CSU removes Cosby’s name from campus building


Other institutions that have removed William Cosby’s name from their campus

  • Berklee College of Music in Boston: Removed Cosby's name off a scholarship.
  • High Point (N.C.) University: Removed Cosby from its National Board of Advisors.
  • New York University: Removed Cosby's name from a film-making workshop.
  • Spelman College: Discontinued a prestigious professorship he funded.
  • University of Massachusetts at Amherst: Removed Cosby as co-chairman of a $300 million fundraising campaign.

Central State University’s board of trustees decided unanimously to rename the Camille O. and William H. Cosby Mass Communications Center, in light of recent information involving the comedian and philanthropist.

The building will now be called the CSU Mass Communications Center.

In July, the university announced that as a result of accusations that entertainer Bill Cosby drugged women as a means to have sex with them, the school would cover up Cosby's name and consider removing it altogether. Cosby's name has appeared on its mass communications building since 1992.

Yet Cosby’s name will still appear on at least one plaque at the university, according to CSU Spokeswoman Edwina Blackwell Clark.

The university has yet to decide if it will refund the $1 million Cosby has donated to the university. His donations helped fund the university’s mass communication’s building, a track field and a $50,000 scholarship fund. In addition, he helped raise $4.1 million for the university as part of what was called the Cosby Challenge.

Apart from his donations, Cosby’s name has been a part of the university’s culture. Some communication majors nickname themselves “Cosby kids.”

The university would not confirm or deny, if its top officials have been in contact with Cosby.

CSU's decision comes as colleges across the country have severed ties with Cosby, whose one affable nature as America's favorite television dad has been replaced with allegations of sexual assaults from dozens of women. Cosby has never been charged with a crime and has repeatedly denied the allegations.

Some of the schools that have moved to cut ties with Cosby include historically black colleges and universities — institutions that he has generously donated millions of dollars to over the past several decades. For instance, Spelman College in Atlanta — which received $20 million in donations from Cosby — decided to discontinue a prestigious professorship funded by the actor and his wife.

Cosby’s relationship with universities over the years has included more than just donations. For 32 years, he served on Temple University’s board of trustees. But that relationship has ended. In December, he resigned from the board, citing the move as the best for the “interests of the university and its students.”

Of the more than 20 women that allege that Cosby sexually assaulted them, one is a former director of operations for Temple women's basketball, who filed a lawsuit against the comedian in 2005. That suit was settled in 2006.

Since his resignation from Temple, the number of accusations has rose, adding more pressure on universities. Last week, New York University removed Cosby’s name from a filmmaking workshop.

A handful of colleges have removed Cosby’s name, however, most have yet to return the donations.

One higher education official told this newspaper that returning funds could be challenging for CSU, considering its financial situation. In fact, in April, the university was placed on fiscal watch by the Ohio Department of Higher Education, because its financial health score dropped below state requirements for two years in a row.

Whether Cosby will ask CSU to return his donations is unclear. His attorney, Monique Pressley, did not respond to an interview request made by this newspaper.

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