Cornell Faces No-Confidence Vote Amidst Gang Rape Allegations and Lawsuit
Faculty to vote on President Kotlikoff's leadership as university confronts civil rights inquiry and state investigation.
Sarah Connor
A former Cornell student alleges she was gang-raped at a fraternity house, sparking multiple investigations.
Cornell launched an internal investigation and a civil rights inquiry into the allegations. The university expelled two men, suspended two others, and barred one who had already graduated from campus following its internal review.
None of the men accused in the lawsuit face criminal charges. The local prosecutor initially declined to bring charges, though the case has since reopened.
Jane Doe felt unsupported and disbelieved by President Michael Kotlikoff. She recounts his initial response to her report, asking why she waited several weeks to come forward, stating it was along the lines of, 'Why did she wait so long to report it?'
It diminished my confidence in the administration's ability to approach my experience with the understanding, sensitivity, and fairness I had hoped for and expected from what had been my dream school.
A Cornell spokesperson asserts President Kotlikoff's question about the delay in reporting was directed at bystanders, not Jane Doe. The spokesperson clarified, 'The question ‘why did it take so long for the assault to be reported’ was directed at bystanders who did not use Cornell’s anonymous tip line, despite ongoing social media activity about the incident in October 2024.'
The spokesperson further clarified, 'He was not questioning Jane Doe’s reporting.' All seven former fraternity members accused by Doe deny wrongdoing.
The woman's case has prompted student protests and a state investigation into the alleged assault. The faculty senate has scheduled a vote on October 28, 2024, on whether to express no confidence in President Michael Kotlikoff's leadership.
Cornell faculty are considering a resolution of no confidence in the university administration's ability to address sexual assault on campus.