The resolution comes after renewed attention to the case involving a woman identified in court documents as Jane Doe, who alleges that she was drugged and sexually assaulted by multiple men inside a fraternity house in Ithaca, New York, in October 2024.
The case has generated renewed scrutiny of how Cornell University and local authorities responded after the woman initially reported the alleged assault.
Professor Paul Ortiz, who is among the faculty members supporting the resolution, said hundreds of students, alumni and staff had approached faculty members asking them to take action.
The proposed no-confidence vote would not, by itself, remove Cornell's leadership. However, it would represent a significant expression of dissatisfaction with the administration and could increase pressure on university officials to address concerns surrounding the case.
The development follows a public demonstration in which students and community members gathered to protest the university's handling of the allegations. Demonstrators reportedly called for accountability and urged members of the university administration to resign.
The renewed protests come after Jane Doe filed a lawsuit alleging that she was drugged and gang raped at the Chi Phi fraternity house on October 19, 2024.
The lawsuit has raised questions about whether the university and local authorities responded appropriately when the allegation was first reported and whether the matter was investigated thoroughly at the time.
The case has also attracted wider attention to the way universities handle allegations of sexual assault, particularly when reports involve fraternities and university-affiliated social organisations.
Cornell has faced pressure to explain its response, while the legal case and any related investigation remain separate from the faculty's proposed no-confidence resolution.
A further demonstration, including a planned sit-in, has also been announced by groups supporting Jane Doe.
The allegations remain allegations and have not been established as criminal findings in court. The lawsuit and the university's response are expected to remain under scrutiny as the legal and institutional processes continue.
Hajara Musa Abdurrahman
A passionate reporter with an interest in covering stories that affect communities and society. She is committed to gathering accurate information, conducting interviews, and reporting news in a clear, balanced, and responsible manner.
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