Cornell president Criticized over sexual assault comment ahead of no-confidence vote

Former student says she felt unsupported after reporting assault; faculty senate to debate resolution

By LineZotpaper

Published20 October 2026

Updated20 October 2026

Read Time2 min

Sources2 outlets

The former Cornell University student who accused seven men of sexually assaulting her at a fraternity party in 2024 has written to the faculty senate, claiming President Michael Kotlikoff questioned why she delayed reporting the incident. The letter, obtained by the New York Times, comes as the faculty prepares to vote on a no-confidence resolution against the administration. Cornell officials deny the account, stating the president's question was directed at bystanders, not the victim.

A former Cornell University student, identified as Jane Doe in court documents, has written to the faculty senate alleging that President Michael Kotlikoff expressed doubt about her sexual assault report. In a two-page letter dated 14 October and published by the New York Times, Jane Doe said she was told that Kotlikoff asked, "Why did she wait so long to report it?" during a January 2025 meeting with her sorority leader. She stated that this comment made her feel "unsupported and disbelieved." The faculty senate is scheduled to meet on 28 October to debate a no-confidence resolution, followed by electronic voting.

Cornell University responded through a spokesperson, denying the account as "incorrect" and stating that Kotlikoff's question was directed at bystanders who failed to use the university's anonymous tip line despite social media activity about the incident. "He was not questioning Jane Doe's reporting," the spokesperson said.

The letter comes amid ongoing backlash over Cornell's handling of the 2024 allegations, which were detailed in a civil lawsuit filed by Jane Doe in September. The lawsuit accuses seven members of the Chi Phi fraternity of sexual assault. An internal investigation led to expulsions, suspensions, and other punishments for some of the men, all of whom have denied wrongdoing. Kotlikoff has acknowledged that he knew of the report in November 2024 but did not follow up until earlier this month.

Analysis

Why This Matters

The faculty no-confidence vote could undermine President Kotlikoff's leadership and highlight systemic issues in how universities address sexual assault.
Jane Doe's allegations have already led to a lawsuit and disciplinary actions, but the administration's response is now under scrutiny.
The outcome may affect victim support services at Cornell and prompt broader discussions about campus safety.

Background

The allegations surfaced in October 2024 when Jane Doe reported a sexual assault at a Chi Phi fraternity party. A civil lawsuit was filed in September 2025 against the university, the fraternity, and individuals. Cornell's investigation resulted in varied punishments for the accused, but no criminal charges have been filed. The faculty senate's no-confidence resolution stems from concerns over administrative handling of the case.

Key Perspectives

Jane Doe: Feels the president's reported comment reflects a lack of support and has shared this to inform faculty deliberations. Cornell Administration: Maintains Kotlikoff's question was misinterpreted and that he was inquiring about bystander inaction, not victim-blaming. Faculty Senate: Must balance the student's account with university defenses in deciding on the no-confidence vote.

What to Watch

The faculty senate's vote on 28 October and whether the no-confidence resolution passes.
Any further fallout from the civil lawsuit or potential criminal investigations.
How Cornell revises its sexual assault response policies in light of this scrutiny.

Sources

Woman who accused Cornell students of rape says president's response made her feel 'disbelieved' · Philadelphia Inquirer
Ex-student alleging sexual assault felt ‘unsupported’ by Cornell president · World news | The Guardian

Checked

10 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 7 supported.

Show each claim

SupportedThe headline says Cornell’s president was criticised over the comment ahead of a no-confidence vote.World news | The Guardian: “It comes as Cornell’s administration has faced backlash and criticism for its handling of the 2024 allegations”
SupportedThe summary says the former student felt unsupported and that the faculty senate would debate a resolution.World news | The Guardian: “When the then-Tri Delta President relayed this conversation to me, I felt unsupported and disbelieved by President Kotlikoff”
Partly supportedThe former student said Kotlikoff asked, “Why did she wait so long to report it?”World news | The Guardian: “Jane Doe said that she was told Kotlikoff’s “initial response was along the lines of, ‘Why did she wait so long to report it?’””
Partly supportedThe former student alleged that Kotlikoff questioned why she delayed reporting the incident.World news | The Guardian: “Jane Doe said that she was told Kotlikoff’s “initial response was along the lines of””
SupportedCornell officials denied the account and said Kotlikoff’s question was directed at bystanders, not Jane Doe.World news | The Guardian: ““The question ‘why did it take so long for the assault to be reported’ was directed at bystanders who did not use Cornell’s anonymous tip line, despite ongoing social media activity about the incident in October 2024,” the spokesperson said. “He was not questioning Jane Doe’s reporting.””
SupportedThe faculty senate was scheduled to meet on 28 October to debate a no-confidence resolution, followed by electronic voting.World news | The Guardian: “The faculty senate scheduled a 28 October meeting to debate the no-confidence resolution – “followed by electronic voting”, according to the group’s website.”
SupportedThe letter was dated 14 October and obtained and published by the New York Times.World news | The Guardian: “The letter addressed to the Cornell faculty senate was obtained and published by the New York Times on Tuesday”
SupportedThe lawsuit accuses seven Chi Phi fraternity members of sexually assaulting the former student at a party in 2024.World news | The Guardian: “In the lawsuit, Jane Doe accused seven members of the Chi Phi fraternity of sexually assaulting her at a party at their fraternity house on campus in October 2024.”
SupportedAll of the men named in the lawsuit have denied wrongdoing.World news | The Guardian: “All of the men named in the lawsuit have denied wrongdoing, and none have been criminally charged.”
Partly supportedKotlikoff knew about the report in November 2024 but did not follow up until earlier this month.World news | The Guardian: “Kotlikoff acknowledged that he knew a student had reported being sexually assaulted in November 2024 – but did not follow up with Jane Doe involved in the months afterward.”