University Of RI Strips Honorary Degrees From Giuliani, Flynn

KINGSTON, RI — Two controversial figures had their honorary degrees revoked by the University of Rhode Island, the school announced Friday. The Board of Trustees unanimously voted to remove the honorary degrees awarded to retired Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn and former New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani.

Margo Cook, the chair of the Board of Trustees, said the board "supports the university and its mission to uphold its values, especially its commitment to intellectual and ethical leadership and fostering an environment of diversity and respect.”"

The move came following a request from URI's Faculty Senate Executive Committee. It was then considered by the school's honorary degree committee, and supported by President Marc Parlange.

"I agree with the Board’s decision," Parlange said. "Based on the findings of the Honorary Degree Committee, I made a recommendation to the Board of Trustees to revoke the honorary degrees of General Flynn and Mayor Giuliani, agreeing that they no longer represent the highest level of our values and standards that were evident when we first bestowed the degree."

Giuliani was awarded the Doctor of Laws Doctor of Laws Honoris Causa in 2003, based on his leadership following the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Flynn, a 1981 graduate, was given an honorary Doctorate of Human Letters in 2014.

"As a civic institution, URI has the privilege and responsibility to sustain and preserve American democracy by inspiring and modeling good citizenship," Parlange continued. "Revoking these honorary degrees reinforces our values and allows us to lead with truth and integrity."

The committee cited the following reasons in the eventual decision to revoke the degrees, in their words:

Flynn

• Flynn pleaded guilty twice to a felony count of “willfully and knowingly” lying to the FBI in exchange for a plea agreement.
• In June 2021, at a conference in Dallas, Texas, Flynn appeared to suggest that a military coup was needed in the U.S., much like the one staged by the military in Myanmar in 2021.
• In November 2021, during a rally in San Antonio, Texas, Flynn called for the establishment of “one religion” in the U.S. His behavior was widely condemned as a violation of the doctrine of religious freedom enshrined in the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.

Giuliani

• Giuliani participated in the Jan. 6, 2021, rally that incited the assault on the Capitol building in Washington, D.C. His words encouraged domestic terrorist behavior aimed at preventing Congress from certifying the outcome of the 2020 presidential election.
• Mayor Giuliani has been suspended from practicing law in Washington, D.C., and the State of New York for his unfounded claims of rampant fraud during the 2020 presidential election. The courts have determined that there is evidence that Mayor Giuliani has made false and misleading statements in representing President Trump and the Trump campaign in connection with Trump’s failed reelection efforts.