Following the revelation of a 2016 video purporting to show Sean “Diddy” Combs assaulting R&B singer Cassie, Howard University is severing its relations with the musician, rescinding an honorary degree granted to him, and canceling a scholarship program named in his honor.
According to a statement from the university’s Board of Trustees, “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.”
According to the announcement, the board decided on Friday to accept the return of Combs’ 2014 honorary degree unanimously. All honors and benefits connected to the degree are withdrawn with this acceptance. As a result, the Board has ordered that his name be struck from all records of Howard University honorary degree recipients,” the statement stated.
In addition, the board instructed university officials to sever financial links with Combs. This included canceling the scholarship program, returning a $1 million donation, and terminating a 2023 pledge agreement with the Sean Combs Foundation.