Jane Doe’s letter, forwarded to the Faculty Senate through her lawyer Thomas Giuffra, claims that President Michael Kotlikoff asked her why she did not report the alleged assault immediately after it happened on an October 2024 fraternity party. The letter, authenticated by the AP, describes Kotlikoff’s comment as “Why did she wait so long to report it?”—an exchange that the survivor says left her feeling unsupported and doubted.
Kotlikoff has not responded to inquiries about the letter, and a university spokesperson denied that the president’s question targeted the survivor. Dean of faculty Chris Schaffer, who was present, said Kotlikoff instead asked why bystanders had not used the anonymous tip line, noting that the incident was already circulating online. Schaffer informed faculty of the letter only after obtaining a corroborating account.
The letter has reignited a debate that began last week when faculty convened to consider a no‑confidence resolution over the administration’s handling of sexual‑assault complaints. Noah Tamarkin, a co‑sponsor of the resolution, said the letter “reinforces my belief that Cornell needs fundamental changes to rebuild trust.” The Faculty Senate is slated to resume discussion on Oct. 28, after which an electronic vote will decide whether to file the motion.
For many students, the fallout feels personal: one freshman, who asked to remain anonymous, said she no longer feels safe attending campus events because “the administration’s silence makes it feel like we’re invisible.” The incident underscores a broader crisis that faculty argue has eroded confidence in the university’s protective mechanisms.
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