Faculty members challenged the central administration by passing a formal resolution expressing a lack of faith in the university's sexual violence response. In reaction to the 2024 assault allegations, the institution shut down the involved fraternity, instituted a ban on fraternity parties through the rest of the academic year, and saw two students expelled. New York state prosecutors have also reopened a criminal investigation while an independent review is conducted. Despite the faculty's formal rebuke, the governing board continues to stand firmly behind the president.
Key points
The faculty resolution formally declares a lack of confidence in central administrators r…: The faculty resolution formally declares a lack of confidence in central administrators regarding their handling of sexual assault cases.
Cornell took disciplinary actions by expelling two students, closing the fraternity, and…: Cornell took disciplinary actions by expelling two students, closing the fraternity, and banning fraternity parties for the academic year.
The Board of Trustees publicly affirmed its continued support for university President La…: The Board of Trustees publicly affirmed its continued support for university President Laurence Kotlikoff despite the symbolic rebuke.
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NEW YORK: Faculty members at Cornell University on Friday (Nov 6) passed a no-confidence resolution against the elite college's leadership over its handling of an alleged gang rape that has sparked outcry in the United States.
The vote is not binding but marks a strong symbolic rebuke of administrators at the Ivy League college in New York state.
According to a lawsuit, a female student was assaulted by seven male students at a fraternity house on campus. Following her initial allegations in 2024, Cornell shut down the fraternity - a male social club - and temporarily suspended the accused students, two of whom were later expelled.
But critics say the college was too lenient, and protests in several US cities last month demanded accountability.
Friday's resolution states that the faculty "has no confidence in the ability of the central administration to effectively address the ongoing crisis of sexual assault at Cornell University."
It passed by a vote of 75-50, with five abstentions.
The alleged gang rape has piled scrutiny on Cornell, which has commissioned an independent probe into its handling…
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