UM Curators unanimously vote to rescind Bill Cosby honorary degree

The UM Board of Curators unanimously voted to rescind Bill Cosby’s honorary degree at their meeting Friday.

President Dr. Mun Choi asked the curators to formally take action, citing a 2005 deposition in which the actor admitted to purchasing Quaaludes to give to women to have sex.

The actor’s sexual assault trial ended in a mistrial last week, but the prosecutor said he will re-try “The Cosby Show” star. Choi said Cosby’s actions are not in line with the mission of the university system and added that more than 50 women have accused the actor of sexual assault.

“The University of Missouri-Columbia with full support of the Board of Curators and at the urging of administrative and faculty leaders, has revoked Bill Cosby’s honorary degree,” the UM System said in a statement. “Honorary degrees throughout the University of Missouri System are reserved for those who have ascended to the pinnacle of their fields while conducting themselves consistent with the university’s core values. The evidence presented during the recent criminal trial indicated that he engaged in behavior that is in direct conflict with the core values of the University of Missouri. We join 20 to 25 other universities in rescinding his honorary degree.”

Cosby was awarded the honorary degree by the University of Missouri in 1999.