“Cornell 7”: what happens next?

     The alleged gang rape case at Cornell University, now known nationally as the ‘Cornell 7’ case, has sparked conversations across the nation about campus culture, sexual assault prevention, and universities’ responsibility to investigate to their fullest capacity. 

     The resurfacing of the “Cornell 7” case has led to concern among students and faculty members alike at the University of South Dakota regarding what protections and protocols are in place to prevent situations such as this from taking place.

     While the “Cornell 7” incident did not take place on USD’s campus, the university has had instances of on-campus sexual assault in the past. One reported sexual assault was the subject of a campuswide alert on Sept. 2, 2026, during the 2026-27 academic year.

     University Police Chief Bryant Jackson ensures that while on-campus sexual assaults are not entirely unpreventable, the university works to prevent instances of sexual violence from occurring.

     “Our role has both a prevention and a response component. We work to educate our campus community, reduce opportunities for violence, build trust with students, and make sure people know how to seek help,” Jackson said.

     Jackson emphasized that all reports of sexual assault on USD’s campus are handled with equal care and consideration.

     “When someone reports sexual violence to UPD, our role is primarily focused on safety, support, and the criminal justice process. We use trauma-informed practices, and our approach is to start by believing and listening to the person who comes forward,” Jackson said. “We want to return as much power and control as possible to the survivor by explaining their options, allowing them to make informed decisions when circumstances permit, and connecting them with resources such as medical care, counseling, advocacy, and Title IX.”

     Jackson added that the affiliations of those involved should “never determine the quality or seriousness” of UPD’s response when handling instances of sexual violence.

     “Whether a report involves a Greek life member, student-athlete, graduate student, employee, or someone with no particular campus affiliation, our responsibility is the same: take the report seriously, address immediate safety and medical needs, preserve available evidence, connect the survivor with resources, and conduct an objective investigation when a criminal investigation is requested or appropriate,” Jackson said.

     According to the university website, USD follows Title IX regulations. Under Title IX, discrimination based on sex can include sexual harassment, sexual assault, sexual violence, stalking and sexual coercion.

     However, while Title IX regulations are in place, some campus leaders such as Tiffany Paretti, co-president of Promoting Awareness, Victim Empowerment (PAVE), believe this case has the potential to further preventative measures.

     “I think incidents like Cornell 7 can bring more attention to the importance of sexual assault prevention on college campuses, including at the University of South Dakota. They can encourage students and universities to have conversations about consent, accountability, and what it means to look out for one another,” Paretti said. “I think it’s important that these conversations go beyond simply raising awareness and lead to actual changes in how students are educated and how universities respond to reports.”

     As far as responding to reports, UPD guarantees that when opening investigations into highly sensitive cases such as instances of sexual assault the emotional capacity is largely taken into consideration.

     “Our goal is to avoid turning an interview into an interrogation of the survivor. We listen, allow time, avoid unnecessary judgment, explain what we are doing and why, and recognize that information may emerge over multiple conversations,” Jackson said.

Jackson also explained that university law enforcement is aware that memory can lapse when subject to trauma, and UPD allows individuals to share information as they feel comfortable. 

     “A survivor may remember additional details later, provide information in a different sequence, or initially have difficulty talking about certain portions of what occurred. That does not automatically mean the person is being inconsistent or untruthful.”

     Paretti emphasized that a large portion of ensuring sexual assault prevention is successful is instilling a campus culture centered around information and action.

     “I think one of the biggest things colleges can do is make consent education more consistent and realistic. It shouldn’t be something students hear about during freshman orientation and then never discuss again. Universities should continue these conversations throughout college and address real-life situations involving parties, alcohol, relationships, and peer pressure,” Paretti said. 

     Jackson concludes that he wants students to be aware that the university police department is there to ensure students’ individual safety as well as overall campus safety.

      He states that UPD starts all trauma-related cases not by investigating, but instead by believing.

     “And no student’s status, organization, athletic affiliation, Greek membership, or connection to the university changes that responsibility. Trust is incredibly important in campus policing, and we earn that trust by how we treat people when they come to us, particularly when they are experiencing one of the most difficult moments of their lives,” Jackson said.