Cornell University President Michael Kotlikoff stated at a Faculty Senate meeting on Wednesday night that Greek life at the university should be permanently ended if leadership cannot be convinced that fraternity gatherings are safe. Kotlikoff told the faculty that while many leaders have advocated for the removal of Greek life, the university should make a final decision based on data and study rather than emotion.
The remarks follow the filing of a civil lawsuit by a student, identified as Jane Doe, who alleged she was drugged and sexually assaulted by multiple men at a fraternity house in 2024. While no criminal charges have been filed, attorneys for two of the accused have denied the allegations, and others have denied wrongdoing in various statements. In response to the incident, Cornell has suspended all fraternity parties through the end of the school year and commissioned an independent investigation led by former U.S. Deputy Attorney General Sally Yates.
During the meeting, which was attended by more than 300 people in person and via Zoom, Kotlikoff noted that fraternities have become the center of student social life as many bars in Collegetown closed following the COVID-19 pandemic. He stated the university lacks the ability to ensure safety in these private houses. However, some faculty members, including professor Risa Lieberwitz, criticized Kotlikoff for not taking sufficient accountability and questioned why it took time for him to address the lawsuit publicly.
For the faculty and administration, the immediate concern involves a pending resolution of no confidence against the central administration. The resolution, which requires a simple majority to pass, targets the administration's ability to address sexual assault crises on campus. While the resolution is symbolic and does not grant the Faculty Senate the power to terminate administrators, its passage would represent a formal declaration of dissatisfaction from a body representing hundreds of educators and researchers.
A final decision on the no-confidence resolution is scheduled for a vote following a subsequent meeting on Oct. 28. The outcome of the Yates investigation will likely set the precedent for how the university manages Greek life moving forward. If the university concludes that these environments cannot be made safe, it may lead to the permanent closure of all fraternity chapters on the Ithaca campus, potentially altering the school's social and housing infrastructure for future generations of students.
The Faculty Senate will convene again on Oct. 28 for further discussion before voting on the resolution. The independent investigation into the university's response to sexual misconduct is currently ongoing.