Howard University cuts ties with Sean “Diddy” Combs after video of Cassie attack released

Howard University is cutting ties with Sean “Diddy” Combs, revoking an honorary doctorate and dissolving a scholarship program in his name, following a recently released 2016 video that appears to show him assaulting R&B singer Cassie.

“Mr. Combs’ conduct, as captured in a recently released video, is so fundamentally inconsistent with the core values ​​and beliefs of Howard University that he is no longer deemed worthy of receiving the institution’s highest honor,” the university’s board of trustees said in a statement.

The statement said the board voted unanimously on Friday to return the honorary degree Combs received in 2014. “This acceptance revokes all honors and privileges associated with the title. Accordingly, the board has ordered that his name be removed from all documents listing honorary degree recipients from Howard University,” it said.

The board also directed the university administration to sever financial ties with Combs, including repaying a $1 million donation, ending the scholarship program and terminating a 2023 pledge agreement with the Sean Combs Foundation.

An email seeking comment was sent Saturday by the Associated Press to a Combs spokesman.

Combs admitted last month that he punched his ex-girlfriend Cassie in a hotel hallway in 2016 after CNN released video of the attack. In a video statement posted on social media, he said he was “sincerely sorry” and his actions were “inexcusable.”

“I take full responsibility for my actions in that video. I was disgusted when I did it. I still am now,” Combs said.

A lawsuit filed last year by Cassie, whose real name is Cassandra Ventura, sparked a wave of similar cases and public accusations against Combs. However, that suit was settled.