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- calendar_today November 6, 2026
Faculty Senate Expresses No Confidence in Administration
On Friday, the Cornell University faculty senate voted no confidence in the administration’s response to an alleged sexual assault at the Chi Phi fraternity house in October 2024. The decision follows criticism and calls for reform in the aftermath of a lawsuit brought by a former student, known as Jane Doe, who alleged that she was sexually assaulted and forced to take drugs while at the fraternity house from October 19 to 20, 2024.
Details Behind the Vote
The resolution, which passed by a margin of 75-50 with five abstentions and five members not voting, declares that 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." The resolution does not recommend any specific removals of administrative personnel or suggest direct steps for managing the controversy.
Administration and Board of Trustees Respond
Despite the no confidence vote, the Cornell University board of trustees indicated that no immediate changes in university leadership were anticipated. Board chair Anne Meinig Smalling stated, "The Board of Trustees remains confident that President Kotlikoff and his administration are the right leaders to thoughtfully and comprehensively address the serious problem of sexual assault on our campus." Smalling cited recent actions by university leadership, including hiring additional staff for the Office of Civil Rights, expanding prevention education, and increasing victim advocacy resources.
Allegations, Lawsuit, and Disciplinary Actions
Jane Doe’s lawsuit, filed in September, accuses seven members of the Chi Phi fraternity of participating in the alleged assault, which began as a consensual encounter but led to unwanted sex and forced ketamine consumption. All accused fraternity members deny the allegations. Two were expelled following an internal university proceeding, while others received lesser disciplinary actions. Tompkins County District Attorney Matthew Van Houten declined to pursue criminal charges in November 2024, citing a statement from Jane Doe.
External Investigations and Legal Proceedings
New York Attorney General Letitia James was appointed last month by Governor Kathy Hochul to investigate the case and consider potential criminal charges. Meanwhile, several defendants have taken legal steps aimed at disqualifying James, citing prior statements she made on social media. On Wednesday, James named former federal prosecutor Jacqueline Kelly to lead the independent investigation into the allegations. Legal proceedings, including an Article 78 case in Sullivan County and a motion in Tompkins County Supreme Court, are underway as defendants challenge James’s involvement in any grand jury proceedings.
Campus Response and Future Steps
The controversy has spurred demonstrations and debates on campus. Faculty senators who sponsored the resolution called the decision "a reckoning" for the university and advocated for "meaningful, evidence-based steps to reduce the incidence of sexual assault on campus and provide significant support to and justice for survivors." Jane Doe’s attorney, Thomas Giuffra, described the outcome as a step toward better addressing longstanding issues of sexual assault at the institution.
President Michael Kotlikoff addressed the incident in October, expressing a commitment to reassess Greek life at Cornell and bolster support for students reporting sexual assault. Additional resources are being provided to aid victims navigating university processes. The senate opted not to postpone the no confidence vote until the completion of an ongoing external review by former acting attorney general Sally Yates, which is expected to examine the university's handling of the matter.
Related coverage
Source: nbcnews.com.
