Bill Cosby resigns from Temple University Board of Trustees

Amid the wave of sexual assault allegations against Bill Cosby, the comedian resigned Monday from the board of trustees of his alma mater, Temple University.

Cosby earned his bachelor’s degree from the Philadelphia school in 1971 and joined the board in 1982, university spokesman Ray Betzner told the Los Angeles Times. Temple has called Cosby its “most recognized alumnus.”

“I have always been proud of my association with Temple University,” Cosby said in a statement. “I have always wanted to do what would be in the best interests of the university and its students. As a result, I have tendered my resignation from the Temple University Board of Trustees.”

In a statement, the board thanked him for his service.

One of the allegations against Cosby came from a Temple staffer, Andrea Constand. She sued Cosby in 2005, claiming he drugged and groped her during a visit the year before to his Philadelphia home. During that case, 13 other women came forward with similar stories and were prepared to testify, according to published reports. Constand reached an out-of-court settlement with Cosby in 2006; the terms were not disclosed.

Several other women have since emerged with rape allegations against the 77-year-old star, including former model Janice Dickinson.

Cosby and his attorneys have repeatedly denied the allegations, but the scandal has led several in the entertainment industry to cut ties with him. Netflix indefinitely postponed the release of an exclusive comedy special, NBC scrapped plans to develop a sitcom pilot with him, and TV Land removed reruns of “The Cosby Show” from its schedule. Numerous live shows have been canceled as well.

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