The Cosby case is particularly sensitive to universities as the nation faces what the White House has called an “epidemic” of sex assault on college campuses, with a survey released last week showing that almost one in four female undergraduates has experienced unwanted sexual contact.
Advertisement
“In receiving that degree, Mr. Cosby was specifically honoured in the citation for his “ability to integrate [his] personal character into fictional personae that simulate real life while embracing such cherished American values as honesty, fair play, love of family, and respect for humanity…” Paxson says the university’s board Friday, September 25, 2015, revoked the doctorate of humane letters it granted Cosby in 1985. But, through his lawyers, he has repeatedly denied wrongdoing. University spokesman Gary McDonald said the school sent Cosby a letter informing him the degree, granted in 2012, would be pulled – a first in the school’s history.
To date, more than 50 women who have accused Cosby of drugging and/or sexually assaulting them in episodes dating back to the mid-1960s.
Brown University this week
became the third college to
rescind an honorary degree it awarded to Bill Cosby, but Boston University, which honored the
alleged serial molester in May of 2014, is still “monitoring developments”, a spokesman told the Track.
Paxson added: “The conduct that Mr. Cosby has acknowledged is wholly inconsistent with the behavior we expect of any individual associated with Brown”.
“Nothing in his testimony admits to any non-consensual sexual contact with any woman whatsoever”, said Attorney John Schmitt.
A representative for Cosby did not immediately return a request for comment. The trustees voted unanimously to do so, officially rescinding Mr. Cosby’s Fordham degree.
“That Mr. Cosby was willing to drug and rape women for his sexual gratification, and further damage those same women’s reputations and careers to obscure his guilt, hurt not only his victims, but all women, and is beyond the pale”, the statement read.
Advertisement
“The statement issued by the university was so irresponsible as to shock the conscience”. A recipient’s actions would have to be both unambiguously dishonorable and have a deep impact.
