Cornell University Faculty Vote No Confidence in Leaders Over Sexual Assault Response

Cornell University's Faculty Senate passed a resolution declaring no confidence in top campus leaders by a vote of 75 to 50. Five senators abstained and five did not vote in the electronic ballot.

Background

The vote followed weeks of debate over how President Michael Kotlikoff and other administrators handled a former student's lawsuit. The student alleged she was given ketamine and gang raped by seven former members of the Chi Phi fraternity at a house in October 2024. All accused men denied the claims, stating the encounters were consensual or they were not involved. The local district attorney initially decided no crime occurred, but the case was later reopened and sent to New York's attorney general.

Disciplinary Actions And Defense

Cornell disciplined several accused students after a Title IX investigation. Two men were expelled, two were suspended with probation, and two had to write reflection papers and complete bystander training. A seventh man had already graduated and was barred from campus. President Kotlikoff defended his leadership and asked for time to make changes, noting that university policy stopped him from reading the campus police report to avoid interfering in criminal investigations. Some professors urged patience until an independent investigation by former U.S. Deputy Attorney General Sally Yates is released.

Context

Faculty votes of no confidence are symbolic actions used to show deep institutional unhappiness and pressure school trustees, though they do not carry the power to remove officials. Universities across the United States frequently face intense pressure from students and staff to reform campus safety rules and oversight of Greek life systems when sexual misconduct allegations arise.