Cornell Faculty Senate votes to strip president of confidence
The vote, which passed by a slim margin, follows a lawsuit filed by a former student over a 2024 assault.
By Luis Medina ·
Cornell University faculty members voted on Friday to express no confidence in President Michael Kotlikoff and the university’s central administration. The resolution targets the school’s handling of alleged sexual assaults on campus. It serves as a formal rebuke from the faculty body that advises the university.
The vote comes nearly two months after a former student, identified as Jane Doe, filed a lawsuit against Cornell and the Chi Phi fraternity. She alleges the university failed to protect her and adequately punish students after a 2024 assault at a fraternity house party. The case has triggered protests and renewed scrutiny of the institution's policies on sexual violence.
The Faculty Senate, a legislative advisory body with more than 75 members, approved the measure with 55.6% of the vote. Thirty-seven percent voted against it. Ten members abstained or did not cast a ballot. A simple majority of 51% was required to pass the resolution. The narrow margin reflects weeks of contentious debate within the group.
Faculty sponsors stated they wanted to use their collective voice to demand real change. They said the administration had repeatedly attempted to silence them. The group claimed they were speaking for students, colleagues, staff, and alumni who sought accountability from the leadership.
Anne Meinig Smalling, chair of the Board of Trustees, said the board would continue to support Kotlikoff. She acknowledged the vote reflects deep anger across the campus. She maintained that the current leadership is best positioned to address the serious problem of sexual assault comprehensively.
The resolution does not automatically remove Kotlikoff from his position. The Faculty Senate lacks the authority to dismiss the president. However, supporters argue the vote sends a strong signal to the Board of Trustees. That board has the power to oversee the president and manage the school’s $13.6 billion endowment.
Paul Ortiz, a labor history professor, introduced the measure in September. He said he drafted it after hundreds of students asked faculty to take a stand. The vote follows a rejection of a motion to delay the decision until an independent review is complete. That review is led by former US Deputy Attorney General Sally Yates.
Thomas Giuffra, the attorney representing Jane Doe, said the Faculty Senate did not reach the decision lightly. He expressed hope that the vote would help educate and support the Cornell community. New York Attorney General Letitia James is currently overseeing a separate criminal investigation into the 2024 case.
