75 Faculty Senators Vote to Withhold Confidence from Cornell President

Cornell University faculty members voted 75-50 on Friday to declare a lack of confidence in the university's top leadership. The Faculty Senate approved the resolution after weeks of debate regarding the administration's handling of a sexual assault case. Five members abstained from the vote, while five others did not participate. The outcome was communicated to senators via email on Friday afternoon.

The vote follows a lawsuit filed by a former student in mid-September. The plaintiff, identified as Jane Doe in court records, alleged that she was given ketamine and 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, claiming the encounter was consensual or that they were not involved.

Local authorities initially concluded that the woman had consented and that no crime occurred. The district attorney's office has since reopened the investigation and transferred it to New York's attorney general. Cornell University conducted its own Title IX investigation over several months. Two accused students were expelled, and two received suspensions and probation. Two others completed reflection papers and bystander training. A seventh man, who had already graduated, was barred from campus.

President Michael Kotlikoff convened a task force to study sexual misconduct on campus. The group released specific recommendations. Some faculty members criticized Kotlikoff for not taking stronger action to change campus party culture or push for criminal investigations. They argued the school's disciplinary process needed strengthening.

Anne Smalling, the chair of the Board of Trustees, said in a statement that the faculty vote reflects deep anger across the campus. She stated that the result sends a clear signal that the incident was unacceptable. Smalling added that Kotlikoff and his team are the right leaders to address the issue thoughtfully and comprehensively.

Thomas Giuffra, an attorney for the plaintiff, said the vote is a step forward. He expressed hope that the action will help educate and support the Cornell community by addressing sexual assault. Paul Ortiz, a labor history professor who co-sponsored the resolution, said hundreds of community members approached the sponsors. He noted that the Jane Doe case is a tip of the iceberg and that a fortress of silence around sexual violence has been breached.

Kotlikoff addressed the Faculty Senate during the first day of debate. He pledged to make the university a leader in addressing sexual assault and asked for more time to implement changes. He argued that replacing him would do little to solve complex problems and could damage the school's reputation. Kotlikoff acknowledged he had not read the campus police report because university policy bars top administrators from interfering in criminal investigations.

The president said the university must determine if fraternities can operate safely. He left open the possibility of sweeping restrictions on Greek life. He urged decisions to be based on research and evidence rather than emotion. Some professors suggested waiting for an independent investigation by former U.S. Deputy Attorney General Sally Yates. Yates was hired to examine how Cornell responded to the initial rape report and its overall procedures.

Yasmeen Masoud, a Cornell junior, spoke at a news conference organized by the resolution's sponsors. She said the vote is encouraging for students who are frustrated with the university's response. Masoud stated that students should not have to beg for answers or demand basic transparency to get their concerns acknowledged. Iris Packman, a co-sponsor, said the vote is only the beginning and that faculty will push for sweeping reforms. The resolution did not call for Kotlikoff's resignation.