Cornell president faces faculty questions over response to alleged sexual assault

Cornell University President Michael Kotlikoff faced sharp questions at a heated faculty senate meeting Wednesday about the school's response to an alleged 2024 gang rape of a student at a fraternity house, an audio recording of the meeting shows.

The meeting was the first of two at which the faculty senate will consider a no-confidence resolution condemning the school's response to sexual violence on campus. A vote is expected at the end of the month.

Kotlikoff defended recent measures, including suspending fraternity parties and involving state police in investigating sexual assaults on campus. Faculty members repeatedly challenged the university's response.

Explaining the recent suspension of fraternity parties, Kotlikoff said the step was necessary to counter what he described as the Greek system's monopoly over students' social activity.

Kotlikoff said much of that social activity takes place in private houses, where the university cannot be fully confident that what happens is safe.

All seven fraternity brothers named in the civil lawsuit have denied wrongdoing. No criminal charges have been filed in the case.