Boston University has decided to strip Bill Cosby of a honorary degree it awarded to him last year, citing the legendary comedian’s sworn testimony after he was sued for sexual abuse.
University President Robert Brown said in a statement that the Board’s decision “was based on a determination, supported by Mr. Cosby’s sworn deposition testimony, that his treatment of women has brought significant and lasting discredit upon himself and is inconsistent with the University’s mission and values.” Brown added that the university only learned of Cosby’s alleged conduct after awarding the degree at the 141st Commencement ceremony in May 2014.
“[His admitted conduct] demonstrates that his character fails to reflect the integrity and virtues that the University values and esteems in members of its community, and in those persons the University holds up for this particular honor,” Brown added.
Cosby admitted in a 2005 deposition that he obtained a sedative with the intent of giving it to young women he wanted to have sex with, but his representatives defended those comments, saying the sedatives were a popular party drug in the 1970s and 80s. Cosby made the statements under oath after a former Temple University employee sued him for sexual abuse. That lawsuit was settled in 2006 for undisclosed terms, but numerous women have come forward over the past year to accuse him of sexual assault.
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