Cornell's 'Jane Doe': I Felt 'Disbelieved' by School Prez

Cornell's president is facing a looming no-confidence vote—and now, a pointed letter from the woman whose lawsuit helped spark it. The former student, who has been going by "Jane Doe," told the school's faculty senate that she felt "unsupported" and "disbelieved" by President Michael Kotlikoff after learning of a comment he allegedly made about why she didn't report her assault sooner, per the New York Times. She says the remark shook her faith in an institution she once considered her "dream school."

Cornell disputes her account, saying Kotlikoff's question—why the report took so long—was aimed at bystanders who failed to use an anonymous tip line, not at Doe herself. Her Wednesday letter, authenticated by her lawyer, stops short of urging a particular outcome but is intended to inform senators as they weigh the symbolic rebuke set for debate on Oct. 28. Last week, Kotlikoff faced angry and frustrated Cornell faculty members, where he conceded there'd been some stumbles in how the case had been handled, but also insisted that he should stay on to ensure consistent leadership through this turmoil, per the AP.