Gang rape allegation response prompts Cornell faculty senate to begin confidence vote
Faculty prepare to vote
The faculty meeting is scheduled for Wednesday at 3:30 p.m. It will be closed to the public and media, and an electronic ballot will open afterward and remain available through Nov. 6.
Individual ballots will be anonymous. Though a no-confidence result would not decide who leads Cornell, it could send a message to the university’s trustees.
Lawsuit alleges assault
A woman identified in court documents as Jane Doe filed a lawsuit last month. She alleges seven fraternity members sexually assaulted her at a university frat house in October 2024, and says Cornell mishandled her complaints.
In a New York Times interview, Kotlikoff said he had not followed up to find out what happened to the woman or whether any of the accused men were punished. He also said he did not know she had left Cornell until the lawsuit was filed.
Kotlikoff defends his leadership
An audio recording of the closed faculty meeting was obtained by The Associated Press. In it, Kotlikoff acknowledges missteps but defends his leadership and urges faculty members to have confidence in him.
He points to an independent investigation into Cornell’s handling of the case, saying it could lead to meaningful reforms. Kotlikoff became interim president in July 2024 and took the position permanently last year.
Key points
- Cornell faculty will vote on a no-confidence resolution about the university’s handling of Jane Doe’s allegations.
- The anonymous electronic vote is scheduled to remain open through Nov. 6.
- Kotlikoff acknowledged missteps and cited an independent investigation as a path to reform.
- A faculty no-confidence result could send a message to trustees, who decide Cornell’s leadership.