Wire reporting: (AP, via PIX11)

Cornell University's Faculty Senate on Friday approved a resolution declaring no confidence in the central administration's ability to address what the text called an ongoing crisis of sexual assault, BBC and ABC News reported^5,17.

The measure passed 75 to 50, with five abstentions and five not voting, according to faculty sponsors and subsequent reports^5,8,17.

The senate cannot remove President Michael Kotlikoff or other officers; the vote is symbolic^5,8.

The resolution followed a lawsuit by a former student, identified as Jane Doe, who alleges she was drugged and raped at the Chi Phi fraternity house in October 2024^5,8,17.

BBC said all seven men named in coverage of the suit have denied wrongdoing and none has been charged with a crime⁵.

Cornell has said Doe's account of a conversation with Kotlikoff is incorrect; the university closed the fraternity chapter and later said it fell short in handling the case^5,8.

Board of trustees chair Anne Smalling said the vote reflected anger on campus and that what happened to Jane Doe was unacceptable, while stating the board still supports Kotlikoff^5,17.

Doe's lawyer, Thomas Giuffra, said the faculty did not reach the decision lightly^5,17.

New York's attorney general is reviewing whether criminal charges are warranted, and Gov. Kathy Hochul has said state police will handle future sexual-offense complaints at the university, BBC reported⁵.

What changes, if any, trustees will require of the administration remains unsettled^5,8.

Campus police first investigated the 2024 complaint and referred findings to the local prosecutor, who did not bring charges at the time; that decision later drew criticism, DW reported⁸.