Cornell Faculty Senate votes down delay in no-confidence push
A 76 to 48 vote keeps the timeline for challenging university leadership intact as an independent probe by former prosecutor Sally Yates continues.
By Amina Howard ·
Cornell University’s Faculty Senate voted 76 to 48 on Wednesday to reject a motion to postpone a planned vote of no confidence in the school’s administration. The decision clears the path for a formal challenge to the leadership structure without waiting for the conclusion of an ongoing independent investigation.
The rejected motion sought to push the vote until after former federal prosecutor Sally Yates completes her review. Yates was hired to lead an independent look into the university's handling of sexual assault allegations. By voting down the delay, the Senate maintained the current schedule for the confidence measure.
Access to the meeting was restricted. Journalists and cameras were barred from the room, but CBS News New York obtained entry through a source. The session marked the second debate on the resolution and the first time members cast a vote on the matter.
Faculty members spoke to the weight of the decision. One member opposing the delay said, “I highly support the vote of no confidence and feel that the motion on the floor today is simply an effort to fizzle what we have put forth.” Another member who supported the delay argued, “If we're going to declare no confidence in the administration, a vote where the power rides entirely on our credibility as a body, it needs to be more than just an expression of displeasure.”
That second speaker added, “It needs to be airtight to read as an indictment with clear points about what the administration did wrong.” The debate stems from a lawsuit filed by a former student. The suit claims she was assaulted by several men during a fraternity party in 2024.
President Michael Kotlikoff attended the previous meeting two weeks ago. He stated that Cornell should study whether fraternities can exist in a safe environment. He added that if the administration cannot be convinced of their safety, the school should decide to ban them. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul appointed a state body to investigate the case. Cornell has suspended parties for the rest of the academic year.
The university’s Title IX investigation found two men responsible for sexual assault, and both were expelled. All seven men named in the lawsuit have denied the allegations. Anonymous electronic voting begins Thursday and runs through Nov. 6. The vote is largely symbolic but could influence the school’s trustees to change leadership.
