Howard University Board of Trustees votes to accept the return of honorary degree issued to Sean "Diddy" Combs


Overview:

The Howard University Board of Trustees voted unanimously today to accept the return by Mr. Sean Combs of the honorary degree conferred upon him in 2014.

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In a communication issued today, a Howard University spokesperson released the statement below on behalf of the Howard University Board of Trustees regarding honorary degree recipient Sean Combs following the conclusion of the board’s regularly scheduled meeting on June 7, 2024. 

A security video obtained by CNN in May 2024 appears to show music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs assaulting his ex-girlfriend Cassie during a 2016 hotel incident she described in a lawsuit. This lawsuit, which has since been settled, alleged that the rapper subjected her to years of physical and sexual abuse.

CNN reported that the video, capturing multiple angles, is from an incident in March 2016.

Cassie, whose full name is Casandra Ventura and who is now 37, filed a federal lawsuit in November accusing Combs of rape and physical abuse, including punching, beating, kicking, and stomping her throughout their relationship. The lawsuit was settled the day after it was filed.

The statement from Howard University reads in full.

The Howard University Board of Trustees voted unanimously today to accept the return by Mr. Sean Combs of the honorary degree conferred upon him in 2014. This acceptance revokes all honors and privileges associated with the degree. Accordingly, the Board has directed that his name be removed from all documents listing honorary degree recipients of Howard University. 

Mr. Combs’ behavior as captured in a recently released video is so fundamentally incompatible with Howard University’s core values and beliefs that he is deemed no longer worthy to hold the institution’s highest honor. 

The University is unwavering in its opposition to all acts of interpersonal violence. 

The Board has also directed the University administration to immediately take the following actions: terminate a 2016 gift agreement with Mr. Combs, disband the scholarship program in his name, return his $1 million contribution, and terminate a 2023 pledge agreement with the Sean Combs Foundation.  

No payments toward the $1 million pledge have been due or made by the Sean Combs Foundation as of this date, therefore no funds are due to be returned under the 2023 pledge agreement.” 

The Board and University administration declined any further comment on this matter. 



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