Board of Trustees of Howard University, a historically black university in Washington, D.C., moves to strip Sean “Deedee” Combs of his honorary degree
Earlier, CNN released a CCTV video of the hip-hop producer beating his ex-girlfriend in a hotel corridor.
The university said in a statement Friday that his “conduct captured in the recently released video is fundamentally incompatible with Howard University’s core values and beliefs, and as a result he is no longer deemed worthy of receiving the institution’s highest honor.”
The rapper apologized for an attack on singer Cassandra “Cassie” Ventura after the video was released last month.
“I felt sick when I did this. I feel sick now,” Combs said in the statement.
“I went to seek professional help. I started going to therapy, recovery. I had to pray for God’s mercy and grace. I’m so sorry.”
Howard University awarded Mr. Combs a degree in 2014.
The deal is part of a $1 million (£785,000) donation from his foundation.
The Sean Combs Foundation did not respond to a request for comment.
The university’s statement said Mr Coombs’ name would be removed from all documents listing honorary degree recipients.
“The school firmly opposes all forms of interpersonal violence,” the statement read.
Four women, including his former long-term partner Ms. Ventura, have filed lawsuits against the musician, accusing him of sexual and physical abuse.
Ms. Ventura’s lawsuit was settled in November, and Mr. Combs denied all sexual assault allegations.
In a statement issued in December, Mr Coombs defended himself against what he said were “disgusting accusations” made by “individuals looking for a quick payday”.
“Let me be absolutely clear: I did not do any of the horrific things that I am accused of,” he said, adding that he would work to clear his name.
In March, federal agents raided two homes owned by the star “as part of an ongoing sex trafficking investigation.”
His lawyer called the action an “unprecedented ambush” and a “gross excessive use of military force” and insisted his client was innocent.
