Bill Cosby has reportedly resigned from Temple University’s board of trustees due to the controversy surrounding rape allegations from over a dozen women. Cosby had been a member of the board since 1982.
“I have always been proud of my association with Temple University,” the comedian said in a school statement. “I have always wanted to do what would be in the best interests of the university and its students.”
An online petition had already been circulating around the university and had gained 1,000 signatures.
[ALSO READ: UMass-Amherst Has Asked Bill Cosby To Step Down As A Honorary Co-Chairman]
President of the Temple’s student body Raymond Smeriglio said that the accusations brought against Cosby “got to the point where the reputation of the institution started to get dragged down with (them).”
Cosby, 77, attended Temple University from 1961-62 on a track and field scholarship. After leaving early to pursue his comedy career, he returned a decade later to earn his bachelor’s degree.
Amid all the controversy surrounding the favorable TV dad, singer Jill Scott recently came to his defense. Scott, who was awarded an honorary degree from Temple earlier this year, took to her Twitter to stand up for Cosby.
“It’s hearsay in a court of law. Tis all. Trust. If this is true, he’ll face his due just like everyone,” she said in one tweet. She then posted another tweet saying, “I’m respecting a man who has done more for the image of Brown people that almost anyone EVER. From Fat Albert to the Huxtables.”
While the Philly songstress is standing by Cosby, many others have stepped away from him. His othr alma mater, UMass-Amherst, recently asked him to step down as a honorary co-chairman of their fundraising committee. The Berklee College of Music will also no longer give out a scholarship in Cosby’s name.