Cornell President Cleared After Striking Student With Car

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A review of the April 30 incident in which Cornell University president Michael Kotlikoff bumped a student with his car following a campus event has determined that no one should be held criminally responsible, according to a statement from the Board of Trustees.

But the Ad Hoc Special Committee of the Board, which conducted the review, criticized the student protesters for the incident, writing that their actions, “which included following President Kotlikoff from an evening event into a parking lot and impeding his ability to leave, are inconsistent with university policies governing expressive activity and our standards for respectful conduct, safety, and the prohibition of intimidation.”

The statement noted that the student who reported being struck by Kotlikoff’s car “refused medical treatment from the EMS team and refused to provide sworn statements as to their account of the incident.”

Kotlikoff declined to pursue a complaint against the students, the committee wrote, effectively ending the matter. It did not comment on his role in the incident, instead citing his “integrity” as a leader and his “steadfast commitment to Cornell’s values and principles.”

The review was based on evidence collected by the Cornell University Police Department, including information gathered at the scene, video footage and a sworn statement from Kotlikoff. It was then presented to the county district attorney’s office, “which determined that no criminal charges were warranted against any individuals involved in this matter,” the board statement said. 

To ensure “a fair and thorough” review process, the committee noted that it had also hired independent legal counsel “to evaluate the independence and integrity of CUPD’s investigation into these events.”