At its meeting on June 29, the Board of Trustees voted to revoke the Honorary Doctor of Fine Arts degree conferred upon comedian Bill Cosby two decades ago.

The vote referenced conduct that Cosby admitted to in sworn depositions. According to the Board’s by-laws, honorary degrees are conferred upon individuals who represent the “highest intellectual and moral values; [the award] should reflect the very character and quality of the University itself.”

Cosby received the honorary degree on May 18, 1996. In recent years, dozens of women have accused the comedian of sexual misconduct.

“The University would not have awarded an honorary degree to Mr. Cosby if the full breadth of his past actions were known at the time,” the Board of Trustees noted.

Wednesday’s vote followed two other unanimous decisions seeking such action, made by University organizations representing students, and faculty and staff. The votes were taken by the Undergraduate Student Government in March, and the University Senate in May.