In his annual State of the University address, Cornell President Michael I. Kotlikoff delivered a forceful message about the critical role of education in shaping the future — and the growing challenges facing institutions like Cornell.
Speaking Oct. 24 at Call Auditorium during the Trustee-Council Annual Meeting, Kotlikoff described this moment as “an enormously consequential time” for higher education. He called for renewed commitment to academic freedom, open dialogue, and impactful research.
“How can the university best prepare its students for the future they will inhabit?” Kotlikoff asked. His answer focused on Cornell’s legacy of access, diversity, and intellectual rigor. He noted the university enrolls more Pell Grant recipients and transfer students than any other Ivy League school.
“Our job is to educate capable citizens and leaders,” he said, “and that means fostering a culture where students think critically, listen respectfully, and speak freely.”
He also celebrated Cornell’s research enterprise, citing advances across medicine, engineering, agriculture, public policy, and environmental science. But he warned of new threats to the long-standing partnership between universities and the federal government.
Some researchers, he said, have seen payments halted or received stop-work orders — even though contracts remain in place. He linked this disruption to federal concerns over antisemitism on college campuses, sparked by pro-Palestinian activity in 2023.
“Accusations of discrimination should be adjudicated on the basis of facts,” Kotlikoff said. “This has not happened.”
Despite six months of talks with government officials, no resolution has been reached. Still, he reaffirmed the university’s values: non-discrimination, merit-based decisions, and independence from government influence on internal policy.
“We will not agree to allow the government to dictate our institution’s policies, or how to enforce them,” he said, drawing a standing ovation.
Kotlikoff closed with a call to action: urge lawmakers to protect university autonomy, support research, and defend higher education’s role in a functioning democracy.
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