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July 18, 2007

Minority caucus: Take Papitto's name off law school

PROVIDENCE – The Rhode Island Minority Leadership/Legislative Caucus today condemned former Roger Williams University Board of Trustees Chairman Ralph R. Papitto’s use of a racial slur during a recent trustees meeting.

The caucus called on the university to distance itself from Papitto and make diversity on its board the top priority. The caucus is also calling on the university to remove Papitto’s name from its law school and to reinstate the three now-ousted board members who asked Papitto to step down. The leaders want a reconfiguration of the board of trustees that would reflect more diversity.

Speaking inside the State House in front of the bust of Martin Luther King Jr., caucus chairman Rep. Joseph S. Almeida asked Roger Williams University President Roy Nirschel to be more outspoken about the issue and the importance of diversity on the board.

About 40 people attended, including members of the legislative caucus, various minority groups and NAACP President Clifford R. Montiero. Montiero said if Papitto wants to do something great, he ought to fund an annual diversity program at the school.

-- Journal staff writer Tom Mooney

Posted by Kate Bramson  at 11:54 AM | Permalink

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Posted by: law at July 18, 2007 12:01 PM

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