Tufts University Revokes Bill Cosby's Honorary Degree
MEDFORD (CBS/AP) — Tufts University says it has rescinded an honorary doctor of arts degree it gave to Bill Cosby a decade and a half ago.
The university's board of trustees says in a statement it decided to withdraw the honor after concluding there was "a substantial basis" to discredit the accomplishments Cosby was recognized for in 2000.
Court documents unsealed in July show the 78-year-old Cosby admitting extramarital relationships with several women, some of whom accuse him of sexual assault.
Cosby has never been charged with a crime.
In a letter to the university community, Tufts President Anthony Monaco says "Mr. Cosby has demonstrated a lack of character and integrity that clearly does not represent the values to which our university is committed and for which he was honored."
"Therefore, on the recommendation of its Honorary Degree Committee, the Board voted to revoke his honorary degree, concluding that there is a substantial basis to discredit the accomplishments for which he was recognized 15 years ago," he added.
Tufts said it's also withdrawing an award given to Cosby in 2011 for excellence in children's media.
(TM and © Copyright 2015 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2015 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)