Cornell faculty senate passes vote of no confidence in university leadership

The Cornell University faculty senate passed a symbolic vote of no confidence on Friday regarding central administration and its handling of an alleged fraternity gang rape. UPI reported that the resolution expressed no confidence in central administration to effectively address sexual assault at the university. Firstpost, The EDU Ledger, Town & Country Magazine, and WENY News also reported that the faculty senate passed the no confidence vote against university leadership. [1][2][3][5][6]

The vote stems from claims made by a woman, who was 20 years old at the time, alleging that seven men forced her to take drugs and assaulted her in 2024. UPI reported that the symbolic vote adds pressure on the university administration as it continues to investigate the claims regarding the fraternity party. [1]

As FTMQ News reported earlier, Cornell University President Michael Kotlikoff addressed the faculty senate in October to defend his leadership and acknowledged missteps regarding the 2024 Chi Phi fraternity gang rape report. New York Attorney General Letitia James later appointed former federal prosecutor Jacqueline Kelly to lead the investigation into the allegations. [9][10]

Cornell University is a private Ivy League research university located in Ithaca, New York. The university was co-founded in 1865 by Ezra Cornell and Andrew Dickson White as a co-educational, nonsectarian institution. Cornell maintains eight undergraduate colleges alongside graduate schools in locations such as New York City, Rome, and Doha. [7][8]