Cornell University has agreed to hire outside counsel to conduct an independent investigation into its handling of a 2024 sexual assault allegation involving seven students, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul announced Wednesday. The decision follows a civil lawsuit filed by the woman and the reopening of the criminal investigation by the Tompkins County District Attorney.

The woman, identified as Jane Doe in the lawsuit, alleges that she was sexually assaulted at the Chi Phi fraternity house on Cornell's campus in Ithaca in October 2024. She alleges that she was pressured to consume alcohol and drugs, including what she was told was ketamine, before the alleged assaults left her unable to consent.

Doe reported the incident to Cornell police, but the Tompkins County District Attorney's Office initially declined to bring criminal charges. District Attorney Matthew Van Houten said his original decision was based on a six-page statement the woman provided during the initial investigation.

The case came back under scrutiny after Doe filed a lawsuit against Cornell, Chi Phi and seven students on Sept. 16. Van Houten announced Monday that his office had reopened the criminal investigation and that evidence would be presented to a grand jury as the investigation proceeds.

Additional questions emerged this week after CBS News reported obtaining a transcript of the woman's interview with Cornell police. In that interview, she said she could say with “100% confidence” that she had been raped. Van Houten said he had not previously seen that transcript and that the information was new to him.

Cornell has said its police department provided the results of its investigation to the district attorney's office. The university also said it supports the decision to reopen the criminal case and has conducted its own Title IX investigation, which resulted in disciplinary action against students. The Chi Phi chapter remains barred from campus, while Cornell has declined to provide details about individual student punishments because of privacy requirements.

The university's handling of the case is now under separate review. Hochul said she spoke with Cornell President Michael Kotlikoff on Wednesday and that the university agreed to bring in outside counsel to examine its response independently.

“I want answers. And I want accountability,” Hochul said in announcing the review. She also directed her administration to examine whether New York can strengthen requirements for colleges responding to sexual assault allegations.

The governor said the review will look beyond the individual allegations and examine Cornell's reporting, prevention and response systems. Hochul has also expressed support for the district attorney's decision to reopen the criminal investigation.

Doe's lawsuit accuses Cornell of negligence, breach of contract, and violations of state education and human rights laws. The university has disputed wrongdoing and pointed to the disciplinary measures it took after conducting its internal investigation.

The criminal investigation remains ongoing, and allegations in the lawsuit have not been proven in court. The independent review will now add another layer of scrutiny as prosecutors determine whether criminal charges should be presented to a grand jury.