Cornell University's faculty senate has approved a resolution of "no confidence" in the university's top leaders. This symbolic gesture follows a former student's lawsuit alleging she was gang-raped at a fraternity party in 2024.
The resolution passed on Friday with 75 votes in favour, 50 against, five abstentions, and five faculty senators not voting. The vote reflects significant discontent among professors regarding how President Michael Kotlikoff and other administrators addressed the allegations and their efforts to curb sexual misconduct.
Despite the faculty body having no direct power over the university's leadership, supporters of the resolution hoped it would pressure Cornell's trustees to address what they perceive as long-standing institutional failures. The board of trustees acknowledged the deep anger on campus and stated that the vote sent a "clear signal that what happened to Jane Doe is unacceptable." However, the board affirmed its full support for President Kotlikoff and his administration, citing expanded sexual assault prevention education and additional victim advocates as evidence of their response.
The Cornell community has been in distress since mid-September when the lawsuit was filed against the university and seven former members of the Chi Phi fraternity. The accused men have denied the allegations. The local district attorney initially found no crime, but the investigation has since been reopened and transferred to New York's attorney general.
Cornell disciplined several accused students after a Title IX investigation, resulting in two expulsions, two suspensions with probation, and two being required to write "reflection" papers and complete bystander training. A seventh man, who had already graduated, was barred from campus.