Editor’s Note: This article contains references to death threats and antisemitic and homophobic language.
An email sent to several Sun departments under an account purporting to be President Michael Kotlikoff on Thursday afternoon included graphic death threats towards Jewish and LGBTQ+ Cornell students.
The message’s subject line read “all jews and LGBTQIA+ are dead this year” and was sent using an email name and address mimicking official communication from Kotlikoff. A University spokesperson confirmed that the message was not written or sent by Kotlikoff.
The Sun could not confirm if the same email was sent to other organizations or students.
The sender directly targeted Jewish students on campus and Cornell Hillel — a hub for Jewish student life on campus — describing the threats as “the consequences of investing in war instruments of genocide/death in Palestine” and “extorting the local population out of so-called ‘income taxes’ and ‘property taxes.’”
The email continued to make direct graphic death threats towards Jewish and LGBTQ+ students, repeatedly using a homophobic slur. The sender also wrote that Kotlikoff, Cornell students, staff, faculty, alumni, Cornell University Police Department and all police, are “targets.”
Associate Vice President for Public Safety David Honan, Chief Information Officer Ben Maddox and Chief Information Security Officer Bobby Edamala addressed the threats sent to The Sun in a University statement.
“This afternoon, some members of our community received a violent and threatening email from a ‘spoof,’ or fake, address purporting to be the University President,” the statement reads. “This false email, which emanated from an overseas account, targets Jewish and LGBTQIA+ communities with vile antisemitic and homophobic language. University leaders immediately reached out to offer support and resources.”
The administrators explained that the CUPD and Cornell’s Information Technology Security are investigating this “ugly and threatening email” and that the Federal Bureau of Investigation was immediately contacted.
Maya Weisberg ’26, president of Cornell Hillel, explained the actions the organization took in response to the threat in a statement to The Sun.
“When Hillel learned of the threatening and vile message we contacted CUPD to report the incident and make sure that all students on campus remained safe," Weisberg wrote. “While we are deeply disturbed by this hateful message, we are thankful to both CUPD and the university administration for working with us over these past few hours to ensure the safety of our campus.
Cornell Hillel released a statement on Instagram on Thursday evening, describing that the organization “condemns this hateful language and attempt to sow fear within our community.”
“Hillel is here for you: please be in touch if you would like to talk or need support,” the statement reads. “And, we look forward to continuing our great semester of events with Shabbat dinner this week.”
On Friday afternoon, Haven, Cornell’s LGBTQ+ student union, released a statement on Instagram, explaining that they stand in solidarity with all of those impacted by the email.
“No matter your political views, race, gender identity, sexual orientation, or beliefs, you deserve safety and belonging in your place of learning,” the statement reads. “Haven stands with you in that commitment and will continue to affirm this principle with pride and solidarity.
CUPD referred The Sun back to Cornell Media Relations in response to a request for additional information about the investigation.
“We know our community is stronger than any hate we may receive and that Cornell is [a] place where all are welcome,” Weisberg wrote.
Members of the Cornell community can share information related to this incident or report other threats to personal or community safety by contacting (607) 255-1111. 911 may be contacted for emergency assistance. Instances of non-emergency bias can be reported through the bias incident form.
Update, September 5, 1:15 p.m.: The article was updated to include a statement from Haven, Cornell’s LGBTQ+ student union.
Matthew Kiviat is a member of the Class of 2027 in the College of Arts and Sciences. He is the assistant managing editor for the 143rd Editorial Board and was a news editor for the 142nd Editorial Board. He can be reached at mkiviat@cornellsun.com.
