Cornell University's Faculty Senate has approved a resolution declaring "no confidence" in the institution's leadership amid a crisis sparked by an alleged 2024 gang rape.

The resolution, which 55.6% of elected faculty senators who cast votes supported, ‌takes aim at Cornell's administration from its main legislative and advisory body, but has no concrete consequences.

The tally showed 37% voted against it and 7.4% abstained, Cornell University spokesperson Rebecca Valli said in an emailed statement.

It comes after a former student, identified by the pseudonym Jane Doe in court documents, alleged that Cornell failed to protect her from being raped.

"The Faculty Senate has no confidence in the ability of ​the central administration to effectively address the ongoing crisis of sexual assault at Cornell University," the resolution said.

The vote followed weeks of debate among professors over whether Cornell president Michael Kotlikoff and other administrators handled the woman's allegations adequately and have done enough to stamp out sexual misconduct at the university.

Board of Trustees chair Anne Smalling said in a statement that the faculty vote "reflects the deep anger across our campus" and sent a clear signal that what happened to the woman was unacceptable.

The no-confidence resolution did not call for Mr Kotlikoff's resignation, however.

Ms Smalling said that Mr Kotlikoff and his administration were the right leaders to "thoughtfully and comprehensively" address the issue.

Thomas Giuffra, an attorney for the woman who filed the lawsuit, said in a statement on Friday that "we are hopeful that this will be yet another step forward to educate and support the Cornell community by addressing the longstanding scourge of sexual assault on campus".

The Cornell community has been rocked by controversy since mid-September, when the former student making the allegations filed a lawsuit against the university and seven former members of the Chi Phi fraternity, saying she was given ketamine and raped at a fraternity house in October 2024.

All of the men have denied her allegations, saying the sex was consensual or maintaining that they weren't involved.

The local district attorney initially decided the woman had consented and that no crime had taken place, but the investigation has since been reopened and transferred to New York's attorney general.

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Following a months-long investigation, two of the accused students were expelled, two were handed suspensions and probation, and two were made to write "reflection" papers and complete bystander training.

A seventh man had already graduated and was banned from campus, according to records seen by The New York Times.

Mr Kotlikoff also convened a task force to study sexual misconduct on campus, which released recommendations.

Some faculty members have criticised Mr Kotlikoff for not doing enough to bolster the school's disciplinary process, push for criminal investigations and address campus party culture.

Speaking to Faculty Senate members on the first day that they debated the no-confidence resolution, Mr Kotlikoff vowed to make the university a leading force in addressing sexual assault and asked for more time to make changes.

He defended his leadership, arguing that replacing him would have little impact and could damage Cornell's reputation.

He also rejected suggestions he had been indifferent to the woman's case, though he admitted only recently learning she had left the university.

Cornell faculty senator Risa Lieberwitz, who co-sponsored the resolution, said the administration has failed to address the sexual assault issue in a ​systemic way during more ​than a decade of Mr Kotlikoff ⁠time in senior leadership.

Mr Kotlikoff, who has been Cornell president since March last year, said the day before voting ‌started on 29 ⁠October the university had taken measures including adding staff to its civil rights office, expanding sexual assault prevention education, and hiring staff focused on victim advocacy.

Cornell, located in Ithaca, New York, responded to the no-confidence resolution by saying that it had conducted a ​comprehensive investigation and imposed disciplinary measures, including expulsions.