Faculty at Cornell University have passed a motion of no confidence in the school's leadership concerning its response to the Jane Doe gang rape scandal and the broader issue of sexual assault on campus. The vote by the faculty senate largely symbolic, reflects deep dissatisfaction among educators regarding the university's handling of such incidents.
The scandal involves allegations that a student was drugged and gang-raped by multiple individuals at the university's Chi Phi fraternity chapter house in October 2024. A lawsuit filed in September detailed the student's claims.
According to reporting, the university faced criticism for its response, with some alleged perpetrators reportedly receiving disciplinary actions such as suspensions, probations, and requirements to complete reflection papers, which many faculty deemed insufficient.
The resolution, passed by a vote of 75-50 with abstentions, 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." While it does not mandate the removal of leadership or prescribe specific actions, it could influence future decisions made by the board of trustees, which holds the authority to replace university president Michael Kotlikoff.
Faculty senator Risa Lieberwitz, a co-sponsor of the resolution, stated that the administration has failed to address sexual assault systemically during Kotlikoff's tenure. She expressed concern that the perceived ineffectiveness of the administration's response may deter students from reporting sexual assault incidents, fearing that such reports could be ineffective or even detrimental. The situation is developing, with further updates expected.