# Faculty Rebukes Cornell Leaders; Trustees Still Back President

- URL: https://twotakes.us/stories/faculty-rebukes-cornell-leaders-trustees-still-back-president
- Published: 2026-11-07T02:07:59.887035+00:00
- Topics: higher-education, sexual-assault, campus-safety, cornell-university, university-governance

## What the left says
- The 75-50 vote reflects deep faculty concern that campus leadership has failed survivors of sexual assault, not just in this case but as part of a broader pattern.
- Jane Doe's allegation that President Kotlikoff questioned her delay in reporting echoes a long history of institutions casting doubt on survivors instead of supporting them.
- A symbolic vote still matters because it publicly documents that a majority of faculty believe the administration's response has been inadequate, adding pressure for substantive reform.
- Students and alumni calling for change see this as part of a larger reckoning with how universities handle fraternity culture and sexual violence on campus.

## What the right says
- None of the seven accused individuals have been charged with a crime, and all have denied wrongdoing, underscoring the importance of due process before conclusions are drawn.
- The Board of Trustees, which holds actual authority over leadership decisions, has reviewed the situation and expressed continued confidence in President Kotlikoff's ability to lead.
- The administration has already taken concrete steps, including adding staff to the Office of Civil Rights, expanding prevention education, and hiring more victim advocates, showing responsiveness rather than inaction.
- A faculty resolution that offers no specific findings of wrongdoing or recommendations risks being a symbolic gesture driven by public pressure rather than a substantive critique of policy failures.

## Common ground
- Sexual assault on campus is a serious problem that both faculty and trustees agree needs to be addressed.
- The faculty senate vote has no formal power to remove university leadership, a fact acknowledged by all parties.
- The case involves a pending lawsuit, and none of the accused have been criminally charged.
- University leaders and faculty both express a desire to improve the campus environment for students going forward.

## Sources
- [BBC News](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c933xxl8yv0go?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss) (Center)
- [NBC News](https://www.nbcnews.com/news/education/cornell-faculty-senate-issues-no-confidence-vote-administrations-handl-rcna607286) (Lean Left)
- [New York Times](https://www.nytimes.com/2026/11/06/nyregion/cornell-no-confidence-vote.html) (Lean Left)
- [The Hill](https://thehill.com/homenews/education/6205152-cornell-faculty-senate-no-confidence-vote-jane-doe-new-york/) (Center)

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