Cornell faces protests and faculty challenge over handling of alleged 2024 gang rape

Washington, United States. Cornell University’s administration and President Michael Kotlikoff face mounting pressure over the university’s handling of an alleged gang rape in 2024. The case has drawn national attention and sparked outrage over sexual violence on college campuses.

Students seek resignations and an external inquiry

Since Monday, the administration has faced student protests, a faculty no-confidence resolution and alumni criticism. A seven-hour sit-in in support of the alleged victim is planned for Wednesday.

Some demonstrators have called for Kotlikoff and members of his administration to resign, blaming their policies for what protesters describe as a “culture of rape” on campus.

Demonstrators are also seeking an external inquiry into the administration’s handling of the matter, independent hearings and uniform minimum sanctions for all sexual assaults on campus. They want better training for campus police in responding to complaints of sexual violence and harassment.

Representatives for Kotlikoff and Cornell did not immediately respond to a request for comment. In a video statement released over the weekend, Kotlikoff said “we must do better” and that the university would take “a serious look at the role of fraternities and sororities in campus life.”

Faculty resolution to be debated in October

The Cornell Faculty Senate, which represents faculty members in university governance, introduced a resolution this week calling for a no-confidence vote in the administration’s handling of the university’s “ongoing crisis of sexual assault.”

The resolution will be debated at the Senate’s October 14 meeting.

Alumnus withdraws planned bequest

In an open letter to Kotlikoff and the university’s Board of Trustees, posted on the Cornell Daily Sun website, alumnus Marco Fuentes accused the president and trustees of having “single-handedly degraded” Cornell’s reputation.

He wrote that their “administrative negligence and spineless handling” of the alleged assault had “eroded the value of the degrees earned by tens of thousands of proud alumni.”

Fuentes said he would no longer bequeath half his estate to Cornell and was contacting alumni and donor networks to advocate for a freeze on donations until leadership changes occur.

Lawsuit prompted the outcry

The outcry began last month with a lawsuit filed by the alleged victim, identified as “Jane Doe.” She alleged that she was plied with drugs and alcohol and, after becoming incapacitated, was sexually assaulted by several members of the campus chapter of the Chi Phi fraternity in October 2024.