Vandals smashed glass doors and spray-painted messages across Day Hall at Cornell University around 3 a. m.
on Monday, October 5, 2026.
The action protested the administration's response to an alleged 2024 fraternity gang rape.
The glass panes of the building's main entrance were shattered, leaving debris across the entryway.
Red spray paint covered walls surrounding the doors with slogans criticizing campus administration and patriarchy, while an overhead security camera was painted over.
Cornell University Police Department officers arrived at the scene around 3:50 a. m.
to clear and inspect the area, though officers declined to comment.
The administrative building houses the offices of senior university leadership.
Lawsuit and Political Backlash
The incident follows a lawsuit filed on September 14 by a former student alleging she was gang raped by seven Chi Phi fraternity members in 2024.
In a statement sent to The Sun, the activists demanded the abolition of Greek life, termination of named administrators, and degree revocations for the accused students.
The underlying lawsuit has drawn broad political backlash.
Ithaca Mayor Robert Cantelmo, New York Governor Kathy Hochul, and Attorney General Letitia James have all called for an independent review of the university's handling of the 2024 allegations.
University President Michael Kotlikoff addressed the ongoing fallout in a video message released Saturday, acknowledging that the university must improve its processes.
Kotlikoff stated that the administration plans to examine the role of Greek life on campus and advocate for statewide reforms to sexual assault laws.
