Howard University has revoked the honorary degree previously awarded to embattled American rapper and music executive Sean Combs, also known as Diddy.
The decision is against the backdrop of multiple sexual assault charges against Diddy and the emergence of a video showing the rapper assaulting his ex-girlfriend, Cassie, in a hotel, behaviour that the university deemed fundamentally incompatible with its core values.
“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,” a university spokesperson told Fox on Friday.
“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.”
Diddy, a former student at Howard, dropped out after two years in 1990. He received the honorary doctorate and served as commencement speaker in 2014.