The Cornell University Faculty Senate in Ithaca, N.Y., passed a resolution on Monday declaring it has “no confidence” in President Michael I. Kotlikoff and senior administrators. The vote, 75 to 50 with five abstentions, follows renewed scrutiny of the university’s handling of a rape allegation involving the Chi Phi fraternity in October 2024.
Faculty concerns and resolution sponsor
Labor‑history professor Paul Ortiz, who authored the resolution, said faculty acted after hearing from “scores of current students, alumni, staff and faculty” who described the Jane Doe case as merely the tip of an “iceberg” of sexual assault on campus. Ortiz warned that generations of students have endured rape and sexual assault that were “ignored and swept under the rug” by this and prior administrations.
Allegations and university response
In September 2025, Jane Doe filed a civil lawsuit alleging she was pressured to consume ketamine and gang‑raped by seven Chi Phi fraternity brothers on the night of Oct. 19, 2024. She reported the incident to Cornell Police in November 2024. The university launched an investigation that concluded in May 2025, resulting in the expulsion and suspension of the seven men. Tompkins County District Attorney Matthew Van Houten declined to file criminal charges, stating there was insufficient evidence to prosecute.
Implications of the vote
While the no‑confidence vote does not immediately remove President Kotlikoff or any other administrator, it serves as a public rebuke and increases pressure on Cornell’s Board of Trustees, which ultimately decides the university’s leadership. Faculty members said the vote is intended to force a new level of transparency, empathy, and safety for all students.
Proposed next steps
Ortiz announced plans for a “Cornell University Oral History Project of Survivors of Sexual Violence,” aimed at gathering survivor testimonies, developing educational curricula, and hosting panels and symposia. The faculty hopes the project will evolve into a national listening effort, addressing what they describe as a “national crisis” of rape culture and sexual assault.
Broader context
The resolution reflects growing demands across campuses nationwide for stronger policies to protect students from sexual violence and for institutions to be accountable when allegations arise. Critics of the university’s handling argue that protecting the institution’s reputation should never outweigh the safety and dignity of survivors.
University officials have not yet issued a formal response to the faculty Senate’s resolution. The Board of Trustees is expected to convene later this month to discuss the faculty’s concerns and potential actions.
Original reporting: CNY Central WSTM (Sinclair) – local — read the source article.
