Northwestern Trustees Revoke Bill Cosby’s Honorary Degree

(Rdsmith4 / Wikimedia Commons)(Rdsmith4 / Wikimedia Commons)

Northwestern University has revoked the honorary degree awarded to comedian Bill Cosby, two months after the comedian was convicted on multiple counts of sexual assault.

Thanks to our sponsors:

View all sponsors

The university’s Board of Trustees on Monday unanimously approved a resolution removing Cosby’s Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree – the first time it has taken such action in its 167-year history.

“Northwestern University is committed to fostering an environment in which all members of its community are safe, secure, and free from sexual misconduct,” the university said in a statement. “The University prohibits all forms of sexual misconduct, including but not limited to, sexual assault, sexual exploitation, stalking, dating or domestic violence, and sexual harassment.”

Cosby was awarded the degree in 1997 after serving as Northwestern’s commencement speaker. Several women have since accused him of sexual assault and misconduct, and in April, a Philadelphia jury found the 80-year-old guilty on three counts of aggravated indecent assault for drugging and assaulting a woman more than a decade earlier.

He is currently awaiting sentencing.

Northwestern’s board said it had previously considered revoking Cosby’s honorary degree, but opted to wait until the conclusion of his trial. Monday marked the board’s first meeting since his conviction.

Since sexual assault accusations against him were first made public, Cosby has had more than 50 honorary degrees and awards revoked or rescinded.

Contact Matt Masterson: @ByMattMasterson[email protected] | (773) 509-5431


CPS Failed to Protect Students from Sex Abuse: Tribune Report

5 Chicago Paramedics ‘Fed Up’ Over Sexual Harassment, Sue City

‘Talk It Out’ Series Seeks to End Sexual Harassment, Gender Bias


Thanks to our sponsors:

View all sponsors

Thanks to our sponsors:

View all sponsors