Cornell bans fraternity parties, faculty senate debates president's future
On 17 October, Cornell University faculty senators debated a no-confidence resolution against President Michael Kotlikoff, NBC News reported. The vote came after the university, on 6 October, announced a moratorium on all fraternity house events through the 2026-27 academic year and granted New York State Police authority to investigate sexual crimes on campus, according to NPR. The actions follow a civil lawsuit filed by a woman identified as Jane Doe, who alleges a gang-rape at a fraternity house in October 2024; her attorney said she received death threats, doxxing attempts and a swatting incident (CNN).
Earlier, the plaintiff claimed Cornell police gave a false impression that a criminal probe was ongoing after the district attorney had closed the case (PBS). Text messages obtained by the New York Post showed the accuser’s distress over rumors, and philosophy professor Kate Manne publicly defended her while Governor Kathy Hochul appointed Attorney General Letitia James as special prosecutor (Bored Panda). Student protests demanding independent investigations were staged in late 2024 (Slate).
