Cornell faculty senate passes no-confidence resolution over handling of sexual assault case
The Cornell University faculty senate voted 75-50 to express no confidence in President Michael Kotlikoff and senior administrators following a lawsuit alleging a gang rape at a fraternity party.
The faculty senate of Cornell University approved a resolution on Friday that declares no confidence in President Michael Kotlikoff and other senior administrators, a symbolic move reflecting campus discontent after a former student sued the university over a gang-rape allegation at a fraternity party in October 2024. The vote tally was 75 in favor, 50 against, with five abstentions and five members not voting, according to an email sent to senate members.
Board of Trustees chair Anne Smalling said the vote "reflects the deep anger across our campus" and signals that the alleged assault is unacceptable, while affirming that Kotlikoff and his team are the appropriate leaders to address the issue thoughtfully and comprehensively.
Attorney Thomas Giuffra, representing the plaintiff, said the resolution "will be yet another step forward to educate and support the Cornell community by addressing the longstanding scourge of sexual assault on campus."
The lawsuit, filed by a former student identified as Jane Doe, accuses seven former members of the Chi Phi fraternity of giving her ketamine and raping her. All accused deny the allegations, and the local district attorney initially concluded no crime occurred, but the case has been reopened and transferred to New York’s attorney general. Cornell disciplined several of the accused after a month-long investigation and President Kotlikoff convened a task force that issued recommendations on sexual misconduct.
During the debate, Kotlikoff defended his leadership, arguing that replacing him would not solve the complex problem and could harm the university’s reputation. He noted that university policy prevents top administrators from intervening in criminal investigations and said he only recently learned the plaintiff had left Cornell.
Some faculty members called for waiting on the vote until an independent review by former U.S. deputy attorney general Sally Yates is released. Undergraduate student Yasmeen Masoud, speaking at a news conference organized by resolution supporters, said the vote shows that “people across this university care deeply about its future and are willing to stand together to demand a better Cornell.”
The resolution does not call for Kotlikoff’s resignation.