The California State University Board of Trustees revoked an honorary doctorate that was presented in 1992 to comedian Bill Cosby at Cal Poly Pomona, the university announced Friday.
Cosby has been accused by dozens of women of drugging and sexually assaulting them, although he has denied any wrongdoing and has not been charged with a crime.
According to the university, Cosby’s conduct “is contrary to the values of the CSU and inconsistent with the criteria and high standards that honorary degree recipients are expected to exemplify.”
This is the first time the CSU has ever revoked an honorary degree. The university has been presenting them since 1963.
According to the university, the board took the action “in order to maintain the prestige, reputation and credibility of the CSU, Cal Poly Pomona and other honorary doctorate degree recipients.”
“The purpose of the honorary doctorate degree is to recognize inspirational individuals who serve as role models and have made outstanding contributions to the CSU, individual campuses, the state of California or humanity at large,” according to the CSU. “The honorees include individuals whose lives, conduct and significant achievements serve as examples of the CSU’s aspirations for its diverse student population.”
