Cornell University publishes video exonerating president in student car incident
Updated
Updated · The Jerusalem Post · May 7
Cornell University publishes video exonerating president in student car incident
10 articles · Updated · The Jerusalem Post · May 7
The footage, released Sunday after a Thursday debate on Israel's post-7 October response, shows President Michael Kotlikoff slowly reversing as activists surrounded his car.
Cornell said the video disproves claims he hit two students; one student appears pressed against the vehicle, while Students for a Democratic Cornell still alleges he ran over a foot and fled.
The confrontation followed demands for amnesty and reversal of protest suspensions, amid wider campus disputes since October 2023 over anti-Israel demonstrations, discipline and oversight of student conduct.
Is the Cornell incident another example of the 'Palestine exception' to free speech on American campuses?
Beyond conflicting videos, how will this clash reshape Cornell's reputation and future leadership?
When a university president is under investigation, can a campus-led inquiry ever deliver impartial justice?
Cornell’s April 30th Incident: Video Proof, Injury Claims, and Campus Division
Overview
On April 30, 2026, President Kotlikoff was surrounded by student protesters in the Day Hall parking lot while slowly maneuvering his vehicle. During this tense encounter, a protester was pressed against the car, and others banged on its windows. Protester Vallecillo claimed his foot was run over, leading to an EMS dispatch and reported ongoing pain, though video footage did not clearly confirm the injury. In early May, Cornell released surveillance footage that supported the president's cautious driving but left the injury claim unresolved. This prompted a formal investigation, with Kotlikoff recusing himself. The incident unfolded amid heightened campus tensions shaped by stricter protest rules and federal pressure, setting the stage for future policy reforms and security enhancements.