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An interesting conversation started after Howard University revoked Sean ‘Diddy' Combs’s honorary degree. On Friday evening, the Washington, D.C.-based HBCU announced that the university board of trustees voted unanimously to end all ties with Combs, including dissolving his scholarship program, and returning his $1 million donation. Per the statement, no payments have been made by the Sean Combs Foundation towards the $1 million pledge.
The statement from a university spokesperson read:
“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 Board has also directed the University administration to immediately take the following actions: terminate a 2016 gift agreement with Mr. Combs, disband the scholarship program in his name, return his $1 million contribution, and terminate a 2023 pledge agreement with the Sean Combs Foundation.
No payments toward the $1 million pledge have been due or made by the Sean Combs Foundation as of this date, therefore no funds are due to be returned under the 2023 pledge agreement.”
Many argue that colleges and universities should refrain from granting honorary degrees, irrespective of the recipient's celebrity status. An honorary degree, as defined by Indeed.com, is an academic accolade bestowed upon accomplished individuals without the need for formal education at a higher institution.
Many believe that it is wrong to give out degrees to celebrities and dignitaries without them putting in the work to get it. Others believe that it’s fine as the recipients have earned it based on their work in their industry or field.
Consideration must also be given to the recipient's ethics, morals, business practices, and behaviors, as these factors could lead to the institution rescinding the degree. Hence, what ocured with Combs following multiple continued involvement in controversies related to abuse and alleged sexual misconduct.
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The debate on whether institutions of higher learning should cease awarding honorary degrees has sparked discussions on social media after Howard University's recent announcement. A post on HBCU Pulse's Instagram garnered a consensus that colleges and universities ought to end this tradition.
“Yes. It’s literally undermining the work actual college students do. Why would I go get my doctorate in anything when I can just get famous get one given to me? No student loans, no work or anything? That’s why I respect the celebrities that actually go and EARN their degrees,” commented @themastermindchrisblue.
“If they didn’t work for that degree & actually went to class everyday stressing then they don’t need a degree. These honorary degrees are use in the first place because they aren’t gonna do anything with it anyway,” commented @iamjeremiahtyrece.
“Yes, unless the criteria is SIGNIFICANTLY more rigorous AND it becomes an actual credential. Otherwise, what's the use? Thank the people for their donation or speech and move on,” commented @imbrittjamesbih.
However, some believe that the conferring of honorary degrees shouldn't be stopped in general and some argue that there should be greater contingencies on who gets the honor.
“No. Just be more cautious about who we’re giving to. There are a lot of people who did the work that we now study and didn’t get the chance to get a degree. Their works are now guiding us to get where they are. I believe that deserves recognition,” posted @thesanginscientist.
“I think it’s insane to take away something like this because of one person. Missy Elliot’s honorary degree was WELL DESERVED. She put in the work and is the reason some classes even exist. When your impact is so great that graduate students are being taught by your life’s accomplishments, you deserve it. Point. Blank. Period,” commented @isaaclamar.
“The only ones who should receive honorary degrees are alumni who are doing good things in the world and showcasing their Alma mater or graduate schools in a good light! But that’s just me,” commented @jazzy.xo.jay.
“Only for celebrities, I wouldn't mind if they were given out to people who really put in work in the community or people who are giving back. But it seems like they just give to any and every celebrity now,” commented @
