Cornell president defends assault-case response as faculty weigh no-confidence vote
In short
Cornell President Michael Kotlikoff defended his administration's response to a former student's sexual assault allegations at a faculty meeting Wednesday, as senators considered a no-confidence resolution. He had acknowledged knowing of the complaint in 2024 without following up on the student's situation or the investigation's outcome.
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Cornell University President Michael Kotlikoff defended his administration's handling of a former student's sexual assault allegations at a faculty senate meeting Wednesday, as members considered a no-confidence resolution. ABC News, citing an audio recording, reported that faculty questioned whether the university had responded to pressure rather than provided sustained leadership on sexual violence. [ 12 ]
The meeting followed an interview with The New York Times in which Kotlikoff acknowledged learning in November 2024 that a student had reported being sexually assaulted at a fraternity party. He said he did not follow up with her or learn whether the accused men had been punished. He also said he did not know she had left Cornell until she filed a lawsuit the previous month. [ 2 , 5 , 6 ]
The former student, identified as Jane Doe, alleges that seven Chi Phi fraternity members sexually assaulted her at a party in October 2024 and that Cornell mishandled her complaints. The Guardian and The Seattle Times reported that all the men named in the lawsuit denied wrongdoing and none had been criminally charged. [ 2 , 6 ]
Kotlikoff acknowledged a loss of trust but resisted calls to leave his post. At the faculty meeting, he asked for time to implement reforms and address the culture of student social life, according to Associated Press reporting carried by the New York Post. He said Cornell needed to determine whether fraternities could operate safely and left open the possibility of broader restrictions. [ 5 , 11 ]
Cornell has banned fraternity parties through the end of the academic year and announced plans to involve state police in investigating sexual assault reports. ABC reported that New York Attorney General Letitia James was investigating the incident and Cornell was reviewing its own response. The faculty senate's debate was expected to continue on October 28, followed by electronic voting, the New York Post reported. [ 9 , 11 , 12 ]
Why it matters
The case has prompted a ban on fraternity parties for the rest of the academic year and plans to involve state police in sexual assault investigations. Faculty scrutiny and state and university investigations are continuing.
Key facts
- Kotlikoff faced faculty questions Wednesday about the university's response to the allegations. [ 11 , 12 ]
- He acknowledged learning of the complaint in 2024 but not following up on its outcome. [ 2 , 5 , 6 , 9 ]
- Cornell banned fraternity parties through the end of the academic year. [ 5 , 9 , 11 ]
- A faculty no-confidence vote is expected at the end of the month. [ 11 , 12 ]
Confirmed by several sources
Still unclear
- The former student's allegations remain contested. The Guardian and The Seattle Times reported that all men named in the lawsuit denied wrongdoing and none had been criminally charged; ABC reported continuing investigations.