Cornell faculty senate begins debating no-confidence resolution over sexual assault response

Left · 1Cornell University's faculty senate on Wednesday 14 October began deliberating a no-confidence resolution condemning the school's response to sexual violence on campus. 1 Left · 1The one-sentence text reads: "The Faculty Senate has no confidence in the ability of the central administration to effectively address the ongoing crisis of sexual assault at Cornell University." It does not demand resignations or specific policy changes. 1 Left · 1The controversy centres on a woman identified in court documents as Jane Doe, who filed a lawsuit alleging that seven Chi Phi fraternity members sexually assaulted or exploited her in October 2024 and that Cornell mishandled her complaints. 2

Left · 1Tompkins County District Attorney Matthew Van Houten initially declined to press charges after reviewing a Cornell University Police summary, later said it omitted key details, and reopened the investigation after the lawsuit. Gov. Kathy Hochul then removed him from the case, appointed Attorney General Letitia James as special prosecutor and ordered an independent review of Cornell's handling. 2 Left · 2On Tuesday, President Michael Kotlikoff announced measures including suspending fraternity social events during a review of fraternity life (The Independent reports a ban on fraternity parties through the end of the academic year), more staff for the Office of Civil Rights, which conducts Title IX investigations, and a role for New York State Police in investigating sexual assault reports. 1 2 Left · 1In a New York Times interview published Tuesday, Kotlikoff acknowledged that he knew in 2024 of the student's report but never followed up on the outcome of the criminal or Title IX investigations, and did not know until recently that she had dropped out or that students had been expelled or suspended. 2

Left · 1Wednesday's 90-minute meeting was scheduled to start with remarks from Kotlikoff and Provost Kavita Bala, who would take questions, followed by the Sexual Assault Task Force and the director of sexual harassment and assault response, with debate on the resolution in the final 30 minutes. 1 Left · 2Debate is to continue on Oct. 28, followed by five days of online voting; passage needs a simple majority of the senate. ABC News says about 150 faculty have signalled support and a dozen senators co-sponsored the measure, while The Independent says the senate has roughly 130 voting members. 1 2 Left · 2Sponsors say the problem is systemic. Senator Iris Packman said the Jane Doe case is "not nearly the only case like this", and lead sponsor Prof. Paul Ortiz called it "the tip of the iceberg". Co-sponsor Ariana Kim called Kotlikoff's lack of follow-up "appalling" and described her own experience of harassment and a tenure fight. Co-sponsor Anne Marie Brady welcomed the state police role but called its timing, just before the debate, "a bit disingenuous". 1 2

Left · 1Faculty opinion is not uniform: The Independent reports some have called for Kotlikoff's resignation while others urge patience as independent investigations proceed. 2 Left · 1Packman also objected to an "expressive activity statement" the dean of faculty was to read at the start, saying it could chill faculty speech, particularly for senators without tenure. ABC says the meeting was closed to photography and recording and limited to people with Cornell ID, with a recording to be released later in the week. 1