Temple University and Bill Cosby have split ways amid allegations of sexual assault and rape. Cosby was an alumnus of the school and served on its Board of Trustee’s.
One of Cosby’s accusers, Andrea Constand, filed a civil suit over a sexual assault allegation that occurred while she was a staffer on the women’s basketball team at Temple University. That suit was settled.
The comedian several days ago also resigned as an honorary co-chair of University of Massachusetts Amherst’s capital campaign. Cosby got his master’s and doctorate in education from UMass Amherst in the 1970s.
“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, Cosby wrote in a statement.
“The Board of Trustees accepts Dr. Cosby’s resignation from the board and thanks him for his service to the university,” responded Temple University.
At least 16 women have spoken out to various media outlets accusing the comedian of sexual misconduct.
Many of the women accusing Cosby say he drugged them before he raped them. Some of the alleged attacks took place decades ago.
The 77-year-old comedian has denied some of the allegations and refused to discuss others. He has never been prosecuted.
The accusations have taken their toll on Cosby’s reputation as the beloved Dr. Huxtable — the sweet, sweater-wearing father on the sitcom, “The Cosby Show.”
They’ve also hit his earnings, as Netflix postponed a stand-up comedy special and NBC also decided against moving forward with a Cosby project.
A lawyer for Cosby has called the increasing number of claims of sexual assault against the comedian “ridiculous” and said the media should stop airing “unsubstantiated, fantastical stories.”
Martin D. Singer said in a written statement sent to CNN that it defies common sense that “so many people would have said nothing, done nothing, and made no reports to law enforcement or asserted civil claims if they thought they had been assaulted over a span of so many years.”
