Faculty senate debates no-confidence vote

Cornell University's faculty senate will begin deliberating a no-confidence resolution on Wednesday to condemn the school's response to sexual violence on campus.

One month after gang rape allegations

The resolution comes one month after allegations of a gang rape at a campus fraternity shook the Ivy League school, potentially marking the clearest repudiation of Cornell's leadership since the controversy began.

Faculty say it's a systemic problem

Iris Packman, a faculty senator, told ABC News: We're saying we have no confidence in how the administration has handled this. It is a crisis. It's a long-term systemic problem.

“We're saying we have no confidence in how the administration has handled this. It is a crisis. It's a long-term systemic problem.”

What the resolution says

The one-sentence resolution reads: The Faculty Senate has no confidence in the ability of the central administration to effectively address the ongoing crisis of sexual assault at Cornell University.

“The Faculty Senate has no confidence in the ability of the central administration to effectively address the ongoing crisis of sexual assault at Cornell University.”

Approximately one hundred fifty faculty support it

According to Iris Packman, approximately one hundred fifty faculty members have signaled their support for the resolution, which was co-sponsored by a dozen members of the faculty senate.

Jane Doe case is tip of the iceberg

Professor Paul Ortiz, the lead sponsor, told ABC News via email: Scores of students, staff, faculty and alumni have approached the sponsors to emphasize that the Jane Doe case is but the tip of the…

“The Jane Doe case is but the tip of the iceberg.”

No specific demands for resignations

The resolution does not call for specific action such as demanding resignations or forcing policy changes, instead offering a broad condemnation of the school's response to sexual assault.

Wednesday's meeting agenda

Cornell President Michael Kotlikoff and Provost Kavita Bala are scheduled to deliver remarks and answer questions before members of the Sexual Assault Task Force address the group.

Concerns about expressive activity statement

Cornell's dean of faculty will read an expressive activity statement before debate begins. Iris Packman argued this may have a chilling effect on faculty speech by discouraging speakers without tenure protections.

Voting scheduled for late October

Deliberations will take place on Wednesday and October twenty-eighth. Voting on the resolution is scheduled to take place after the October twenty-eighth meeting and last for five days, conducted online.

Cornell announces new safety measures

President Kotlikoff announced measures to strengthen campus safety and support survivors, including suspending all fraternity social events while the school reviews fraternity life, and adding staff to the Office of Civil Rights.