The famous comedian and actor Bill Cosby was given an honorary degree from USC at his commencement address in 1986. Since then, Cosby has been accused of multiple accounts of sexual assault involving rape, child sexual abuse and drugging, and was found guilty on three counts of aggravated indecent assault.
In addition to USC, Cosby was given honorary degrees by universities such as Yale University, Fashion Institute of Technology, Ohio State University and Carnegie Mellon University. After the allegations resurfaced, many universities, including Temple University and Boston College, rescinded these honors. Before Cosby, Boston College had never rescinded one, but felt that Cosby’s actions were reprehensible.
The University of South Carolina did not revoke Cosby’s honorary degree at any point in the retrial and resurfacing accusation process, but it is up for consideration.
“The Board of Trustees awards honorary degrees, therefore they also decide on the revocation of degrees,” Chief Communications Officer Wes Hickman said. “The matter is under consideration and will be taken up at the June 8 meeting of the academic affairs committee.”