This is simply for transparency of the communications that are occurring at the graduate level within the Union, where we are calling for Kotlikoff’s resignation as President. This event affects all bodies at Cornell, both past and present given that the President of the university is also the face of it, and a representation of Cornell. As a graduate work, I refuse to stand by violence (and lying or in this case gaslighting a student body through an email) of any form without due process.
See email:
Dear graduate workers,
Over the past few days, the Cornell community has learned a great deal about the encounter between President Kotlikoff and representatives from Students for a Democratic Cornell (SDC) last Thursday night. As narrated by journalists from the Cornell Sun: “President Michael Kotlikoff drove his car into a Cornell student and ran over the foot of a recent graduate following a Cornell Political Union debate on the Israel-Palestine conflictThursday evening.” This event has received nation-wide attention and media coverage, including an article in the New York Times.
President Kotlikoff has a long history of oppressing students and workers at Cornell. Since he became president, students and workers have been persecuted–even forced to self-deport–making our campus an unsafe space for everyone. He has not only repressed most forms of expressive activity denouncing the genocide of the Palestinian people, but has enabled far-right ideology’s flourishing at Cornell by signing a deal with the Trump administration.This kind of leadership endangers our most vulnerable workers. CGSU-UE has always been at the forefront of the fight to defend the students and workers who make our institution run, and we will not stay silent when confronted with Kotlikoff’s inhumane and dangerous actions. In light of these events and the erratic behavior displayed by the President of our institution, the CGSU-UE Local Executive Board, is calling for the immediate resignation of President Kotlikoff, and has made public the following statement:
“We have been horrified by recent video evidence showing President Michael Kotlikoff hitting two Cornell students with his car and fleeing the scene. Instead of having dialogue with students about one of the most pressing issues of our times—both on our campus and in the world at large—Kotlikoff escalated a situation to violence, putting the lives of multiple Cornell students at risk. This lapse in judgment—to intentionally back his car into a group of undergraduate students and drive away—is inexcusable.
Given this behavior, we are deeply concerned with Kotlikoff’s lack of capacity to handle the crises on our campus. Kotlikoff’s volatile reaction in response to students’ efforts to engage in peaceful dialogue demonstrates a concerning lack of leadership skills. Putting the lives of students at risk is disqualifying behavior for the leader of an Ivy League institution.
We, the CGSU-UE Local Executive Board, call for President Michael Kotlikoff’s immediate resignation.”
President Kotlikoff has displayed a concerning lack of judgment, putting the lives of Cornell students at risk. This behavior cannot be justified under any circumstances, and we call the Board of Trustees to take immediate action. Kotlikoff is not fit to be the president of an educational institution and he must resign.
In solidarity,
CGSU-UE Local Executive Board