I am sure everyone today knows all of the allegations against Harvey Weinstein sexually assaulting women for years in Hollywood. But many people do not know that he actually has an honorary degree from the Univertsity at Buffalo.
On October 11, 2017, a statement was released from the university regarding the honorary degree. It stated, “The university has initiated the process, s]pursuant to the SUNY Board of Trustees policy, for the revocation of a SUNY honorary degree”. This was issued by John DellaContrada, the Association Vice President for Media Regulation and Stakeholder Communications.
There were some concerns though with the revocation of Mr. Weinsteins degree, because back in the early 2000’s a reasonable amount of money was donated from Disney and Miramax to the university. Luckily, Mr. DellaContrada addressed the financial issues as well in the statement he released saying, “In 2004 and 2005, Disney on behalkf of Miramax gave a total of $22,750…(there were) scholarships awarded to students in 2005, expending all of he funding from the gift.” Concluding that all of the money from the donation was already pput towards the students scholarships. The university also addressed that, “Harvey Weinstein never personally made a gift to the univeristy.”
The University at Buffalo has every right the revoke Harvey Weinsteins honorary degree both ethically and legally. What he has allegedly done is disrespectful and horrific and he should feel the consequences. The fact that UB is taking it into their own hands to revoke his degree is something to feel great pride in as a student and as a woman.
There are no further statements released regarding Mr. Weinsteins degree since October 11, 2017.
Information retrieved from: http://www.buffalo.edu/news/releases/2017/10/020.html