Cornell faculty declares ‘no confidence’ in school leaders in fallout from alleged gang-rape
Faculty senate passed resolution expressing deep discontent with school’s response to alleged fraternity rape
TL;DR
- Cornell University's faculty senate approved a 'no confidence' resolution in the school's top leaders.
- The vote stems from discontent over the administration's handling of a lawsuit by a former student alleging gang-rape at a fraternity party in 2024.
- The resolution passed 75-50, with five abstentions and five non-votes.
- Faculty debated whether President Michael Kotlikoff and other administrators properly handled the allegations and addressed sexual misconduct.
- While symbolic, backers hoped the resolution would pressure trustees to address institutional failures.
- The lawsuit names the university and seven former Chi Phi fraternity members; the men deny the allegations.
- An initial investigation by the district attorney found no crime, but New York's attorney general has reopened the case.
- Cornell disciplined several accused students through a Title IX investigation, with punishments ranging from expulsion to reflection papers.
- President Kotlikoff convened a taskforce on sexual misconduct, which released recommendations.
- Some faculty expressed anger over Kotlikoff's perceived lack of forceful action.
- The no-confidence resolution did not call for Kotlikoff's resignation.