Cornell University faculty votes no-confidence over gang rape investigation
Nov. 6 (UPI) -- Cornell University's faculty senate on Friday passed a vote of no confidence over the administration's handling of an alleged gang rape at a fraternity party.
While the vote is symbolic , it adds pressure on the administration as it investigates claims by a woman, who was 20 at the time, that she was forced to take drugs and was assaulted by seven men in 2024.
The faculty governing body said in the resolution it "has no confidence in the ability of the central administration to effectively address the ongoing crisis of sexual assault at Cornell University."
In a statement, faculty members said they've been approached by students who are "upset, fearful for their personal safety, and wanting our university to address the perennial problem of sexual assault on the campus."
No charges were filed despite the woman submitting a police report. Her lawyers filed a civil lawsuit in the case, drawing public scrutiny and renewing calls for criminal charges.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said police and prosecutors failed to protect the woman.
"She spoke to the police -- she sat for hours and told them exactly what happened to her," Hochul said. "And according to new reports, she could not have been clearer that she was 100% confident that she had been raped.
"Yet, shockingly, those words never made it into the account that the Cornell police sent to prosecutors."
On Friday, sponsors of the no-confidence vote said, "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," faculty members said in a statement obtained by CNN .
"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."
In response, the university's board of trustees said it would make no changes to Cornell's administration.
"The Board of Trustees remains confident that President Kotlikoff and his administration are the right leaders to thoughtfully and comprehensively address the serious problem of sexual assault on our campus," Chair Anne Meinig Smalling said in a statement obtained by NBC News .
