Howard University cut ties with Sean “Diddy” Combs, rescinding an honorary degree awarded to him and dissolving a scholarship program in his name, after a video of him punching his ex-girlfriend, the singer of R&B Cassie.
“Mr. Combs’ behavior, as captured in a recently released video, is so fundamentally inconsistent with the core values and beliefs of Howard University that he is no longer considered worthy of holding the institution’s highest honor,” the board of directors said in a statement.
The statement said the board voted unanimously Friday to accept the return of the honorary title Combs received in 2014. “This acceptance revokes all honors and privileges associated with the title. Accordingly, the board has ordered that her name be removed from all documents listing honorary degree recipients from Howard University,” she said.
The board also ordered university administrators to cut financial ties with Combs, including returning a $1 million contribution, ending the scholarship program and dissolving a 2023 commitment agreement with the Sean Combs Foundation.
The Associated Press on Saturday emailed a Combs spokesman seeking comment.
Combs admitted last month that he punched his ex-girlfriend Cassie in a hotel hallway in 2016, after CNN published video of the attack. In a video statement posted on social media, he said he was “truly sorry” and that his actions were “inexcusable.”
“I take full responsibility for my actions in that video. I was upset when I did it. “Now I’m disgusted,” Combs said.
A lawsuit filed last year by Cassie, whose legal name is Cassandra Ventura, unleashed a wave of similar cases and public accusations against Combs.
Source: AP
