Cornell faculty inches close to ‘no-confidence’ vote that could see university leadership ousted
Por Jasmine Fernández — – World RSS Feed
Cornell faculty inches close to ‘no-confidence’ vote that could see university leadership ousted
Though a no-confidence vote carries no power to remove officials, faculty members say the measure delivers a necessary rejection of the university’s top brass
Jasmine Fernández in Portland Tuesday 06 October 2026 19:53 BST
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Cornell University faculty members have signaled plans to vote on a rare no-confidence resolution concerning campus administrators, moving to formally challenge leadership over its handling of the sexual assault report controversy.
Late Monday, the faculty senate issued notice of the impending vote, drafting a resolution that reads: “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 move comes as President Michael Kotlikoff and other senior officials face intense scrutiny over a lawsuit filed by a former student, identified as Jane Doe. The legal filing alleges that seven members of the Chi Phi fraternity drugged and raped her over several hours at an October 19, 2024 house party.
Though the proposed measure cannot force administrators out of office, faculty members emphasized its political weight.
Government professor and faculty senate member Richard Bensel acknowledged that the resolution, if passed, would not cause any administrator to be removed from office, but said it remained potent due to the disapproval it conveyed, as reported by The New York Times.
open image in galleryAnother faculty senate member, associate music professor Ariana Kim, told the newspaper that the vote served as a clear repudiation, effectively signaling, “We don’t believe you’re fit to run this institution.”
Outrage over the university’s response intensified on Monday, as thousands of students and faculty gathered in the center of campus before marching to a main administrative building to demonstrate against Kotlikoff and central leadership.
In a video statement released Saturday, Kotlikoff called the situation a “defining moment in Cornell’s history” and expressed support for an independent investigation into the allegations.
The lawsuit surrounding the incident remains active.
open image in galleryThe Tompkins County district attorney reviewed a complaint in 2024 and chose not to press charges. All of the accused men have denied wrongdoing, and none face criminal charges to date.
However, Gov. Kathy Hochul designated State Attorney General Letitia James as special prosecutor last week to launch a fresh criminal investigation. Hochul issued an executive order stripping Tompkins County District Attorney Matthew Van Houten of the case, citing a loss of faith in the initial investigation by campus police and local prosecutors.
“Newly released information continues to raise serious questions,” Hochul said at the time, stating that the intervention would ensure the matter was handled “without conflict or bias.”
open image in galleryUnder the order, the attorney general’s office will direct the probe and present evidence to a grand jury if necessary.
Thomas Giuffra, an attorney for the alleged victim, welcomed the decision, telling “NewsNation” that he and his client had “zero confidence” in the local district attorney.
Van Houten, who had previously announced plans to reopen the case, defended his original decision not to press charges, stating that the woman’s initial account did not indicate she had been forcibly assaulted, drugged, or incapacitated beyond giving consent.
In response to mounting public pressure and student protests, Cornell retained former U.S. Deputy Attorney General Sally Yates as outside counsel to conduct an independent review of the university’s handling of the allegations.
The Independent has contacted Cornell University for comment.
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