Cornell Faculty Senate Backs No-Confidence Vote 75-50 Over Sexual Assault Response
Updated
Updated · The Washington Post · Nov 6
Cornell Faculty Senate Backs No-Confidence Vote 75-50 Over Sexual Assault Response
3 articles · Updated · The Washington Post · Nov 6
Summary
Seventy-five of 135 Cornell faculty senators voted no confidence in the university’s central administration, with 50 opposed and 10 abstaining or not voting, in a symbolic rebuke over its handling of sexual assault allegations.
The vote followed a civil lawsuit by a former student, filed as Jane Doe, who alleges she was drugged, given alcohol and gang-raped at a fraternity in 2024 before later dropping out.
Trustees said the result reflected campus anger but kept confidence in President Michael Kotlikoff, while faculty backers said the measure was meant to signal support for survivors and push a cultural shift.
Cornell has already banned the fraternity chapter, suspended fraternity parties, launched a sexual-assault task force and signed an agreement letting complainants choose state or campus police for criminal investigations.
The dispute now sits alongside parallel outside scrutiny: New York Attorney General Letitia James has appointed former federal prosecutor Jaqueline Kelly to lead a criminal probe, and Cornell trustees ordered an independent review.