Cornell's Faculty Senate votes "no confidence" in administration

Cornell University's Faculty Senate approved a resolution expressing no confidence in the university's administration, including Cornell President Michael Kotlikoff and other administrators. Members of the faculty told CBS News New York the resolution questioned whether Cornell's administration can effectively address the ongoing crisis of sexual assault on campus. The vote, which passed 75-50, is largely symbolic and does not require university leadership to step down. Five faculty senators abstained and five others did not vote. "We distanced ourselves from this leadership and said they don't speak for us. They are not the Cornell we know and love," resolution co-sponsor and faculty senator Iris Packman said. "Our vision for Cornell is one of zero tolerance for sexual assault." The vote follows weeks of outrage over Cornell's handling of sexual assault allegations, including Jane Doe's 2024 alleged gang rape case.

All seven men accused of wrongdoing in her lawsuit deny the allegations. "We created this resolution after hearing from scores of current students, alumni, staff and faculty that the Jane Doe case was the tip of an iceberg," resolution sponsor Paul Ortiz said. "This vote is a reckoning for our University. It is a call for real, systemic change; not a slow-moving taskforce, weakly enforced ban on fraternity parties, or expensive PR damage control, but meaningful, evidence-based steps to reduce the incidence