INDEPENDENT SINCE 1880
The Corne¬ Daily Sun Vol. 142, No. 3
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2025 n ITHACA, NEW YORK
News
Science
Skinning Scandal
Cornell Computing
Two Cornell students skinned a bear in the communal kitchen of Ganędago residence hall on Saturday. | Page 4
16 Pages – Free
A look into how the Cornell Quantum Computing Association has grown to the forefront of research. | Page 8
Kotlikoff Impersonator Threatens Jewish, LGBTQ+ Students
An email sent to several Sun departments on Thursday included graphic death threats By MATTHEW KIVIAT Sun Assistant Managing Editor
Sept. 5 — 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 email sent to The Sun, and later published as 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 read. “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 imme-
diately contacted. “stand in solidarity” with all of those Maya Weisberg ’26, president of impacted by the email. Cornell Hillel, explained the actions the “No matter your political views, race, organization took in response to the threat gender identity, sexual orientation, or in a statement to The Sun. beliefs, you deserve safety and belonging “When Hillel learned of the threatening in your place of learning,” the statement and vile message we contacted CUPD to reads. “Haven stands with you in that report the incident and make sure that commitment and will continue to affirm all students on campus remained safe,” this principle with pride and solidarity. Weisberg wrote. “While we are deeply CUPD referred The Sun back to disturbed by this hateful message, we are Cornell Media Relations in response to a thankful to both CUPD and the university request for additional information about administration for working with us over the investigation. these past few hours to ensure the safety of “We know our community is stronger our campus. than any hate we may receive and that Cornell Hillel released a statement on Cornell is [a] place where all are welcome,” Instagram on Thursday evening, describ- Weisberg wrote. ing that the organization “condemns this Members of the Cornell community hateful language and attempt to sow fear can share information related to this incident or report other threats to personal within our community.” “Hillel is here for you: please be in or community safety by contacting (607) touch if you would like to talk or need sup- 255-1111. 911 may be contacted for emerport,” the statement reads. “And, we look gency assistance. Instances of non-emerforward to continuing our great semester gency bias can be reported through the of events with Shabbat dinner this week.” bias incident form. On Friday afternoon, Haven, Cornell’s LGBTQ+ student union, released a state- Matthew Kiviat can be reached at ment on Instagram, explaining that they mkiviat@cornellsun.com.
Cornell’s Cost of Attendance Surpasses 100K for Some By EMMA GALGANO Sun Staff Writer
Sept. 8 — Cornell’s rising tuition and fees have pushed the estimated total cost of attendance past $100,000 when including the student health insurance plan for some undergraduates in the 2025-2026 academic year. The billed costs for “typical fulltime” undergraduate students in endowed colleges total $92,844, according to Cornell’s Office of Financial Aid and Student Employment. This includes $71,266 for tuition, $13,246 for housing, $7,328 for food, $424 for the student activity fee and $580 for the Cornell Health fee. In addition, Cornell estimates non-
billed costs such as books, course materials and personal expenses at $3,434, bringing the combined total of billed and non-billed costs to $96,268. The 2025–2026 cost estimate does not include the Cornell Student Health Insurance Plan, which all students are automatically enrolled in. For new students this year, the plan charges a collective $3,685 for the fall and spring semesters, an increase of $176 from the 2024–2025 academic year. Returning students face a charge of $4,020, raised $192 from the previous year. The total cost of attendance, including the Student Health Insurance Plan, equates to $100,288 for returning students and $99,953 for new students in the 2025-2026 academic year.
SOPHIA CURBELO / SUN GRAPHICS STAFFER
Costly college | Some Cornell students’ cost of attendance may exceed $100,000 for the first time.
A student can opt out of Cornell’s Student Health Insurance Plan by submitting a waiver stating that their current insurance meets all University coverage requirements, including year-round, U.S.-based and Affordable Care Actcompliant care. Incoming and returning students had to submit a waiver by July 31 to opt out of the Student Health Insurance Plan for the upcoming year. Other expenses not factored into the official estimate include transportation, such as resident parking permits priced at $752.86 per year and OMNI Ride TCAT passes at $200. Additionally, optional gym memberships are not included, ranging from $150 to $168 depending on purchase date. The cost of attendance has been steadily increasing, with Cornell’s estimated cost of attendance (excluding the Cornell Student Health Insurance Plan) being $88,150 in 2023-2024 and $92,150 in 2024-2025. According to a University spokesperson, the increases in cost of attendance reflect Cornell’s efforts to sustain academic quality while expanding financial aid. “Tuition increases, when paired with investments in financial aid, allow the university to continue to operate and help keep Cornell affordable for middleand lower-income students,” the spokesperson wrote in an email to The Sun. The spokesperson added that Cornell has committed a record $459 million to institutional financial aid, calling the University “more accessible and affordable than ever.” Some students, however, say the ris-
ing costs still weigh heavily on families. Hayden Watkins ’28, vice president for finance on the Student Assembly, said the increases add pressure on families to make Cornell affordable. “My family had to do some financial gymnastics, even with aid, to make it possible for me to be here for four years,” he said. “It makes me feel like I need to show that their investment in my education is worthwhile.” That strain can be especially challenging for first-generation and limited-income students, according to Michelle Van-Ess Grant, senior associate dean of students in the Centers for Student Equity, Empowerment, and Belonging. “Beyond tuition, the expenses of books, travel, professional clothing, and even basic needs can weigh heavily,” she wrote. Grant said first-generation and limited-income students are increasingly open about discussing affordability and access, and the First Generation and Limited-income Student Support Office “continues to provide resources to fill in the gaps when needed.” President Michael Kotlikoff cited “inflationary pressure” as a key driver of rising cost of attendance during a March 2024 budget discussion, saying that they “recognize the impact of inflation on our students and their families” and are “committed to controlling costs while maintaining the excellence of a Cornell education.” Emma Galgano can be reached at egalgano@cornellsun.com.