Sept. 13, 2018: Update from the Board of Trustees

Dear Bucknellians,

In late July, I wrote to you about reports of a forthcoming news article containing allegations of sexual misconduct on the part of Bucknell alumnus Les Moonves. Following those initial reports, and considering Mr. Moonves' own statement on the matter, we removed from our website content that celebrated his relationship with Bucknell and removed his name from a prominent room on campus. At that time, the Board of Trustees — the entity with the authority to grant and revoke degrees, including honorary degrees — planned to address the status of Mr. Moonves' honorary degree at its next meeting, which was scheduled to be held on campus in October.

In light of new allegations of additional, unconscionable behavior by Mr. Moonves, the Board determined it appropriate to accelerate that timetable. Yesterday evening, the trustees met telephonically and voted to revoke Mr. Moonves' honorary degree.

The actions described in the allegations against Mr. Moonves, and his own statements on the matter, stand in direct conflict with the values that form the foundation of not only what it means to be a Bucknellian, but also the qualities we seek to celebrate through the conferring of an honorary degree.

John