U.S. Cornell faculty pass no-confidence resolution against president amid controversy over response to alleged gang rape

[Financial News] Cornell University faculty voted to pass a no-confidence resolution against the president and university administration, criticizing the university’s response to allegations of gang rape on campus.
On the 6th (local time), the Cornell faculty council passed a no-confidence resolution targeting President Michael Kotlikoff and the university administration, by 75 votes in favor and 50 against, according to The Associated Press (AP), CNN and other outlets. Five members abstained, and five did not take part in the vote.
The vote stemmed from controversy over the university’s response to allegations of gang rape at a fraternity house on campus in October 2024.
A woman who was a Cornell student at the time claimed she had been sexually assaulted by seven male students and filed a lawsuit last September against the university, the fraternity and the men involved.
After conducting its own investigation, the university expelled two male students and suspended two others. The woman who says she was victimized, however, maintains that the university did not investigate the incident adequately and that its disciplinary measures were also inappropriate.
Among faculty, some called for sexual violence on campus to be viewed as a structural problem rather than as a series of individual incidents. Criticism also continued that the university leadership was failing to respond properly to sexual violence.
The professors who introduced the no-confidence resolution issued a statement after the vote, saying, “The university administration repeatedly tried to silence us, but faculty members united to voice their dissatisfaction and demand that Cornell do better.”
The faculty council does not have the authority to directly remove the president. However, professors who supported the resolution have maintained that the vote could put pressure on the university leadership and board to make changes.
The board acknowledged the concerns raised by faculty while maintaining its confidence in the current leadership.
Cornell board chair Ann Smalling said in a statement that the vote “reflects anger across our campus.” She also said that President Kotlikoff and the current university leadership were the right people to address sexual violence on campus thoughtfully and comprehensively.

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