Cornell's Faculty Senate votes "no confidence" in administration

Cornell University's Faculty Senate approved a resolution expressing no confidence in the university's administration, including Cornell President Michael Kotlikoff and other administrators. 

Members of the faculty told CBS News New York the resolution questions whether Cornell's administration can effectively address the ongoing crisis of sexual assault on campus.   

The vote, which passed 75-50, is largely symbolic and does not require university leadership to step down. Five faculty senators abstained and five others did not vote. 

The vote follows weeks of outrage over Cornell's handling of sexual assault allegations, including Jane Doe's 2024 alleged gang rape case. 

"This vote is a reckoning for our University. It is a call for real, systemic change; not a slow-moving taskforce, weakly enforced ban on fraternity parties, or expensive PR damage control, but meaningful, evidence-based steps to reduce the incidence of sexual assault on campus and provide significant support to and justice for survivors," sponsors of the measure said in a statement. 

"Despite the administration's repeated attempts to silence us, the faculty have come together to express our discontent and to demand that Cornell do better. We are speaking up for our students, colleagues, staff and alumni who have called on us to hold the administration accountable. From addressing the root causes of rape culture on campus to calling out the ways Title IX has been weaponized against survivors, we will use our collective voice to bring about real change," the sponsors' statement continued. 

"We're looking at next steps for concrete change: addressing hazing and fraternity culture; demanding transparency from the administration, including seeing the full Yates report; reforming the Title IX process and sanctions to hold perpetrators accountable; working with outside law enforcement agencies for independent, trauma-informed investigations; and improving support for survivors.

"Now we begin the process of rebuilding our beloved university into what we all know and believe it can be: a place of learning and growth; curiosity and discovery; and safety and belonging."

Last week, faculty senators voted 76 to 48 against delaying the vote until after an independent investigation led by former U.S. Deputy Attorney General Sally Yates.