Update: On Monday, Bill Cosby resigned from the board of the college with which he's been most closely associated, Temple University.
Cosby earned his undergraduate degree from the Philadelphia school.
In a statement, Cosby said, “I have always been proud of my association with Temple University. I have always wanted to do what would be in the best interests of the university and its students. As a result, I have tendered my resignation from the Temple University Board of Trustees."
Original blog posting:
Bill Cosby has always been a proponent of education and has been active on behalf of several colleges, including the University of Massachusetts Amherst, where he earned a master’s and doctorate in education.
In response to the flood of allegations from women that Cosby drugged and sexually assaulted them, the university ended its relationship with the comedian, asking Cosby to step down as honorary co-chair of its $300 million fund-raising campaign.
Credit: Maureen Downey
Credit: Maureen Downey
Cosby also has close ties with Atlanta’s Spelman College; two of his daughters attended Spelman and he gave the Atlanta women’s college the single largest donation ever presented to a HBCU.
In explaining why Spelman has not joined UMass Amherst or High Point University, which removed Cosby from its national advisory board last week, President Beverly Daniel Tatum issued this statement to the college community:
In light of the recent news stories about Dr. Bill Cosby, many news outlets have inquired about our relationship with the Cosby family. We have responded to those inquiries by providing factual information. Below is the statement that has been provided:
"The College is not in a position to comment regarding the allegations. The College's primary connection with the Cosby family is the Camille Olivia Hanks Cosby Ed.D. Academic Center, which opened at Spelman College in 1996. At the time, an endowed professorship named for Drs. Cosby was also established to support visiting scholars in the fine arts, humanities and social sciences as well as Spelman College's Museum of Fine Art. The academic center and endowed professorship were funded through a philanthropic commitment from the Cosby family made more than 25 years ago, and at this time there are no discussions regarding changes to the terms of the gift."
While I cannot control how media outlets position information, and more than one has distorted our statement, I think it is important that all of you have the facts. Two Cosby daughters attended Spelman College. Our building is named after Dr. Camille Olivia Hanks Cosby. The endowed professorship is named after both Cosby parents. The historic $20 million gift that the College received in 1988, more than 25 years ago, came from the Cosby family.
Though it is not appropriate for the College to comment publicly on specific allegations against any individual, sexual assault is a profoundly serious issue for any educational institution. Please know that we do not condone sexual violence in any form and understand our critical role as a women's college to lead in the fight against it. I trust you will read all news media critically, informed by these facts.
Sincerely,
Beverly Daniel Tatum
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