Who’s to Blame When Cornell’s President Drives Into His Students?
The Ringer • • world
Key Points:
- Cornell University President Michael Kotlikoff backed his car into a group of students after a debate on Israel-Palestine, hitting one student and running over another’s foot; he then drove away without checking on them, sparking outrage.
- Video evidence contradicts Kotlikoff’s claims that students were harassing or banging on his car; footage shows his erratic driving and that students were largely peaceful, undermining his account.
- The Cornell Board of Trustees formed an investigative committee but ultimately supported Kotlikoff, blaming the students despite clear video proof and ignoring concerns about student safety and free speech.
- The incident highlights broader issues in American higher education governance, where university boards dominated by business executives prioritize financial interests over student and faculty voices, often suppressing dissent and free speech.
- Media coverage was largely inadequate or biased, prompting students to release their own video explaining the incident and criticizing the university’s pro-war financial ties and anti-protest policies.