Comment attachment by Anonymous

The New ork Times October 14, 2026 Samuel Mayer Nelson Speaker of the Faculty Senate Cornell — Chris B. Schaffer Dean of Faculty Cornell — Re: Information Relevant to the Faculty Senate's Deliberations Dear Speaker Nelson and Dean Schaffer, I am writing to share information that I believe may be relevant to the Faculty Senate as it deliberates a vote of no confidence in the University's administration. I’m sharing a second-hand account with you. The then-President of the Cornell chapter of Tri Delta sorority had a conversation with President Kotlikoff shortly after my report of sexual assault to the University in November 2024. After the conversation she shared with me, with concern, that President Kotlikoff’s initial response was along the lines of, “Why did she wait so long to report it?” She interpreted his question as an expression of doubt in the veracity of my story. She said that other faculty or staff members were present during the conversation, although I do not know who they were. She indicated to me that at least one of them appeared distressed upon hearing the President’s question, as if she (the faculty or staff member) thought the President’s response was inappropriate. When the then-Tri Delta President relayed this conversation to me, I felt unsupported and disbelieved by President Kotlikoff. It diminished my confidence in the administration's ability to approach my experience with the understanding, sensitivity, and fairness I had hoped for and expected from what had been my dream school. I am sharing this account now because, to my knowledge, only a few individuals are aware of the conversation; I do not know if you or other members of the Faculty Senate are among them. My intention is not to prescribe how the Senate should interpret this account, but rather to provide information that its members may wish to consider or investigate further. I would not want to withhold something potentially pertinent, only for Senate members to later discover that information relevant to their deliberations had not been made available to them. It is important to me that the Faculty Senate be made aware of this letter so that its members can make an informed choice about how they wish to consider or act upon the information it contains. I respectfully request that you confirm receipt of this letter with my attorney, Mr. Tom Guiffra. Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely, Jane Doe Transmitted on my behalf by: Thomas P. Giuffra Rheingold, Giuffra, Ruffo, Plotkin & Hellman LLP (eH Whitney Seals, Esq. Cochrun & Seals, LLC