Cornell faculty senate begins voting on no-confidence resolution regarding campus sexual violence response

A successful vote increases pressure on university leadership to alter policies or personnel, though the faculty senate lacks binding authority to enforce changes.

• •Cornell's faculty senate is voting electronically over five days on a symbolic no-confidence resolution concerning the administration's handling of sexual violence.
• •The resolution text states: 'The Faculty Senate has no confidence in the ability of the central administration to effectively address the ongoing crisis of sexual assault at Cornell University.'
• •The faculty senate does not have the legal or administrative power to force changes or remove leaders.
• •The debate and upcoming vote were prompted in part by a lawsuit filed by a former student who alleged she was sexually assaulted at a school fraternity in 2024.
• •The New York attorney general's office is conducting an ongoing investigation into the matter, though no criminal charges have been filed.
• •President Michael Kotlikoff defended his response, arguing that Title IX investigations followed school policy, federal law, and proper due process.
• •A letter from the student's attorney alleged that Kotlikoff responded to her report two years ago by asking why she waited so long to report it.
• •A Cornell University spokesperson disputed the letter's characterization of Kotlikoff's remarks, citing a documented first-hand account.