Cornell University Backs President After Controversial Incident

Cornell University’s Board of Trustees has expressed its support for President Michael Kotlikoff following an incident where he was pursued by students to his vehicle after a debate on Israel and Palestine last month.

The board’s statement elaborated that the behaviors exhibited by individuals involved on April 30—particularly following President Kotlikoff from an evening event to the parking area and obstructing his exit—were not in line with the university’s policy concerning expressive activities or with its standards for respectful behavior, safety, and non-intimidation. This conclusion came after an investigation into the viral incident.

At the time, numerous students who claimed to have been hit by the president’s vehicle did not seek medical assistance and declined to provide statements to campus police despite efforts to obtain them.

The report stated, “CUPD has submitted the evidence gathered to the Tompkins County District Attorney’s Office, which has decided that no criminal charges against the individuals involved are warranted.” Furthermore, Kotlikoff opted not to press charges against the students, which would have been necessary for a lawsuit under the university’s Code of Conduct. Actions are being taken against the non-students involved.

On the Ithaca, New York campus, the same group has gained notoriety for verbally attacking Cornell staff both online and offline, with their approach towards Kotlikoff representing an escalation in their activities.

Students expressed anger following a discussion series facilitated by the Cornell Political Alliance, with participation from Cornell Progressives, Cornellians for Israel, and Students for Palestine Justice.

Surveillance footage revealed a small number of students surrounding Kotlikoff’s car as he left after the Israeli-Palestinian debate, with some claiming that two students were injured. Kotlikoff, who has held his position since March 2025, asserted that earlier events in the debate series were “lively and civil,” serving as a solid example of the “open dialogue we encourage in our academic environment.”

Initially, Kotlikoff contended that the enraged students were the instigators. The Cornell University Democratic Student Union later posted on Instagram footage of the incident, asserting, “As we attempted to discuss campus speech policy, he hit us with his car.” They labeled his reaction as an example of the administration’s crackdown on student expression.

Following a thorough investigation, which included consultation with independent legal counsel to uphold the integrity of the campus police department’s findings, the board concluded that Kotlikoff acted appropriately and reaffirmed their confidence in him.

The board stated, “President Kotlikoff has shown a steadfast commitment to the values and principles of Cornell University, and we are confident in his continued leadership as we strive to fulfill our shared mission of discovering, preserving, and sharing knowledge while educating the next generation of global citizens.”

Several law professors at Cornell praised the board’s decision. Professor William A. Jacobson remarked that the investigation results confirmed the video evidence, highlighting the reckless actions intended to corner and confront the president and the dubious claims of injury made by the activists.

He noted, “This incident reflects the growing unruliness within Cornell University’s anti-Israel activist community.”

Another law professor, Menachem Rosenzaft, expressed his satisfaction with the board’s conclusions and the strong message it carried. He added, “I believe this resolution reflects well on Cornell University, the board of directors, and the special committee that endorsed confidence in Mike Kotlikoff. I think he was entirely right in not pursuing any disciplinary actions against the students—doing so would have given them the martyrdom they sought, while instead, they can now fade into the obscurity they deserve.”

This event came more than a year after the Trump administration cut over $1 million in funding to prestigious universities following a federal investigation into alleged civil rights violations. The university reached an agreement in November to restore hundreds of millions in federal funds, which included paying over $30 million and investing another $30 million in agricultural efficiency programs that Cornell is known for.