Yale University announced Wednesday that its board of trustees voted to rescind the honorary degree awarded to comedian Bill Cosby in 2003.
As early as 2014, a group of studentshad urged the Ivy League school to take back Cosby's degree, after accusations that he had drugged and sexually harassed numerous women became public. The move by the university represents the first time in its 300 year history that an honorary degree has ever been rescinded, according to The Atlantic.
Cosby was convicted last week by a Pennsylvania jury of drugging and sexually assaulting a Temple University employee at his home. He faces a maximum of 30 years in prison. A sentencing hearing has not yet been scheduled. The 80-year-old comedian is currently out on bail.
A statement posted on the Yale's website explained:
"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. 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."
More than 20 other American colleges and universities had already revoked the honorary degrees they gave to Cosby before his conviction, according to The Associated Press.
And like Yale, Cosby's alma mater, Temple University, Carnegie Mellon University, Notre Dame, and Johns Hopkins University all rescinded their honorary degrees after his guilty verdict.
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