Date: October 6, 2026
Source: CNN
Topic: Cornell University / Sexual Assault Investigation / Faculty No-Confidence Vote
Faculty members at Cornell University are preparing for a no-confidence vote against the university administration over its handling of a 2024 alleged sexual assault case that has sparked protests, renewed scrutiny and calls for major reforms.
Members of the Cornell University Faculty Senate submitted a resolution Monday evening calling for a formal vote on whether faculty have lost confidence in the university administration. According to faculty senator Paul Ortiz, the resolution is expected to be considered by a committee before being placed on the agenda for the full Faculty Senate’s meeting on October 14.
Growing Pressure on Cornell Leadership
The proposed vote comes as anger continues to grow among students, faculty and alumni over Cornell’s handling of allegations involving a former student identified publicly as Jane Doe.
The lawsuit filed by Doe alleges that she was drugged and sexually assaulted by several men at the Chi Phi fraternity house in October 2024. The allegations have not resulted in criminal charges against the men named in the lawsuit, and those accused have denied wrongdoing.
Ortiz told CNN that roughly 40 faculty senators had expressed support for the resolution, while students, alumni and staff have approached faculty members demanding action. Cornell’s Faculty Senate has more than 75 voting members.
Protests Spread Across Campus
The faculty action follows a large campus demonstration Monday in which students and community members called for greater accountability and changes to Cornell’s policies on sexual assault.
Protesters demanded stronger disciplinary measures, reforms to the university’s sexual assault procedures and greater transparency. Some demonstrators also called for the resignation of Cornell President Michael Kotlikoff.
The protests came amid growing scrutiny of how the original investigation was conducted and whether important evidence was adequately preserved and reviewed.
Questions About the Original Investigation
CNN reported that Cornell police drafted letters to Verizon and T-Mobile requesting that potentially relevant phone data, including calls, texts, photos and videos, be preserved.
It remains unclear whether those requests were actually sent, whether subpoenas followed, or whether the local district attorney’s office knew about them at the time.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul has since appointed state Attorney General Letitia James as special prosecutor to take over the criminal investigation. James has authority to investigate the allegations and, if warranted, pursue criminal charges or present evidence to a grand jury.
Cornell Promises Independent Review
Cornell President Michael Kotlikoff recently addressed the controversy publicly, calling the allegations deeply disturbing and acknowledging that the university’s handling of the case has created distrust.
Kotlikoff said Cornell supports an independent review by an outside law firm into how the university handled the 2024 case. He also expressed support for the state-level criminal investigation led by James.
Investigation Remains Ongoing
The renewed investigation could bring additional evidence and testimony to light. Doe’s attorney has said his team has recordings, communications and other material that he believes should receive further review. He has also raised concerns that some photos or videos connected to the alleged incident may no longer exist. Those claims have not been independently established.
For Cornell, the upcoming Faculty Senate vote could become another major test of confidence in the administration as university officials face pressure from students, faculty, alumni and state authorities.
The October 14 Faculty Senate meeting is expected to be an important next step in determining whether Cornell faculty formally declare that they have lost confidence in the university administration.
Source: CNN
Original CNN Article: Read the original CNN report
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Date: October 6, 2026
Source: CNN
Topic: Cornell University / Sexual Assault Investigation / Faculty No-Confidence Vote
