Cornell Faculty to Begin No-Confidence Vote

Cornell faculty are beginning a vote on a largely symbolic no-confidence resolution over the university administration’s handling of a former student’s allegation that she was sexually assaulted by members of the Chi Phi fraternity in 2024. The woman, identified in court filings as Jane Doe, has sued seven fraternity members, who deny the allegations; local prosecutors declined to bring criminal charges. President Michael Kotlikoff acknowledged that he did not follow up on her complaint or review the police report, while defending his approach and citing university policy and an independent review. The vote reflects a broader dispute among faculty over leadership accountability and campus safety, and could add pressure on university leaders, though the Faculty Senate cannot compel changes.