Cornell University President Michael Kotlikoff has rejected resolutions passed by the school’s Student Assembly concerning the university’s ties to Israel. The decisions involve both a partnership with the Technion – Israel Institute of Technology and a campus event featuring Israeli politician Tzipi Livni.
Student Assembly Resolutions Rejected
One resolution, approved on March 12, called for Cornell to end its partnership with the Technion, citing “serious ethical concerns” and alleged “complicity in genocide.” A second resolution condemned the university for hosting Israeli politician Tzipi Livni. President Kotlikoff rejected both measures.
Academic Freedom at Issue
Kotlikoff framed his decision as a defense of academic freedom and institutional principles. He stated that the resolution calling for the termination of the partnership with the Technion “fundamentally conflicts with Cornell’s principles of academic collaboration and our core commitment to academic freedom.”
The President also noted that Cornell maintains 159 partnerships in 59 countries and regions, and that the resolution singled out the Technion. He added that ending the partnership would “hinder our research, teaching and public engagement” and “imperil our academic principles.”
Cornell Tech Partnership
The partnership with the Technion is central to Cornell Tech, an academic campus on Roosevelt Island. According to Kotlikoff, Cornell Tech is not a political entity but an academic partnership created through shared investment by Cornell University, the Technion, and the City of New York.
The Joan and Irwin Jacobs Technion-Cornell Institute, the core international partnership upon which Cornell Tech is based, focuses on education and research in health tech, media tech, and urban tech, and supports the development of new startup companies.
Frequently Asked Questions
What action did the Cornell President take?
The President rejected two resolutions passed by the Student Assembly.
What did the resolutions address?
One resolution called for ending the partnership with the Technion – Israel Institute of Technology, and the other condemned the university for hosting Israeli politician Tzipi Livni.
What reason did the President give for rejecting the resolutions?
The President stated that the resolutions conflicted with Cornell’s principles of academic collaboration and its commitment to academic freedom.
How might this decision influence future debates on campus regarding international partnerships and academic freedom?
