After consultation with a representative committee of its community, the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) today recommended to the State University of New York — of which FIT is a part — that the honorary degree awarded to Bill Cosby in 2000 be rescinded.
The committee agreed that the conviction on Friday — aggravated sexual assault — undermines the accomplishments that were cited for awarding the honorary degree and is injurious to the reputation of SUNY and the college. Such behavior is inconsistent with the values embraced by FIT, as well as with those upheld by SUNY.
The degree was originally offered in recognition of Cosby’s professional accomplishments, and long before allegations regarding his sexual misconduct were known.
This is the first time that FIT has recommended that an honorary degree be revoked.