Cornell Faculty Rebuke Leadership Over Assault Response

Cornell University faculty have passed a symbolic no-confidence vote criticizing the administration’s handling of sexual assault concerns, following allegations by a former student known as Jane Doe. The vote passed 75 to 50. Doe is suing Cornell and the Chi Phi fraternity, alleging that several men gang-raped her at the fraternity house in October 2024. The seven men accused have denied wrongdoing, and none has been charged. The faculty senate resolution said it lacked confidence in the central administration’s ability to address what it described as an ongoing crisis of sexual assault, but it did not specify particular administrative failures or make recommendations. The vote rebukes university leaders, including President Michael Kotlikoff. Doe has alleged that Kotlikoff asked why she waited several weeks to report the incident; Cornell has called her account of his reaction incorrect. Doe’s lawyer, Thomas Giuffra, said faculty had considered the available information and expressed hope that the vote would help educate and support the campus community. Cornell’s board of trustees said it remained confident in Kotlikoff and his administration, while its chairwoman, Anne Meinig Smalling, acknowledged that the vote reflected deep campus anger and signaled that what happened to Doe was unacceptable. The university has faced intense backlash since Doe filed her lawsuit in September. Although she reported the alleged assault to campus police, the local prosecutor declined to bring charges at the time. Cornell has acknowledged shortcomings in its handling of the case, hired a former attorney general to conduct an independent review, and announced measures that include cancelling fraternity parties. Separately, New York state prosecutors led by Attorney General Letitia James are investigating whether criminal charges are warranted. Governor Kathy Hochul has also announced that state police will investigate future sexual-offence complaints at Cornell.

Cornell University’s faculty senate voted 75-50 to declare no confidence in the university’s senior leadership, including President Michael Kotlikoff. Five senators abstained and five did not vote. The resolution is symbolic: the faculty body cannot remove university leaders, but its supporters hope the vote will pressure Cornell’s trustees to address what they describe as longstanding institutional failures in responding to sexual misconduct. The vote followed weeks of debate over the university’s handling of a former student’s allegations. The woman, identified in court documents as Jane Doe, sued Cornell and seven former members of the Chi Phi fraternity, alleging that she was given ketamine and raped at a fraternity house in October 2024. The men have denied the allegations, saying the sex was consensual or that they were not involved. A local district attorney initially concluded that the woman had consented and that no crime occurred; the investigation has since been reopened and transferred to New York’s attorney general. Cornell disciplined several accused students after an internal investigation. Trustees chair Anne Smalling said the vote reflected anger on campus and that what happened to the woman was unacceptable, but maintained that Kotlikoff and his administration were the right leaders to address the issue. The woman’s lawyer, Thomas Giuffra, said he hoped the vote would help educate and support the Cornell community and address sexual assault on campus. Faculty critics say Kotlikoff has not done enough to strengthen disciplinary procedures, encourage criminal investigations or change campus party culture. Kotlikoff has defended his leadership, pledged to make Cornell a leader in addressing sexual assault and asked faculty for more time. He said replacing him would not solve the complex problems and could harm the university’s reputation. He also said university policy prevented senior administrators from interfering in criminal investigations, explaining why he had not read a campus police report. Some professors wanted to wait for an independent review led by former U.S. deputy attorney general Sally Yates. Student Yasmeen Masoud called the vote encouraging, saying students should not have to seek media attention or demand basic transparency to have their concerns acknowledged. The resolution did not call for Kotlikoff to resign.

Cornell University's Faculty Senate has voted 75-50 to declare no confidence in the university administration's handling of sexual misconduct on campus. Five senators abstained and five did not vote. The resolution followed weeks of faculty debate over whether President Michael Kotlikoff and other administrators had done enough to address the issue. It was prompted in large part by a lawsuit filed in September by a former student identified as Jane Doe, who alleges that she was drugged and raped at a Chi Phi fraternity house in October 2024. The seven former fraternity members named in the suit deny the allegations, saying the sex was consensual or that they were not involved. Cornell closed the fraternity chapter and disciplined several students after learning of the case. Campus police initially investigated and referred their findings to the Tompkins County district attorney, who declined to prosecute. That decision drew widespread criticism; the investigation has since been reopened and transferred to the New York attorney general. Faculty members have criticized Kotlikoff for not doing more to strengthen university discipline, encourage criminal investigations, and change campus party culture. Although the Faculty Senate cannot remove or direct university leaders, supporters hoped the resolution would pressure Cornell's trustees to address what they view as longstanding institutional failures. Board Chair Anne Smalling said the vote reflected deep campus anger and affirmed that what happened to Jane Doe was unacceptable, while also expressing the trustees' support for Kotlikoff and his administration. Kotlikoff has 30 days to respond in writing. He has pointed to steps Cornell has taken, including adding staff to its civil rights office, expanding sexual assault prevention education, and hiring victim-advocacy staff. Resolution co-sponsor Iris Packman said the vote was only the beginning and that faculty would seek sweeping reforms. Student Yasmeen Masoud described the outcome as encouraging, saying students should not have to fight for answers, transparency, or acknowledgment of their concerns.