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Cornell University faculty will meet Wednesday to conclude debate and begin voting on a proposed no-confidence resolution<\/a> in the university\u2019s administration following widespread frustration over its response to a woman who reported she was gang raped<\/a> at a campus fraternity house in 2024.<\/p>\n The meeting comes after an Oct. 14 Faculty Senate meeting at which angry faculty members confronted Cornell University President Michael Kotlikoff<\/a> about the university\u2019s handling of the allegations.<\/p>\n The meeting was closed to the media, but in an audio recording obtained by The Associated Press, Kotlikoff acknowledged some missteps, defended his leadership and asked for more time to implement reforms and push for cultural changes in student social life. He urged faculty to have confidence in his leadership, pointing to an independent investigation into the university\u2019s handling of the case<\/a> that he said could lead to meaningful reforms.<\/p>\n A woman identified in court documents by the pseudonym Jane Doe<\/a> filed a lawsuit last month alleging that seven Chi Phi fraternity members sexually assaulted or exploited her in October 2024 and that Cornell mishandled her complaints. All seven men have denied her allegations.<\/p>\n The criminal investigation by Cornell\u2019s police department stalled after the local district attorney declined to pursue charges. But in an interview with The New York Times, Kotlikoff said he never followed up to learn what had happened to the woman or the criminal investigation.<\/p>\n Asked by a faculty member whether he read the Cornell Police Department\u2019s report on the rape allegations, Kotlikoff acknowledged that he had not, but said that was because the police investigation was confidential and university policy is that top administrators shouldn\u2019t have a role in criminal investigations.<\/p>\n \u201cI really reject the idea that I had no interest in it or was not concerned about it,\u201d Kotlikoff said.<\/p>\n He insisted experienced leadership was necessary to confront problems. Replacing a president would harm Cornell\u2019s reputation, Kotlikoff said.<\/p>\n