November 10, 2026 NEW YORK, NY In the wake of harrowing campus assault cases in New York, NYC Council Speaker Julie Menin has summoned the leaders of 10 major colleges and universities to testify at a high-stakes Dec. 15 City Hall hearing.

The oversight probe was triggered by alarming state data revealing that out of 1,100 sexual misconduct allegations reported across the 10 institutions in a single year, only six resulted in expulsion.

The Discrepancy: 1,100 Reports, Only 6 Expulsions

Figures compiled under New York’s Enough Is Enough law—which tracks reports of sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking—paint a troubling picture of campus accountability across New York City.

A breakdown of the data submitted by the 10 invited institutions highlights a stark drop-off between initial reports and formal student discipline:

Menin Demands Answers from 10 University Presidents

In a November 9 letter sent to Columbia University President Jennifer Mnookin, Speaker Menin emphasized that the City Council intends to investigate systemic flaws in how campus administrations process allegations and handle fraternities or student groups.

“These incidents can leave lifelong scars, derail students’ educational pursuits, undermine confidence in institutional responses, and inflict lasting harm on individuals and campus communities alike,” Speaker Menin wrote. “The Council wants to hear directly from leading university presidents, students, faculty, survivor advocates, and other stakeholders about where existing systems fall short.”

The 10 Institutions Summoned to Testify:

1. Columbia University

2. New York University (NYU)

3. The City University of New York (CUNY)

4. Fordham University

5. St. John’s University

6. Pace University

7. Touro University

8. The New School

9. Mercy University

10. Yeshiva University

While invitations for university presidents to appear at the 10 a.m. Dec. 15 hearing at City Hall are currently voluntary, Council officials expressed strong expectations for full cooperation.

High-Profile Tragedies at Cornell and FIT Spark Action

Speaking on the urgency of the oversight hearing, Menin pointed directly to high-profile sexual assault cases at Cornell University and the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) that sparked national headlines.

• The Cornell Gang-Rape Lawsuit: A former student filed a civil suit alleging she was drugged and raped by multiple students in October 2024, accusing the university of failing to discipline those responsible. Governor Kathy Hochul appointed Attorney General Letitia James as special prosecutor, with former federal prosecutor Jacqueline Kelly appointed to lead a state criminal probe.

• The Fatal FIT Dormitory Assault: Federal prosecutors charged 19-year-old Bronx resident Moises Freire after he allegedly sneaked into a Manhattan dormitory in March, gave two students fentanyl under the guise of cocaine, and raped one while both were unconscious. One victim fell into a coma and died on March 21.

Neither Cornell (located in Ithaca) nor FIT (operating under SUNY jurisdiction with local DOE sponsorship) was included on the Council's summons list due to jurisdictional limits, though their cases serve as the catalyst for the citywide inquiry.

Council officials noted that while no specific legislation is currently drafted ahead of the hearing, city lawmakers may introduce new campus safety measures depending on testimony gathered from survivors, advocates, and university leaders.

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