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Cornell Faculty Senate Launches No-Confidence Vote Against President Kotlikoff

By Drooid · Oct 30, 2026 · How we work

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Summary

Cornell University faculty Senate launched a no-confidence vote against President Michael I. Kotlikoff over a 2024 gang-rape case.
Faculty rejected a motion to delay the vote, 48-76, on October 28.
Electronic voting runs Oct. 29–Nov. 6, non-binding but may pressure trustees.
Kotlikoff signed an agreement with New York State Police allowing survivors to select the investigative agency.
Former Deputy Attorney General Sally Q. Yates will lead an independent review of Cornell’s sexual-misconduct handling.

Summary

Gillio Lopes filed an Article 78 petition to disqualify Attorney General Letitia James as special prosecutor.
Judge James R. Farrell gave parties 30 minutes and set a Nov. 5 deadline to join.
Farrell questioned his authority to remove the governor-appointed prosecutor.
Governor Kathy Hochul signed the Oct. 1 executive order appointing James.
A Tompkins County motion seeks to block James from grand-jury proceedings, decision expected Nov. 13.

History

Anita Hill’s October 1991 testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee sparked a push against sexual harassment, prompting a 50 % rise in EEOC complaints and an ad signed by over 1,600 Black women. The backlash helped fuel the 1992 surge of women elected to Congress. Today, Cornell’s Senate votes on Michael I. Kotlikoff’s confidence and New York AG Letitia James faces an Article 78 suit, echoing Hill’s legacy.

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Anita Hill’s October 1991 testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee sparked a push against sexual harassment, prompting a 50 % rise in EEOC complaints and an ad signed by over 1,600 Black women. The backlash helped fuel the 1992 surge of women elected to Congress. Today, Cornell’s Senate votes on Michael I. Kotlikoff’s confidence and New York AG Letitia James faces an Article 78 suit, echoing Hill’s legacy.

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