UMass Amherst cuts ties with alumnus Bill Cosby after rape allegations surface

The University of Massachusetts Amherst has severed its links to Bill Cosby, one of the school’s most notable alumni. The move comes as the comedian remains under fire after over a dozen women have accused him of sexual assault.

Cosby was an honorary co-chairman for UMass Amherst’s fundraising campaign. According to The Boston Globe, Cosby and his wife donated thousands of dollars to the school, as he has both a master’s and doctorate in education.

“Bill Cosby has agreed to resign as an honorary co-chair of UMass Amherst's capital campaign. He no longer has any affiliation with the campaign nor does he serve in any other capacity for the university," Ed Blaguszewski, a school spokesman, told CNN.

Students at the university told the Globe that they support the decision. Diana Ciccolini, a member of the school’s Isenberg Women in Business organization, said they considered inviting the Cosby Show star for a fundraiser, but decided against it the moment the allegations surfaced.

Cosby had been attempting a comeback, but that has been derailed as at least 15 women have accused the comedian of rape. The alleged incidents happened over the course of decades, with some dating back to the 1960s.

Cosby has not issued a detailed statement, but his attorney, Martin Singer, has repeatedly tried to discredit the claims and has called them false.

Cosby did face a civil lawsuit from Andrea Constand, but she reached a monetary settlement in 2006 before the case went to trial.

Image courtesy of INFphoto.com

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