Cornell president pressed by faculty over handling of fraternity rape allegations

ITHACA, N.Y. — Cornell University President Michael Kotlikoff faced angry members of the school’s faculty Wednesday at a meeting that underscored deep frustration over his administration’s handling of a woman’s report that she was gang raped at a fraternity house in 2024.

Kotlikoff acknowledged some missteps, but also defended his leadership as he took questions from the university’s Faculty Senate before it debated a no-confidence resolution in his administration.

The meeting was closed to the media, but in an audio recording obtained by The Associated Press, Kotlikoff asked for more time to implement reforms and push for cultural changes in student social life.

He insisted experienced leadership was necessary to confront problems “that are not simplistic, they’re not easy, they can’t be brushed aside with a wave of a hand.”

Replacing a president isn’t the right way to address the situation and would harm Cornell’s reputation, Kotlikoff said.

Kotlikoff also left open the possibility of sweeping restrictions on Greek life, saying Cornell needed to determine whether fraternities could operate safely. On Tuesday, Kotlikoff announced a ban on fraternity parties through the end of the academic year.

“If, at the end of the day, fraternities cannot exist in a safe environment…

Original source: https://www.nbcnews.com/business