Chicago Arts College Has Revoked Kanye West’s Honorary Degree

Ye, the artist formerly known as Kanye West has seen his honorary doctorate from the Art Institute rescinded.

Kanye West’s honorary doctorate from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago has been rescinded, and the school’s president condemned the artist’s recent antisemitic and racist statements.

The ceremonial award was given to West back in 2015 for his artistic accomplishments at the time.

In a statement released by the Art Institute School, “Ye’s actions do not align with SAIC’s mission and values, and we’ve rescinded his honorary degree,” President Elissa Tenny said in a
statement to BuzzFeed News on Thursday. Tenny described the recent comments from the rapper, who recently changed his name to Ye, as “anti-Black, antisemitic, racist, and dangerous, particularly those directed at Black and Jewish communities.”

There was a petition drive created on Change.org to have Ye's honorary degree rescinded and it received over 4,000 signatures before the school acquiesced and acted to pull the plug on West's ceremonial, honorary degree this week.