Cornell Faculty Senate Votes No Confidence in Administration

Politics · First reported 6 Nov, 16:57 · Updated 21:01

Image: Wikimedia Commons · Robert Wade · CC BY-SA 2.0

Cornell’s Faculty Senate passed a no-confidence resolution over the administration’s handling of sexual assault at the university. The vote is symbolic and does not itself change university leadership; the Board of Trustees expressed confidence in President Michael Kotlikoff.

The resolution passed 75–50, with five abstentions and five senators not voting. It said the Senate had no confidence in the central administration’s ability to address sexual assault at Cornell.
The vote followed a former student’s lawsuit alleging she was sexually assaulted at the Chi Phi fraternity house in 2024. The seven men named in the lawsuit deny the allegations.
The Faculty Senate cannot remove university leaders. The Board of Trustees said it remained confident in Kotlikoff and his administration.
New York Attorney General Letitia James is overseeing an investigation, with former federal prosecutor Jacqueline Kelly appointed to lead it. Some defendants are seeking to have James removed from the inquiry, citing alleged bias.
Cornell commissioned former acting attorney general Sally Yates to review its handling of the matter. Kotlikoff has said the university is considering changes to fraternity life and support for students who report sexual assault.

Summary written by Lux AI from 6 articles

Key facts

Vote: 75 in favour, 50 opposed, five abstentions and five not voting.
Resolution: The Faculty Senate declared no confidence in the central administration’s ability to address sexual assault at Cornell.
Leadership effect: The vote does not directly determine leadership decisions.
Investigation: Jacqueline Kelly was appointed to lead an inquiry under New York Attorney General Letitia James.
Independent review: Former acting attorney general Sally Yates was commissioned to examine Cornell’s handling of the matter.