Cornell president defends response to Jane Doe allegations in heated faculty meeting

What happened: Cornell President Michael Kotlikoff defended the university's response to 2024 sexual assault allegations at a heated faculty senate meeting. A no-confidence resolution vote is expected at the end of the month. Key numbers: Complaint filed November 2024, three weeks after the alleged incident. Why it matters: Faculty questioned whether the response was reactive rather than systemic, and raised safety and reputational concerns. Kotlikoff said fraternities should be studied and possibly removed if they cannot be safe.

Cornell President Michael Kotlikoff defended the university's response to 2024 sexual assault allegations at a heated faculty senate meeting. A no-confidence resolution vote is expected at the end of the month.

Faculty questioned whether the response was reactive rather than systemic, and raised safety and reputational concerns. Kotlikoff said fraternities should be studied and possibly removed if they cannot be safe.