（NewsNation）——康奈尔大学聘请了前美国副总检察长莎莉·Q·耶茨（Sally Q. Yates）来领导一项独立审查工作，旨在评估该校在预防和应对校园性骚扰、性侵犯及相关不当行为方面的措施。康奈尔大学董事会新成立的特别委员会于周二宣布了这一任命。这位前联邦检察官目前是King & Spalding LLP律师事务所的合伙人，她将全面审查康奈尔大学在处理性不当行为方面的相关政策、实践及资源。
(NewsNation) — Cornell University has hired former U.S. Deputy Attorney General Sally Q. Yates to lead an independent review of how the university prevents and responds to sexual harassment, sexual assault and related misconduct on campus. The newly formed Special Committee of the Cornell University Board of Trustees announced Yates’ appointment Tuesday. The former federal prosecutor, now a partner at law firm King & Spalding LLP, will lead a comprehensive review of Cornell’s policies, practices and resources related to sexual misconduct.
此次审查将包括对2024年10月发生在Chi Phi兄弟会会所内的集体强奸事件的详细调查。调查范围不仅限于2024年的事件，还将涵盖该校在依据《第九条教育法》（Title IX）、《克莱里法案》（Clery Act）、《校园安全法案》（Campus SaVE Act）以及纽约州法律预防和应对此类事件方面的整体做法，并参考高等教育领域的最佳实践标准。
The review will include a detailed examination of the gang rape allegations at the Chi Phi fraternity house in October 2024. The investigation will go beyond the 2024 allegations and examine the university's overall approach to preventing and responding to claims and Cornell's practices under Title IX, the Clery Act, the Campus SaVE Act and New York state law, as well as recognized higher education best practices.
耶茨及其团队在开展审查时将享有完全的独立性，并将直接向特别委员会汇报调查结果和建议。康奈尔大学表示，调查团队将依法及隐私保护要求，查阅相关政策、记录、案件档案以及与事件相关的人员和学校领导层的信息。
Yates and King & Spalding will have full independence in conducting the review and will report their findings and recommendations directly to the Special Committee. Cornell said the investigative team will have access to relevant policies, records, case files, personnel and university leadership, consistent with applicable law and privacy requirements.
“康奈尔大学必须以我们期望他人所具备的严谨态度来审视自身的问题，”特别委员会主席安妮·迈尼格·斯莫林（Anne Meinig Smalling）表示，“我们不仅想了解2024年发生了什么，还希望了解康奈尔大学如何能够成为预防性暴力、支持受害者以及严格、公正、富有同情心地处理相关指控的典范。”
“It is imperative that Cornell be willing to examine itself with the same rigor we expect of others,” Special Committee Chair Anne Meinig Smalling said. “We want to understand not just what happened in 2024, but how Cornell can become a leader in preventing sexual violence, supporting those who come forward and responding to allegations rigorously, fairly and compassionately,” she added.
耶茨曾担任美国代理司法部长和副总检察长，长期从事联邦检察官工作。目前她在King & Spalding律师事务所的“特别事务与调查”部门工作，负责为各类委员会和机构开展独立调查。
Yates is a former acting U.S. attorney general and deputy attorney general and a longtime federal prosecutor. She is now a partner in King & Spalding’s Special Matters and Investigations practice, where she has conducted independent investigations for boards and institutions.
耶茨此前曾牵头负责美国足协针对女子职业足球界虐待行为及性不当行为指控的独立调查。特别委员会已要求耶茨及其团队尽快且全面地完成此次审查工作。康奈尔大学董事会表示，计划将调查结果与建议内容向全校师生公布。
Yates previously led U.S. Soccer’s independent investigation into allegations of abusive behavior and sexual misconduct in women’s professional soccer. The Special Committee has asked Yates and her team to conduct the review as expeditiously and thoroughly as possible. Cornell’s Board of Trustees said it intends to share the findings and recommendations with the university community.