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Politics · October 20, 2026

Cornell’s Jane Doe Sent Letter to Faculty Senate Ahead of Vote

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A former Cornell University student, known as Jane Doe, sent a letter to the university's Faculty Senate alleging that President Michael Kotlikoff questioned the timing of her 2024 sexual assault report. The letter, sent as the Faculty Senate considers a vote of no confidence in the administration, claims Kotlikoff's purported remarks caused her to feel 'unsupported and disbelieved.' Cornell University has disputed the account, stating that Kotlikoff’s question was directed at bystanders who failed to use the school's anonymous tip line despite social media activity, rather than at the victim herself. The university has recently appointed former acting Attorney General Sally Yates to lead an independent review of its response to the allegations.

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Reported across the spectrum

  • Jane Doe sent a letter to the Cornell Faculty Senate detailing a second-hand account of a meeting between President Michael Kotlikoff and a sorority president.
  • Jane Doe alleged that Kotlikoff asked why she waited to report the assault, which she interpreted as an expression of doubt.
  • The university maintains that Kotlikoff’s question about reporting delays was aimed at bystanders, not Jane Doe.
  • The Faculty Senate is considering a vote of no confidence in the university administration.
  • Seven men were accused in a civil lawsuit of sexual assault at the Chi Phi fraternity house in 2024; all have denied wrongdoing and none have been criminally charged.
  • Cornell hired Sally Yates to conduct an independent review of its handling of the case.

Reported by only some outlets

  • The Faculty Senate meeting to debate the no-confidence resolution is scheduled for October 28.
  • One former fraternity president was dropped from the lawsuit after his attorney proved he was not in office at the time of the incident.
  • Cornell's internal Title IX process resulted in two expulsions and two suspensions.
  • Jane Doe’s letter was dated October 14, but some faculty expressed concern that it was not immediately shared with the Senate by the dean of faculty.

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