Northwestern Considers Rescinding Bill Cosby's Honorary Degree

EVANSTON, IL — Northwestern University could join dozens of other schools in rescinding honorary degrees granted to Bill Cosby. He would become the first recipient of an honorary Northwestern degree to see it revoked, the Daily Northwestern reported. More than 40 women have publicly accused the longtime actor, comedian, author – and recently convicted sex offender – of sexual assault.

A Pennsylvania jury last Thursday found Cosby, 80, guilty of drugging and raping a Temple University employee at his home in the Philadelphia suburb of Cheltenham in 2004. Cosby awaits sentencing on three counts of aggravated indecent assault that could bring a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison.

On Friday, Temple revoked Cosby's honorary degree. He graduated from the school in 1971 and joined its board of trustees in 1982. Several more universities who had bestowed honorary degrees on Cosby soon followed suit, including Carnegie Mellon, Notre Dame, Johns Hopkins and Boston College, which also had never rescinded a degree.

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In the wake of the verdict, a Northwestern spokesman issued a statement to the Daily Northwestern saying the university's board of trustees would discuss the matter on June 18, just days before this year's commencement. A spokesman did not immediately respond to further written questions Wednesday morning.

Although the university has never taken back an honorary degree it has awarded, it withdrew its offer of one to Rev. Jeremiah Wright of Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago a decade ago, citing controversial statements that would affect the "celebratory character" of the school's commencement.

Yale University announced Tuesday it was withdrawing the honorary degree it awarded Cosby in 2003, ending its longstanding policy of never revoking such honors.

"The board took this decision following Mr. Cosby's criminal conviction after he was afforded due process," the school said in a statement. "Yale is committed to both the elimination of sexual misconduct and the adherence to due process. We reaffirm that commitment with our action today."

Brown University and several other universities revoked honorary degrees awarded to Cosby in September 2015 after videotaped sworn depositions were released in which the comedian and actor admitted drugging women. The only other person to have their degree revoked from that school was the German ambassador in 1918, who was accused of "conduct dishonorable alike in a gentleman and a diplomat."

At the time, a Northwestern spokesman declined to comment to the school paper and trustees declined to take any action. A university spokesman has not responded to written questions on the subject.

Jurors in the Cosby trial issued a joint statement Monday saying they found his accuser "credible and compelling."

More: First Cosby Juror Speaks Out, And Here's What He Said