Story perspectives

Cornell Faculty Senate to Vote No-Confidence Oct. 28

By Drooid · Oct 15, 2026, 10:06 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Kotlikoff Faces No-Confidence

Cornell President Michael Kotlikoff admitted he never followed up on the 2024 gang-rape report.
About 80% of faculty said they lost confidence in Kotlikoff’s administration.
The Faculty Senate will vote electronically on a no-confidence resolution on Oct. 28.
Hundreds protested downtown Ithaca on Oct. 13, chanting for Jane Doe and demanding action.
Cornell logged 1,216 Title IX complaints (2018-2024), with only 4% resulting in responsibility findings.

Summary

Hochul Appoints James

Governor Kathy Hochul appointed Attorney General Letitia James as special prosecutor on October 2.
State officials removed Tompkins County District Attorney Matthew Van Houten from the investigation in early October.
Ithaca Common Council voted Wednesday night to stop issuing city permits to Cornell and its student groups.
President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social demanding Kathy Hochul remove Letitia James, calling her a “dirty and disgusting cop.”

History

Historical Context

Congress passed Title IX on June 23 1972, after Senator Birch Bayh and Rep. Edith Green added sex-discrimination language to the Education Amendments; President Nixon signed the law that barred sex bias in any federally funded school. With women then comprising 42 % of college students, the statute set a civil-rights baseline that today fuels Cornell’s 1,216 Title IX complaints and calls for stronger federal oversight.

1 of 3

Kotlikoff Faces No-Confidence

Cornell President Michael Kotlikoff admitted he never followed up on the 2024 gang-rape report.
About 80% of faculty said they lost confidence in Kotlikoff’s administration.
The Faculty Senate will vote electronically on a no-confidence resolution on Oct. 28.
Hundreds protested downtown Ithaca on Oct. 13, chanting for Jane Doe and demanding action.
Cornell logged 1,216 Title IX complaints (2018-2024), with only 4% resulting in responsibility findings.

1 / 3