Cornell University to address systemic issues surrounding sexual violence and the perceived inadequacy of its current judicial and disciplinary frameworks. The ongoing investigation into the vandalism is expected to run parallel to the legal proceedings and internal reviews concerning the assault allegations.