DAVID LANGE//
The George Washington University has refused to revoke Bill Cosby’s honorary degree despite an outcry from the student body. The university’s Student Association (S.A.) voted unanimously on Monday night to object to GW’s refusal to revoke the honorary degree. Prior to the vote, S.A. senators cited that honorary degrees are conferred upon those who, “demonstrate the value of hard work, dignity and integrity.”
The university responded to the Student Association’s resolution saying that honorary degrees are, “conferred at a moment in time, based on what the university knows about the honoree at that time,” according to a university statement. “It has never been the university’s practice to rescind an honorary degree.”
However, student organizations including the GW Feminist Student Union and the GW Students Against Sexual Assault joined the S.A. in condemning the university’s decision. They citied the hypocrisy of the school allowing Cosby to keep his honorary degree while the school simultaneously participates in the White House’s “It’s On Us” campaign, which is designed to help end sexual assault on college campuses.
Cosby has been accused of numerous counts of either rape, drug-facilitated sexual assault, sexual battery or sexual misconduct.
Comments