Mugabe Loses Honorary Degree From UMass

[Bill McBlueState]

Source: New York Times

The longer that President Robert Mugabe rules Zimbabwe, the more insults he seems to collect. This week, none other than the University of Massachusetts stepped forward to deal its own blow, rescinding the honorary degree it bestowed on him in 1986. From a news release:

“In the two decades that have passed since the honorary degree was awarded, Robert Mugabe has pursued policies and taken actions that are antithetical to the values and beliefs of the University of Massachusetts,” President Wilson said. “I must recommend that we sever the connection that was formed when Robert Mugabe appeared to be a force for positive change in Africa. Today, that promise no longer exists.”

The unprecedented move for the university, which faced pressure from state leaders, came a year after a similar step by the University of Edinburgh. It granted Mr. Mugabe a degree in 1984. A third institution, Michigan State University, is mulling whether to take back an honorary doctorate it bestowed in 1990. Earlier this month, Britain began reviewing Mr. Mugabe’s honorary knighthood.

Read more: http://thelede.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/06/13/mugabe-loses-honorary-degree-from-umass/?hp

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As a UMass student, I'm happy they finally got around to doing this. Next, they should revoke the honorary degree they gave Andrew Card last year.

[bluestateguy]

1. So does the university send someone to Zimbabwe to forcibly take away the diploma?

The whole idea of degree revocation has always struck me as somewhat bizarre.

[SergeyDovlatov]

2. Honorary degree is just a souvenir that universities give out for fun and giggles

They are unrelated to any actual studies done in the subject.

Bill Clinton got an honorary degree from Moscow State University when he visited us in 1994 or 95.

[David__77]

3. What a load of nonsense.

It reminds me of when Queen Elizabeth rescinded Ceausescu's royal award in 1989. When he served Western interest, he was beloved, then he was disposed of purely for political reasons. There's no humanitarianism in this empty gesture - none at all.

[ohio2007]

4. Mr. Mugabe “was seen as a force for democracy and reform,” bwwahahahaaaa

model socialism is running its course in the socialist state of Zimbabwe

UMass
what ass clowns they have shown the world they are.



Maybe they should have invited him back to speak.... at an honorary "roast" .

[noonwitch]

5. Well, I'm sure that will make him stop killing people

Nothing like revoking a piece of paper to stop a killer.