Cornell trustees blamed a handful of students for an incident that unfolded last month when President Michael Kotlikoff’s black Cadillac brushed and then collided with a student during a post‑talk confrontation. Video evidence shows the SUV reversing toward the students, hitting Hudson Athas and scaring Aiden Vallecillo, who shouted his foot was run over in the scene outside the forum.

The trustees’ statement, released Friday, found the students’ actions inconsistent with campus expressive‑activity rules but declined to discipline them. They also avoided addressing Kotlikoff’s conduct, instead praising his leadership and commitment to university values. No criminal charges were filed by the Tompkins County district attorney in the state court system.

The incident echoes Cornell’s broader clash over the Israel‑Hamas war, during which the university suspended more than 80 students for alleged harassment or intimidation. Critics argue these actions stifle free‑speech, while the administration says they protect campus safety. The students involved have demanded a public meeting with Kotlikoff to debate free‑speech policies.

With no disciplinary or legal consequences for either side, the episode leaves Cornell’s reputation hanging. Stakeholders now face questions about campus governance, student rights, and the university’s handling of politically charged protests. The board’s silence on Kotlikoff’s role may erode trust among students and faculty.