Faculty members at Cornell University are set to continue deliberations Wednesday and open balloting on a proposed Cornell no-confidence vote targeting university leadership over its handling of a woman’s report that she was gang raped at a fraternity house in 2024.
Wednesday’s session follows a closed Faculty Senate meeting on Oct. 14 in which members sharply questioned President Michael Kotlikoff about the university’s response to the allegations, according to officials familiar with the proceedings.
Audio of that meeting, obtained by The Associated Press, captures Kotlikoff acknowledging missteps while defending his leadership. He urged faculty to maintain confidence in his administration and argued that replacing him could harm the university’s reputation.
Pressed by a faculty member on whether he had reviewed the Cornell University Police Department’s report on the allegations, Kotlikoff conceded he had not, while rejecting any suggestion that he lacked concern for the case.
A woman identified in court filings as Jane Doe filed a lawsuit last month alleging that seven fraternity members sexually assaulted her in October 2024 and that Cornell mishandled her complaints. The seven men have denied the accusations.
The criminal inquiry by Cornell police did not advance after the local district attorney declined to bring charges, according to authorities.
In a New York Times interview, Kotlikoff said he did not follow up to learn what happened to the woman or whether any accused students faced discipline. He also said he did not know Jane Doe had withdrawn from Cornell until the lawsuit was filed.
Cornell no-confidence vote process
The Senate meeting is scheduled to begin at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday and will be closed to the public and media. Electronic voting will open after the session and remain available through Nov. 6, with individual ballots cast anonymously, according to the Senate.
While a Cornell no-confidence vote by faculty would be largely symbolic, it could send a signal to the university’s Board of Trustees, which holds authority over leadership decisions.
Kotlikoff became Cornell’s interim president in July 2024 and was later appointed to the role on a permanent basis last year.