UMass chief supports stripping Mugabe of honorary degree

May 12, 2008 05:03 PM Email| Comments (0)| Text size – +

By Peter Schworm, Globe Staff

University of Massachusetts President Jack M. Wilson announced his support for rescinding an honorary degree to Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe, who is facing international scorn for his regime's bloody campaign against political opponents.

Responding to calls from a key state lawmaker, Wilson recommended that the University of Massachusetts Board of Trustees strip the law degree Mugabe received from UMass Amherst in 1986.

“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,” Wilson said in a statement. “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.”

Last June, trustees voted to rebuke Mugabe for policies and practices that have “brought worldwide scorn” on him, but stopped short of revoking the doctoral degree.

The 22-member board, which has never rescinded an honorary degree, meets June 12 at UMass Lowell.

Trustee James J. Karam said he supports stripping Mugabe of the degree, and said universities should be cautious in awarding honorary degrees to international politicians.

"Many times, today's patriot is tomorrow's terrorist," he said.

In a recent letter to Wilson, Representative Kevin J. Murphy, House chairman of the Joint Committee on Higher Education, denounced Mugabe as "an affliction on the people of Zimbabwe."

"It is reprehensible that Robert Mugabe enjoys the same honor our university bestowed upon luminaries such as Nelson Mandela, Kofi Annan, and Toni Morrison," Murphy said.

Last year, the University of Edinburgh in Scotland rescinded an honorary degree it had awarded Mugabe, and students at Michigan State University, which awarded Mugabe a degree in 1990, have unsuccessfully pressed officials there to do the same. Michigan State has a strong exchange program with the University of Zimbabwe.