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University of Missouri revokes Cosby's honorary degree

Posted at 4:33 AM, Jun 22, 2017
and last updated 2017-06-23 12:22:47-04

The University of Missouri revoked an honorary degree it granted to Bill Cosby.

This is the first time the university has ever revoked an honorary degree. The university's Board of Curators voted Friday on a recommendation from system President Mun Choi.

He is urged revocation, citing allegations from several women that Cosby sexually assaulted them.

The university released the following statement:

"The University of Missouri-Columbia, with full support of the Board of Curators and at the urging of administrative and faculty leaders, has revoked Bill Cosby’s honorary degree.

Honorary degrees throughout the University of Missouri System are reserved for those who have ascended to the pinnacle of their fields while conducting themselves consistent with the university’s core values. The evidence presented during the recent criminal trial indicated that he engaged in behavior that is in direct conflict with the core values of the University of Missouri."

 

 A university staff says 20 to 25 other universities have already rescinded honorary degrees for Cosby.

A Pennsylvania jury deadlocked charges based on allegations by an employee of Temple University that Cosby drugged and sexually assaulted her in 2004. The prosecution says it will retry the case.