Cornell students want to 're-examine' Greek system after sexual assault charges against a frat president
Wolfgang Ballinger, the president of Psi Upsilon, the top-rated fraternity at Cornell, was charged with first-degree attempted rape, first-degree criminal sexual act, and first-degree sexual abuse. The alleged sexual assault occurred around 2 a.m. on Sunday, January 31.
The 21-year-old has pleaded not guilty, his lawyer, James A. Baker, told People Magazine.
"Wolfgang Ballinger is not guilty of the charges that have been filed against him. His innocence will be established at the proper time and in the proper place - which is in the courts, not in the media," Baker told People.
We reached out to Baker and will update this post if we hear back.
The editorial in The Daily Sun urges the fraternity system to take stronger preventative measures to ensure its members don't commit sexual assaults. That editorial - signed simply "The Cornell Daily Sun" - suggests certain qualities evident in fraternities can make women who visit them or encounter their members vulnerable to sexual assault.
"As a vehicle of hegemony, brotherhood can promote groupthink, creating a social environment where sexual assault may become allowable behavior," the editorial said, citing two studies it says back up its claim.
One study was conducted at a large midwestern university in 2005 with 325 undergraduate men, a quarter of whom belonged to fraternities. The study found fraternity men were three times more likely than non-fraternity men to commit "an act of sexual aggression" during a three-month follow-up period.
The other was a 2007 study that looked at first-year men at a midsized public university. That study found that men who joined fraternities and had seen a rape-prevention program were less likely to commit a "sexually coercive" act than fraternity men in a control group who hadn't seen the program.
Cornell placed Psi Upsilon on interim suspension last Wednesday. The fraternity may face further disciplinary action, according to a statement released by University President Elizabeth Garrett.
"We will be considering what additional steps should be taken to ensure the Greek community at Cornell is living up to our institutional standard of excellence and respect for others," the statement read.
- I spent $2,000 for 7 nights in a 179-square-foot room on one of the world's largest cruise ships. Take a look inside my cabin.
- Colon cancer rates are rising in young people. If you have two symptoms you should get a colonoscopy, a GI oncologist says.
- Saudi Arabia wants China to help fund its struggling $500 billion Neom megaproject. Investors may not be too excited.
- Catan adds climate change to the latest edition of the world-famous board game
- Tired of blatant misinformation in the media? This video game can help you and your family fight fake news!
- Tired of blatant misinformation in the media? This video game can help you and your family fight fake news!
- JNK India IPO allotment – How to check allotment, GMP, listing date and more
- Indian Army unveils selfie point at Hombotingla Pass ahead of 25th anniversary of Kargil Vijay Diwas
- JNK India IPO allotment date
- JioCinema New Plans
- Realme Narzo 70 Launched
- Apple Let Loose event
- Elon Musk Apology
- RIL cash flows
- Charlie Munger
- Feedbank IPO allotment
- Tata IPO allotment
- Most generous retirement plans
- Broadcom lays off
- Cibil Score vs Cibil Report
- Birla and Bajaj in top Richest
- Nestle Sept 2023 report
- India Equity Market