Bill Cosby Steps Down from Temple University Board

Bill Cosby resigned Monday as a trustee of his alma mater, Temple University, amid calls by some students that he be ousted over allegations of serial sexual assault, Reuters reports.

The 77-year-old entertainer has denied accusations by more than a dozen women that he forced himself upon them, in some cases allegedly drugging them first. “He didn’t want his personal issue to detract from his service to Temple,” said Patrick O’Connor, chairman of the Philadelphia university’s board, to whom Mr. Cosby tendered his resignation.

The assault claims have cast a shadow over Mr. Cosby’s history of philanthropy, which has included tens of millions of dollars in gifts to institutions of higher education. Temple has not disclosed how much it has received from the actor and comedian, who has had a long and highly public association with the institution.