Cornell Faculty Launch Vote on President Over Fraternity Rape Handling

Cornell University faculty are casting anonymous votes on a no-confidence resolution aimed at President Michael Kotlikoff. The measure targets his administration's response to a woman who reported being gang raped at a campus fraternity house in 2024. The vote reflects deep frustration among professors regarding the university's management of the case and its subsequent investigations.

The initiative gained momentum following an Oct. 14 Faculty Senate meeting where members confronted the president directly. The session was closed to the media, but an audio recording obtained by The Associated Press captured the exchange. During the meeting, Kotlikoff acknowledged some missteps in the university's handling of the allegations. He defended his leadership while asking for additional time to implement reforms and shift cultural norms in student social life. He pointed to an independent investigation into the case as a path toward meaningful change.

The controversy centers on a lawsuit filed last month by a woman identified as Jane Doe. Court documents allege that seven members of the Chi Phi fraternity sexually assaulted or exploited her in October 2024. The suit claims Cornell mishandled her complaints. All seven men have denied the allegations. A criminal investigation by Cornell’s police department stalled after the local district attorney declined to pursue charges. In an interview with The New York Times, Kotlikoff stated he never followed up to learn what happened to the woman or the investigation.

During the Senate session, a faculty member asked if Kotlikoff had read the police report. He admitted he had not, citing university policy that top administrators should not have a role in confidential criminal investigations. "I really reject the idea that I had no interest in it or was not concerned about it," Kotlikoff said. He argued that replacing a president would harm the university's reputation and that experienced leadership was necessary to confront the problems. Faculty members also questioned the handling of a disciplined student's return to campus, noting he was assigned to a shared dorm room with a roommate unaware of his history.

After the president departed, several faculty speakers stated they had lost confidence in the administration's ability to combat sexual assault. Some Senate members warned that a hasty vote might do little to fix underlying issues. The no-confidence vote is largely symbolic but could send a message to the university trustees, who hold the final decision on leadership. Kotlikoff became interim president in July 2024 and took the role permanently last year. His tenure has included a dining and custodial workers strike, a $60 million settlement with the Trump administration over civil rights investigations, and activist accusations that his administration stifled campus protests.

The meeting to conclude the debate is scheduled for Wednesday at 3:30 p.m. The session will be closed to the public and media. Electronic voting will open immediately afterward and remain active through Nov. 6. Individual votes will remain anonymous.