Cornell Faculty Senate Votes No Confidence in Leadership

Cornell University faculty rejected the university's current leadership in a symbolic vote on Friday. The Faculty Senate passed a resolution declaring no confidence in President Michael Kotlikoff and other top administrators. The measure passed with 75 votes in favor and 50 against. Five senators abstained, and five did not vote.

The vote reflects growing tension on campus following a lawsuit filed in mid-September. A former student, identified in court documents as Jane Doe, alleged that she was drugged with ketamine and gang raped at a Chi Phi fraternity house in October 2024. She sued the university and seven former fraternity members. All seven men denied the allegations, stating the encounter was consensual or that they were not involved.

Local law enforcement initially closed the case, determining that consent had been given. The investigation was later reopened and transferred to the New York state attorney general. Cornell conducted its own Title IX investigation, which resulted in disciplinary actions for six of the accused. Two students were expelled, two received suspensions and probation, and two completed reflection papers and bystander training. A seventh man, who had already graduated, was barred from campus.

Faculty members debated the vote for weeks. Critics argued that university leaders handled the allegations poorly and failed to curb sexual misconduct effectively. Co-sponsor Paul Ortiz, a labor history professor, said that hundreds of students, staff, and alumni contacted the resolution sponsors. He noted that they described the Jane Doe case as the tip of the iceberg and said a fortress of silence around sexual violence had been breached.

Kotlikoff addressed the Faculty Senate during the initial debate. He defended his leadership and argued that replacing him would not solve complex institutional problems. He stated that he had not read the campus police report because university policy prevented top administrators from interfering in criminal investigations. He also acknowledged that he only recently learned the plaintiff had left Cornell. Kotlikoff pledged to make the university a leader in addressing sexual assault and asked for more time to implement changes.

The university president convened a task force to study sexual misconduct. That body released specific recommendations. Kotlikoff indicated that Cornell might impose sweeping restrictions on Greek life to ensure fraternities can operate safely. He emphasized that decisions should be based on research and evidence rather than emotion. Some professors, however, criticized him for not acting forcefully enough to strengthen disciplinary processes or push for criminal investigations.

Anne Smalling, the chair of the Board of Trustees, addressed the vote in a statement. She said the result reflects deep anger across the campus and sends a clear signal that the incident was unacceptable. She maintained that Kotlikoff and his administration are the right leaders to address the issue thoughtfully and comprehensively. Thomas Giuffra, an attorney for the plaintiff, said in a statement that the vote is a step forward in educating the Cornell community and addressing the scourge of sexual assault on campus.

Some faculty members had urged colleagues to wait for the release of an independent investigation. Former U.S. Deputy Attorney General Sally Yates was hired to examine how Cornell responded to the initial 2024 rape report and its overall procedures. Iris Packman, a co-sponsor of the resolution, said the vote is only the beginning. She stated during a virtual news conference that the faculty have distanced themselves from the current leadership and are demanding sweeping reforms. The resolution did not call for Kotlikoff's resignation.