Tufts Revokes Bill Cosby's Honorary Degree

Amid an ongoing investigation into multiple sexual assault allegations, Tufts University announced Thursday that it has rescinded an honorary degree given to Bill Cosby. The school joins a growing list of educational institutions to distance themselves from the former comedian.

The Tufts Board of Trustees revoked the honorary Doctor of Arts degree conferred on Bill Cosby at a commencement ceremony in May 2000. Additionally, the Eliot-Pearson Department of Child Study and Human Development has withdrawn the Eliot-Pearson Award for Excellence in Children’s Media awarded to Cosby in 2011.

“Mr. Cosby has demonstrated a lack of character and integrity that clearly does not represent the values to which our university is committed and for which he was honored,” school president Tony Monaco said in a statement. “Therefore, on the recommendation of its Honorary Degree Committee, the board voted to revoke his honorary degree, concluding that there is a substantial basis to discredit the accomplishments for which he was recognized 15 years ago,”

Cosby, 78, has admitted to taking part in extramarital relationships with many women. Some of those women have accused him of sexual assault. He has not been charged with a crime.

A total of seven schools across the nation have now rescinded Cosby’s honorary degrees.

“The board’s decision was made after lengthy and serious consideration. The board agreed that revocation was appropriate in light of Mr. Cosby’s conduct, which we now believe to have been inconsistent with the high standards of Tufts University,” Monaco said.

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