Cornell Faculty Senate Passes No-Confidence Vote Over Assault Handling
Cornell University's Faculty Senate approved a no-confidence resolution Friday in the school's central administration. The resolution concerns how leaders have handled sexual assault on campus.
- 75 senators voted yes, 50 voted no, and five abstained.
- Faculty voted electronically from Oct. 29 through Nov. 6.
- 18 faculty senators and 165 faculty members backed the measure.
- The resolution did not call for Kotlikoff to resign.
Why it matters: The Faculty Senate cannot remove administrators; only the Board of Trustees can. Supporters said they hoped the vote would push trustees to act.
- Trustees chair Anne Meinig Smalling said the board remains confident in Kotlikoff's leadership.
- Some students and faculty groups have called for Kotlikoff's resignation.
How 25 sources split on this story
Where they split: Faculty disagreed over whether to judge the administration now or wait for the Yates review's findings.
Center coverage, 11 sources: The center frames the vote as a symbolic blow to an embattled president under mounting criticism.
Left coverage, 9 sources: The left frames the vote as a rebuke of leadership tied to the alleged fraternity gang rape and institutional failures.
What’s next: Sally Yates is reviewing Cornell's 2024 response and its procedures for similar reports. Senators rejected a motion to delay the vote until her review is done.
- Five accused men are asking a judge to replace James as special prosecutor.
- James named former federal prosecutor Jacqueline Kelly to lead the criminal case.
- What will the Yates review conclude about Cornell's handling of the 2024 report?
- Will Cornell restrict or end fraternity life, as Kotlikoff said was possible?
- Will a judge remove James from the criminal investigation?
