Charlie Rose attends The Hollywood Reporter’s 35 Most Powerful People in Media party at The Pool on Thursday, April 13, 2017, in New York. (Photo by Andy Kropa/Invision/AP)Amid the cultural whirlwind of the #MeToo and #TimesUp movements, a nearby private university is grappling with its own debate after deciding not to rescind an honorary degree awarded to longtime journalist and television host Charlie Rose, who has been accused of sexual harassment.
Sewanee: University of the South, an Episcopalian campus in Sewanee, Tenn., granted Rose the honorary degree in 2016 on the basis of his journalistic accomplishments; he otherwise has no connection to the university. Rose delivered the university’s baccalaureate address the same year.
Rose, former “CBS This Morning” co-host, was accused of sexual harassment by eight women, The Washington Post reported in November. Rose apologized for his inappropriate behavior and said he was greatly embarrassed, but said he didn’t think the allegations were accurate.
Other universities, both public and private, already have revoked honors awarded to Rose, including Arizona State, Fordham, the University of Kansas and the State University of New York.
But some have decided not to do so, including his alma mater, Duke University, which awarded him an honorary degree in 2016.