The leaders of Cornell University, already embattled over the school\u2019s handling of sexual assault allegations on campus, received another blow late Monday when the school\u2019s faculty senate gave notice of plans to vote on a rare resolution of no confidence in the school\u2019s administrators.<\/p>\n
Although largely symbolic, the measure and its apparent support among faculty members promised to increase pressure on the university\u2019s president, Michael Kotlikoff, and other leaders as they face condemnation over Cornell\u2019s handling of a reported sexual assault on campus in 2024.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe faculty senate has no confidence in the ability of the central administration to effectively address the ongoing crisis of sexual assault at Cornell University,\u201d a draft of the resolution read as of Monday night.<\/p>\n
A university spokeswoman did not respond to requests for comment.<\/p>\n
The measure comes as Cornell has grappled with its response to a lawsuit filed by a former student<\/a>, identified as Jane Doe, who accused seven members of the Chi Phi fraternity of sexual assault at a house party in October 2024.<\/p>\n Less than 24 hours after faculty senators began sharing their plans for the vote, a panel of 11 university officials held a virtual webinar-like meeting with professors and staff members, reading prepared remarks and taking vetted questions.<\/p>\n Mr. Kotlikoff called what happened a \u201chorrific\u201d assault several times and said that he wanted Cornell to \u201cbecome a model for what it looks like to change culture,\u201d according to a recording obtained by The New York Times. <\/p>\n In interviews with four faculty and staff members who attended the meeting, though, all said they were frustrated by parts of the response \u2014 and the rigid format of what was promoted as a \u201ctown hall.\u201d<\/p>\n