Cornell University: Faculty Senate Expresses No Confidence in Leadership

The management of Cornell University is coming under greater pressure after the abuse scandal. Members of the faculty of the elite university in the US state of New York have expressed their no confidence. The faculty has "no confidence in the ability of central administration to effectively address the ongoing sexual assault crisis at Cornell University," according to a resolution reported by multiple media outlets.

The Faculty Senate passed the resolution by a vote of 75 to 50, with five members abstaining. The resolution is not binding, but has a high symbolic significance. The vote followed weeks of debate about the extent to which university management had responded appropriately to the allegations. According to the Guardian, supporters of the resolution hope to put pressure on the board of trustees. However, they do not explicitly demand resignations.

After the publication of the resolution, the Board of Trustees, the university council made up of external and internal personalities, said that the Faculty Senate's resolution reflected the deep outrage on campus and sent a clear signal. Nevertheless, the university management around President Michael Kotlikoff is supported.

The abuse scandal involves allegations from a former student at the university. She reported that in October 2024, members of the Chi Phi fraternity forced her to take the anesthetic ketamine and that she was sexually abused and raped by seven men.

The case also drew attention because of shocking news that fraternity members shared in their Snapchat group. In a message, a student who is said to have previously raped the victim spread the word that there was “free pussy” in the building. Shortly afterwards, other fraternity members entered the room. The men deny the allegations. They either claim that the sex was consensual or that they were not involved at all.

The responsible public prosecutor's office decided at the time not to bring the suspects to court. The university banned the connection, but only expelled some of those involved. The victim accuses the university of not adequately protecting her. Critics also accuse the management of the renowned university of being too lenient with the suspects after the incident. The case led to demonstrations in several US cities last month.

After the alleged victim filed a civil lawsuit against the university in September, the district attorney's office reopened the investigation into the case. The university commissioned an independent investigation into its handling of the case. As one of several interim measures, the university president suspended celebrations by student associations on campus for the remainder of the academic year.