(ABC NEWS)- Yale University has revoked an honorary degree awarded to Bill Cosby more than a decade ago, joining more than two dozen other institutions that previously honored the comedian known as “America’s Dad.”
Yale said its board of trustees voted to rescind Cosby’s 2003 honorary degree after the disgraced star’s April 26 criminal conviction, according to a statement released Tuesday.
The Ivy League university said the decision was a reflection of its commitment to “the elimination of sexual misconduct.”
“The decision is based on a court record providing clear and convincing evidence of conduct that violates fundamental standards of decency shared by all members of the Yale community, conduct that was unknown to the board at the time the degree was awarded,” Yale said in a statement. “The board took this decision following Mr. Cosby’s criminal conviction after he was afforded due process.
“Yale is committed to both the elimination of sexual misconduct and the adherence to due process. We reaffirm that commitment with our action today.”
At least two dozen colleges, including Temple, Johns Hopkins University and Carnegie Mellon University, have rescinded honorary degrees awarded to Cosby, 80, amid the ongoing sexual assault scandal.
