'No confidence' vote against Cornell leadership after alleged gang rape

Cornell University's Faculty Senate has voted 75-50 to declare no confidence in the institution's top leaders, following a former student's lawsuit alleging she was gang-raped at a fraternity party in 2024. The vote, which came after weeks of debate, highlights deep discontent on campus regarding how President Michael Kotlikoff and other administrators handled the allegations and addressed sexual misconduct at the university.

While the faculty body lacks power over the university's leaders, supporters hope the resolution will pressure Cornell's trustees to address what they see as longstanding institutional failures. The resolution passed despite five faculty senators abstaining and five not voting. The controversy began when a former student filed a lawsuit against Cornell and seven former Chi Phi fraternity members, claiming she was drugged and raped at a fraternity house in October 2024.

All defendants deny the allegations, citing consent or asserting they were not present. Cornell disciplined several accused students following a Title IX investigation, with punishments ranging from expulsion to completion of bystander training. The university has since formed a task force to study the issue of sexual misconduct, with recommendations submitted by the task force.

President Kotlikoff has pledged to improve the university's handling of sexual assault cases and requested additional time to implement changes, acknowledging he has not read the campus police report on the case. The no-confidence resolution was not intended to call for Kotlikoff's resignation.