The Cornell 7: They Assign Essays When They're Embarrassed

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Content note: the second half of this episode talks about sexual assault.

Senior year. AP Government. A teacher who was also a lawyer, who made us call him Doctor, and who told us in literally every class to question authority.

So one day, we did.

The test he left made no sense. We talked it through as a class, decided not to take it until he could clarify, and left him a signed note explaining why.

He came back furious. Threatened to fail all of us. Gave us a presentation on groupthink. Then assigned us two five-page essays.

It took me years to understand what that was.

They assign essays when they're embarrassed that you did what they taught you to do.

Which is why I can't stop thinking about Cornell, where a lawsuit filed this month says a woman was sexually assaulted by seven fraternity members in 2024, and that some of them were allowed to write an essay to keep their place at school. Cornell says essays weren't anybody's only consequence. I'd love to see the rest of the list.

The two stories are miles apart. The intent behind the punishment is the same.

This is cultural. It's not an accident. And an essay is not a punishment.

Since I recorded this, the Tompkins County District Attorney has reopened the criminal investigation and says the case is going to a grand jury.