Howard University confirmed Friday the institution’s Board of Trustees unanimously voted to revoke Sean “Diddy” Combs’ honorary degree. This comes after Combs admitted to physically abusing his then-girlfriend, R&B singer Cassie, in a hotel hallway in 2016 after video of the altercation recently surfaced.
The video, which was taken on March 5, 2016, shows Combs grabbing, shoving and kicking Cassie, whose real name is Casandra Ventura. The footage matches allegations made in her lawsuit filed last November.
The University reported the vote to return the degree, which was first bestowed upon Combs in 2014, with a lengthy statement that reads as follows:
“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 statement also makes note that the University administration has been directed to terminate a 2016 “gift agreement” with Combs, in addition to disbanding the scholarship program in his name, and returning his $1 million contribution. They will further terminate a 2023 pledge agreement with the Sean Combs Foundation.
Combs apologized for his behavior in the hotel hallway video with a video message shared to his Instagram. “It’s so difficult to reflect on the darkest times in your life, but sometimes you gotta do that. I was fucked up. I mean, I hit rock bottom. But I make no excuses,” Combs said on Instagram. “My behavior on that video is inexcusable. I take full responsibility for my actions in this video. They’re disgusting. I was disgusted then when I did it, I’m disgusted now. I went and I sought professional help. I’ve been going to therapy, going to rehab. I had to ask God for his mercy and grace. I’m so sorry, but I’m committed to being a better man each and every day. I’m not asking for forgiveness. I am truly sorry.”
