Exclusive video shows Cornell University Faculty Senate meeting

Key points

• Cornell University President Michael Kotlikoff faced faculty questions Wednesday about the school's handling of sexual assault allegations.
• Faculty are considering a resolution of no confidence in the university's administration, with another meeting set for Oct. 28 and a vote about a week later.
• Former Deputy U.S. Attorney General Sally Yates will lead a comprehensive independent review of Cornell's handling of sexual misconduct claims, including a 2024 case in which a student reported being gang-raped at a fraternity house.

Cornell University President Michael Kotlikoff faced faculty questions Wednesday about the school's handling of sexual assault allegations, as the Faculty Senate considers a resolution of no confidence in the administration. The meeting was closed to reporters and the university said no cameras were allowed because it would inhibit debate, but CBS News New York investigative reporter Mahsa Saeidi obtained access through a source.

The scrutiny follows a 2024 case in which a student reported being gang-raped at a fraternity house. Earlier this month, the university announced that former Deputy U.S. Attorney General Sally Yates will lead what it calls a comprehensive independent review of its handling of sexual misconduct claims, including that case. On Tuesday, Kotlikoff also announced sweeping changes, saying Cornell will work with New York State Police on an arrangement to bring in independent experts to investigate sexual assault allegations.

What was debated

In the video, faculty debated whether they have confidence in the university's leadership to address sexual assaults. One speaker asked Kotlikoff to name all the kinds of assaults, sexual and otherwise, on men, women and children that outside investigators will examine, and how far back they will go.

Kotlikoff replied that the review is a board review and that he does not dictate it. He described it as an open review with a very broad mandate, adding that he does not know how far back it will go but that the university is open to anything investigators ask.

That is a board review. I don't dictate that review. It's an open review. It does have a very broad mandate.

— Michael Kotlikoff

Academic freedom exchange

Another exchange in the video involved academic freedom. A speaker said the administration has suppressed academic freedom and students' voices over the past few years. Kotlikoff asked what academic speech had been restricted, and the speaker said that since 2023 the administration has punished over 80 students for nonviolent speech.

Another meeting will take place on Oct. 28. After that, faculty members will have about one week to submit their vote on the no-confidence resolution. Some faculty told CBS News New York that the 2024 case is just the tip of the iceberg, saying other students and former students have shared their own experiences of sexual assault and have been too afraid to report them. All seven men accused in the 2024 case have denied the allegations.