Two More Universities Rescind Honorary Degrees for Bill Cosby
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(NEW YORK) — Two more universities have rescinded honorary degrees awarded to Bill Cosby in light of the sexual assault allegations against him.
Drexel University president John A. Fry said Thursday in a letter addressed to the Philadelphia-based school’s community, “The misconduct by Bill Cosby that came to light through his sworn deposition testimony stands in clear opposition to Drexel’s values.”
He later added, “Universities are critical arenas in the movement to recognize and address sexual violence and misconduct as a societal problem. Drexel takes that responsibility very seriously, and the decision to revoke Mr. Cosby’s honorary degree flows from that responsibility.”
Bryant University in Rhode Island also released a statement Thursday, which reads in part, “Through his own statements in legal depositions that have recently become public, Mr. Cosby has admitted engaging in conduct that materially conflicts with values that the Bryant community upholds. The Bryant Board of Trustees considers this an extremely serious matter.”
Previous schools to rescind honorary degrees awarded to Cosby include Brown University and New York City’s Fordham University.
Cosby in the past has denied allegations that he drugged and sexually assaulted women. He has never been charged with a crime in connection with the accusations.
Earlier this week, an attorney for Janice Dickinson said Cosby was scheduled to be deposed November 23 in connection with a defamation lawsuit filed against Cosby by the model. However, the deposition was put on hold by a court Thursday following an appeal by Cosby’s lawyers.
Dickinson has alleged that Cosby drugged and raped her in a Lake Tahoe, California, hotel room in 1982. The model is suing him for defamation, claiming that he’s branded her a liar.
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