ITHACA
Cornell University faculty are moving toward a formal vote of no confidence against the university administration over its handling of an alleged sexual assault case from 2024.
Faculty Senator Paul Ortiz submitted the resolution Monday evening. The Faculty Senate, comprising more than 75 voting members, will vote on Oct. 14. A no-confidence vote expresses serious dissatisfaction with leadership and can pressure top officials to make changes.
The move follows Cornell President Michael Kotlikoff breaking his public silence on the case Saturday. In an eight-minute video, Kotlikoff called the allegations involving "Jane Doe" deeply disturbing and acknowledged that the university's handling created distrust among the community.
Kotlikoff said Cornell needs to be more transparent about what occurred after the allegations were reported. He noted legal and privacy limitations on what the university can publicly disclose and expressed support for New York Attorney General Letitia James taking over the criminal investigation at Governor Kathy Hochul's direction.
The university president announced Cornell will commission an independent review by an outside law firm into how it handled the case. The Board of Trustees is expected to announce more details later this week.
The push for a no-confidence vote follows unrest on campus. Demonstrators marched from Ho Plaza to Day Hall calling for changes to university sexual assault policies. Early-morning vandalism at Day Hall—including a broken glass door and graffiti—preceded the protests. Cornell Police are investigating the vandalism.
