Key facts
- Cornell faculty have submitted a resolution for a no-confidence vote in the university administration.
- The resolution concerns the administration's handling of an alleged 2024 sexual assault case.
- The Faculty Senate is scheduled to consider the resolution on October 14.
- Faculty sponsors stated the goal is to force systemic change in addressing sexual assault on campus.
- Students have reported feeling unsafe on campus for several years, according to faculty senator Paul Ortiz.
Faculty at Cornell University are preparing to vote on a resolution of no confidence in the university's administration, citing its response to an alleged 2024 sexual assault case. The resolution was submitted to the University Faculty Committee and is slated for consideration by the Faculty Senate on October 14.
According to faculty senator Paul Ortiz, the measure aims to "force systemic change" and address a "systemic problem" of sexual assault on campus, noting that students have expressed concerns about safety for years. The resolution states that the Faculty Senate has no confidence in the administration's ability to effectively address the ongoing crisis of sexual assault.
Faculty sponsors indicated that numerous colleagues and students have approached them demanding action, with students expressing fear for their personal safety. Alumni have also shared their own past traumatic experiences at the university. The resolution is seen as an escalation of pressure on the administration following national attention on the case, which involves a former student's lawsuit alleging sexual assault in October 2024.