Cornell President Acknowledges Lack of Follow-Up on Gang Rape Allegation Ahead of No-Confidence Debate

Cornell University President Michael Kotlikoff acknowledged in a recent interview that he did not follow up on a reported gang rape allegation at a fraternity house in 2024. He stated that he was unaware of the woman's withdrawal from the university or whether any disciplinary actions had been taken against the accused students. This admission came just before a no-confidence resolution debate by the Cornell Faculty Senate. Kotlikoff had previously described the allegations as 'deeply disturbing' and noted that investigations were ongoing. In November 2024, he announced that a task force would examine the university's handling of sexual assault cases. The case gained national attention after the woman, identified as Jane Doe in court documents, filed a lawsuit claiming that seven fraternity members assaulted her and that Cornell mishandled her complaints. Following the lawsuit, Tompkins County District Attorney Matthew Van Houten reopened the investigation into the incident after initially declining to pursue charges. New York Governor Kathy Hochul appointed Attorney General Letitia James as a special prosecutor to oversee the case. In response to growing concerns about the university's handling of sexual assault reports, Kotlikoff announced a ban on fraternity parties through the end of the academic year and plans to involve state police in investigating such reports. Faculty members have expressed concerns about institutional barriers faced by those reporting sexual misconduct, with some calling for Kotlikoff's resignation. The Faculty Senate is expected to debate the no-confidence resolution, which requires a simple majority for passage, with approximately 130 voting members. Associate music professor Ariana Kim, a co-sponsor of the resolution, expressed her dismay at Kotlikoff's lack of follow-up, citing her own experiences with the university's handling of misconduct complaints. Another co-sponsor, Anne Marie Brady, questioned the independence of Cornell University Police in investigating serious allegations and welcomed the involvement of state police, though she noted the timing of the announcement was concerning.