The University of Rhode Island is revoking honorary degrees bestowed upon two once-prominent advisers to former President Donald Trump: retired Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn and former New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani.
The university's board of trustees voted Friday to revoke the degrees following internal deliberations that included a recommendation by URI President Marc Parlange.
The president said in a statement that Flynn and Giuliani 'no longer represent' the values and standards they demonstrated when they first received the honors.
The University of Rhode Island has voted to revoke honorary degrees awarded to retired Lieutenant General Michael Flynn and former NYC mayor Rudolph Giuliani. Pictured in 2016
'As a civic institution, URI has the privilege and responsibility to sustain and preserve American democracy by inspiring and modeling good citizenship,' president of the university Marc Parlange, pictured, said. 'Revoking these honorary degrees reinforces our values and allows us to lead with truth and integrity.'
'As a civic institution, URI has the privilege and responsibility to sustain and preserve American democracy by inspiring and modeling good citizenship,' Parlange said. 'Revoking these honorary degrees reinforces our values and allows us to lead with truth and integrity.'
'After reviewing the recommendation from the President, who endorsed the committee's recommendation, the Board voted to approve the revocation of these honorary degrees,' Margo Cook, chair of the board of trustees, said in a statement
'The Board of Trustees supports the University and its mission to uphold its values, especially its commitment to intellectual and ethical leadership and fostering an environment of diversity and respect.'
Giuliani, who served as one of Trump´s top legal advisers, was awarded the Doctor of Laws Honoris Causa in 2003 based on his leadership in the wake of the September 11, 2001, attacks, according to URI.
Giuliani was awarded the doctor of laws honoris causa in 2003 based on his demonstrated leadership in the wake of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks
The University's committee noted how Giuliani participated in the January 6, 2021 rally that incited the insurrection on the Capitol building in Washington, D.C.
Flynn, a three-star Army general, who briefly served as Trump's national security adviser before resigning following
