Cornell faculty vote no confidence in university leadership after alleged gang rape

Content warning: This article discusses sexual assault.

Cornell University’s Faculty Senate approved a resolution Friday declaring “no confidence” in the school’s top leaders. The symbolic vote reflected deep campus discontent after a former student sued the university, alleging she was gang raped at a fraternity party in 2024. The resolution passed 75-50, with five faculty senators abstaining and five others not voting, according to an email sent to senate members Friday afternoon. The vote followed weeks of debate over whether President Michael Kotlikoff and other administrators had handled the allegations properly and done enough to curb sexual misconduct. The faculty body has no authority over the university’s top leaders. Supporters said they hoped the vote would pressure trustees to address longstanding institutional failures they had identified. The resolution did not call for President Michael Kotlikoff to resign.

Board of Trustees Chair Anne Smalling said in a statement that the vote reflected deep anger across campus and clearly signalled that what happened to the woman was unacceptable. She added that Kotlikoff and his administration were the right leaders to address the issue thoughtfully and comprehensively. Thomas Giuffra, the lawyer for the woman who filed the lawsuit, said Friday that he hoped the vote would be another step toward educating and supporting the Cornell community and addressing the longstanding problem of sexual assault on campus.

The Cornell community has been distressed since mid-September, when the former student, identified only by the pseudonym Jane Doe in court documents, sued the university and seven former members of the Chi Phi fraternity. She alleged that she was given ketamine and raped at a fraternity house in October 2024. All seven men denied her allegations, saying the sex was consensual or that they were not involved. The local district attorney initially determined that the woman had consented to the encounter and that no crime had been committed. The investigation has since been reopened and transferred to the New York attorney general.

After a months-long Title IX investigation, Cornell disciplined several of the accused students. Records obtained by The New York Times say two were expelled, two received suspensions and university disciplinary probation, and two were required to write “reflection” papers and complete bystander training. A seventh man had already graduated and was barred from campus. Kotlikoff also convened a task force on sexual misconduct on campus, which issued recommendations.

Some faculty members criticized Kotlikoff for not taking stronger action to reinforce the university’s disciplinary process, push for criminal investigations and change campus party culture. Paul Ortiz, a labour history professor and co-sponsor of the resolution, said last week that hundreds of students, staff, alumni and faculty had contacted its sponsors. They emphasized that “the Jane Doe case is but a tip of the iceberg” and that “a veritable fortress of silence has been breached” around sexual violence since the resolution was introduced.

On the first day of debate on the resolution, Kotlikoff pledged to make Cornell a leader in addressing sexual assault and asked for more time to make changes. He defended his leadership, arguing that replacing him would do little to solve complex problems and could damage the university’s reputation. He acknowledged that he had not read the campus police report, explaining that university policy barred senior administrators from interfering in criminal investigations. He also rejected suggestions that he was indifferent to the woman’s case, while acknowledging that he had only recently learned she had left Cornell.

Kotlikoff said the university needed to determine whether fraternities could operate safely and left open the possibility of sweeping restrictions on Greek life. He argued that decisions should be based on research and evidence rather than emotion. Some professors had urged the faculty to wait until the release of an independent investigation by former U.S. Deputy Attorney General Sally Yates. Cornell hired Yates to examine its response to the woman’s initial rape report in 2024 and its overall procedures for handling similar reports from other students.

Iris Packman, a co-sponsor of the resolution, said Friday that the vote was “only the beginning” and that faculty would push for sweeping reforms. Speaking at a virtual news conference, she said: “Today we distanced ourselves from this leadership and said: They don’t speak for us. They are not the Cornell that we know and love. We are Cornell, and we know Cornell can and must do better.”

If you or someone you know is struggling with sexual assault or trauma, these resources are available for support:

Call 911 if you are in immediate danger or fear for your safety.

The Canadian Association of Sexual Assault Centres’ website (https://casac.ca/anti-violence-centres/) lists centres across Canada offering information, advocacy and counselling.

The Ending Violence Association of Canada’s website (https://endingviolencecanada.org/sexual-assault-centres-crisis-lines-and-support-services/) links to helplines, support services and locations across the country that offer sexual assault kits.

Indian Residential School Survivors Society crisis lines: +1 866 925 4419 or +1 800 721 0066 (24/7). Website: https://www.irsss.ca/.

Toronto Rape Crisis Centre crisis line: +1 416 597 8808 (24/7). Website: https://trccmwar.ca/crisis-line/.

Canadian Human Trafficking Hotline: +1 833 900 1010 (24/7). Website: https://www.canadianhumantraffickinghotline.ca/.

Trans Lifeline: +1 877 330 6366. Website: https://translifeline.org/.

Suicide Crisis Helpline: call or text 988 (24/7). Website: https://988.ca/.

The Sexual Misconduct Support and Resource Centre serves current and former Canadian Armed Forces members: +1 844 750 1648. Website: https://www.canada.ca/en/department-national-defence/services/contact-us/sexual-misconduct-response-centre.html.

The Canadian Resource Centre for Victims of Crime website (https://crcvc.ca/general_resources/know-your-rights/) provides information about victims’ rights.