Should Lehigh University revoke Donald Trump's honorary degree?
A Lehigh University professor is urging the college to discuss revoking Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump's honorary degree.
Lehigh professor Richard Weisman said he believes Trump's views violate the college's commitment to "confront and reject discrimination in all its forms." He said Trump actions are not in line with Lehigh University's stated values.
"In light of what Donald Trump has said about many different kinds of people, there seems to be a contradiction," said Weisman, who is a professor in the department of civil and environmental engineering. "I am trying to hold a mirror up to the community and provoke a discussion about what our values are."
The Bethlehem school said Wednesday one of its students who had traveled abroad over winter break contracted the virus.
The university awarded the honorary degree to Trump in 1988, the year after comedian Bill Cosby was honored with a degree.
Lehigh was one of the universities that rescinded an honorary degree awarded to Cosby, saying conduct described in a 2005 deposition is antithetical to its values.
Court documents unsealed in July show the 78-year-old Cosby admitting extramarital relationships with several women, some of whom accuse him of sexual assault. He's now been charged with sexually assaulting a woman.
Lehigh University in Bethlehem said Wednesday that conduct described by Cosby in a 2005 deposition is antithetical to its values.
Weisman is encouraging various campus groups, including the honorary degrees committee, student senates and the Council for Equity and Community, to tackle whether the Trump degree also should be revoked.
Lehigh spokeswoman Lori Friedman said there are no plans to rescind Trump's degree at the moment.
"Lehigh University respects the right of anyone in the campus community to participate in open dialogue," she said. "We believe that the free exchange of ideas is part of what the university experience is about."
Throughout Trump's candidacy he's been a lightning rod for controversy and garnered widespread criticisms for his comments and policy positions. He's called for a temporary ban on all Muslims entering the U.S. and made statements about women and immigrants that have been criticized.
Weisman said his personal views on Trump are secondary and declined to get into them. But he did tell Lehigh's student newspaper he's "not a fan" of the candidate.
Weisman's push to spark debate on the merit of Trump's degree was inspired by two events, he said. He learned on the radio that Robert Gordon University in Scotland revoked its degree because Trump made statements incompatible with its values.
And then he saw Lehigh students rallying on campus around the flag pole in solidarity with students from the University of Missouri Columbia. Students in the rally pushed for discussions on race, ethnicity and the community.
"Then everybody leaves the flagpole and no one talks about it," Weisman said.
Lehigh has struggled with racial issues in recent years.
In 2014, the university voluntarily reached a settlement to end a federal investigation into a complaint alleging the university did nothing to prevent an environment of racial hostility on campus.
In light of Trump's comments, Weisman thinks a debate on the merits of taking back the honor would be a "pretty useful device" for talking about issues of race, ethnicity, intimidation and fear.
It's also sparked some conversations about the practice of awarding honorary degrees. In one meeting, a student questioned if Lehigh needed to look at every honorary recipient.
"Or is it just because Donald Trump has received too much attention in the news he sticks out like a sore thumb?" Weisman said. "I think going forward, if Lehigh is going to continue giving out honorary degrees, they need to pay attention to the values of that person."
Some groups have answered his call while others are still working on responding. He's been pleased with the response and hopes it grows.
"We'll see where it goes," Weisman said.