Incidents of sexual assault on college campuses are making national headlines after a former student at Cornell University filed a lawsuit last month alleging she was gang raped in a fraternity house in 2024.
Since then, two cases of sexual assault at fraternity houses near the University of Chicago have also gained national attention. Both cases are currently under investigation by the Chicago Police Department.
The allegations have prompted a series of protests and increased programming around sexual violence prevention on college campuses.
Ella Fast, a student at the University of Chicago, described what it’s like to be a student on a college campus right now.
“After these two most recent cases came to light, I think that the conversations around sexual assault on UChicago’s campus and across campuses across the country (have) definitely heightened among certain individuals,” Fast said.
According to the National Sexual Violence Resource Center, 1 in 5 women and 1 in 16 men experience sexual assault while in college.
“It’s always shocking when something happens on your campus, but at the same time, this is a reality that isn’t new,” Fast said. “The cases at Cornell and LSU and UChicago are not something that’s new, it is just gaining more notoriety in this particular social moment.”
Fast and other students are organizing a rally scheduled for Wednesday for students at UChicago and community members to show support for survivors of sexual assault. A goal is to encourage all colleges and universities to be held accountable for preventing these incidents and educating students.
Other local universities recently released data showing an increase in reports related to sexual violence.
Northwestern University reported an increase in rape cases, with nine reports in 2025 compared to four in 2024.
Loyola University Chicago’s 2026 Clery Report shows six cases of rape were reported in 2025, the highest amount recorded since 2019.
Ella Schumacher, a student at Loyola University Chicago and reporter for the Loyola Phoenix, said this data shocked many students.
“Loyola’s often seen as a safer campus and a safer space, so I think that it really took that aspect of Loyola away for some students,” Schumacher said.
In a statement to WTTW News, a spokesperson for the university wrote, “Loyola University Chicago always prioritizes the safety of our students. As such, Loyola takes reports of sexual misconduct very seriously, and responds promptly, equitably, and in accordance with our legal and ethical responsibilities to promote a safe and inclusive learning environment for all. Support resources are available to any individuals affected, including assistance reporting to law enforcement, University reporting options, confidential advocacy support, counseling services, and academic assistance, where appropriate.”
Students are also calling for more action from universities when incidents are reported. Fast said many universities are more concerned with protecting their reputation than supporting survivors.
“There’s a lack of care, it feels like, from the university,” Fast said. “As an entity that is an institution, they want to avoid a kind of liability in these issues and what could arise after it.”
Students are also calling Greek life into question, as a high number of incidents of sexual misconduct involve students who belong to a fraternity or sorority.
The University of Chicago does not recognize any fraternities and sororities and is therefore not responsible for maintaining institutional oversight over the chapters. While students are permitted to be involved in Greek life and live in fraternity or sorority housing, those students are still subject to the university’s policies and disciplinary action.
Griffin Halstead, a student at the University of Chicago, said administrators should do more to protect students involved in Greek life.
“While obviously many cases of sexual assault do not happen in fraternities, many of them do, including the two most recent cases at UChicago,” Halstead said. “Even though they are on South University Ave., they are right by the center of our campus, and they are a big part of our social life. The university does not actually take ownership of regulating the things that go on there. And I think that they should absolutely reexamine their relationship to the fraternities if they’re going to continue existing on our campus.”
In a statement to WTTW News, a spokesperson from the University of Chicago wrote, in part, “These allegations are very disturbing to the University community. The University of Chicago is committed to addressing and preventing incidents of sexual assault.”
But while these cases have sparked national outrage, Schumacher said the attention is also allowing important conversations to take place.
“What is going on is something that everyone on any college campus or people who aren’t on college campuses are able to educate themselves on and see the effects of a little bit more immediately,” Schumacher said. “I think national media attention also can put a little more pressure on universities, especially when universities seem to sometimes want to protect their image over their students.”
