Goucher College Revokes Bill Cosby Honorary Degree
TOWSON, Md. (WJZ) -- Goucher College takes dramatic action against Bill Cosby, taking away the honorary doctorate they awarded him years ago. The college says Cosby's sex scandal violates its values.
Rick Ritter with reaction to the drastic move.
Cosby received the honorary degree in 2001. The school is now revoking it. Students tell WJZ it's the right move to make.
In what's been a trickle down effect, Goucher College is just the latest to come down on the embattled Bill Cosby, as the image of the longtime TV star continues to be rocked.
Under fire for sexual allegations, the 78-year-old entertainer was Goucher's commencement speaker in 2001 when they presented him an honorary degree.
On Thursday, the school revoked it.
In a letter to the Goucher community, obtained by WJZ, the school's president says in part:
"It has been unanimously decided that Cosby's admitted actions are in direct violation of values Goucher holds dear... We must take a consistent stand against sexual misconduct and cannot accept Cosby's conduct as consistent with our values."
"Anytime that you're honored for something, you should always stand behind it," said freshman Evodie Ngoy.
Students like freshman Liz Ryan point to the school's strict policies.
"It would have felt then that everything Goucher holds dear with that policy would have felt hypocritical," she said.
More than 50 women have accused Cosby of unwanted sexual contact, with some still filing lawsuits as recent as this month. Many are turning to the media.
"I felt Cosby's left hand gently grab my long hair behind my head," one alleged victim said.
Others are now traumatized.
"I've had to live my whole life with this terrible secret about Bill Cosby," said another alleged victim.
A nationwide sex scandal that's hitting home right here in Maryland.
Goucher officials say they have told Cosby about their decision. Cosby has denied all allegations and has not been criminally charged.
Tuft's University in Massachusetts also withdrew an honorary doctorate it presented to Cosby, joining a handful of other schools across the country.
Many accusations against Cosby date back decades and fall outside the statute of limitations for criminal prosecution.