Education · Ithaca, NY
Cornell President Admits No Follow-Up on Sexual Assault Case Ahead of Oct. 28 No-Confidence Vote
Cornell University President Michael Kotlikoff acknowledged in a New York Times interview that he never followed up on a student's October 2024 gang rape allegation at the Chi Phi fraternity house, learning only recently that she had dropped out and that accused students had been expelled or suspended. The admission came one day before the Cornell Faculty Senate began debating a no-confidence resolution over the administration's handling of sexual assault reports, with voting expected Oct. 28 among approximately 130 members. Tompkins County District Attorney Matthew Van Houten initially declined to pursue charges but reopened the investigation after a lawsuit was filed; Gov. Kathy Hochul subsequently removed him from the case and appointed Attorney General Letitia James as special prosecutor. Kotlikoff announced a ban on fraternity parties through the end of the academic year and plans to involve state police in sexual assault investigations.