Bill Cosby has brought an end to his long relationship with Temple University following renewed accusations that he sexually assaulted several women over decades.
The 77-year-old has maintained a relationship with his Philadelphia alma mater and remained a board member since 1982.
[quote text_size=”small” author=”– Bill Cosby” author_title=”Comedian and entertainer”]
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.
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Board chairman Patrick O’Connor said Cosby did not want to be a distraction. O’Connor defended Cosby in a 2005 civil suit filed by a former Temple employee who accused Cosby of drugging and sexually assaulting her at his home. The lawsuit was settled for undisclosed terms, Huffington Post reported.
In a report to police in 2005, Andrea Constand said that in 2004, when she was a staffer for the Temple women’s basketball team she was at Cosby’s home in Pennsylvania. She said Cosby gave her medication that made her dizzy, and when she woke up later, she found her clothing in disarray.
At Temple, an online petition urging the university to sever its ties with Cosby has received more than 1,000 signatures by Monday.
Cosby and his wife, Camille, have been long-time supporters of Temple. The couple have donated money and have a scholarship named for them. Cosby made many popular commencement speeches at the university. In August, Temple hosted Cosby’s induction into the Writers Guild of America, People reported.
A great deal of Cosby’s philanthropic work has been focused on higher education, and the comedian has strong ties with universities throughout the country. Cosby also recently stepped down from his position as honorary co-chair of a $300 million fundraising campaign at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, where he earned two graduate degrees, the Washington Post reported. The Berklee College of Music also announced it will no longer award a scholarship in Cosby’s name.
At least seventeen women have publicly accused Cosby of sexual misconduct, many of whom say he drugged them before raping them. The allegations span more than 40 years. Cosby’s attorney, Martin D. Singer, has repeatedly denied the claims.
