Cornell begins no confidence vote over handling of alleged gang rape
Summary
Cornell faculty began a non-binding no-confidence vote on university leadership over its handling of a lawsuit alleging a 2024 gang rape at a fraternity house. The vote is expected to run through November 6, amid calls for President Michael Kotlikoff to resign and scrutiny of the university’s response.Key Facts
- The lawsuit says a female student identified as Jane Doe was drugged and raped by seven male students at a fraternity house in 2024.
- Cornell initially shut down the fraternity and suspended the accused students; two were later expelled.
- Faculty began the no-confidence vote on Thursday after debating whether to delay it.
- Lead faculty sponsor Paul Ortiz said students, staff, faculty and alumni had raised concerns about the case and other possible incidents.
- Twenty female faculty members in science and engineering called on Kotlikoff to resign in a letter to university trustees.
- Kotlikoff apologized for the harm Jane Doe suffered and said he was appalled that the alleged assault occurred within the Cornell community.
- Two accused men have asked a court to remove New York Attorney General Letitia James from oversight of the renewed criminal probe, citing her earlier social media posts supporting the accuser.
- A judge appeared skeptical of one of the challenges to James’s role, according to the article.
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