From: Majessire Smith, President of MCLSA and Matt Jerzyk, President of ACS
To: RWU School of Law Community
Date: July 16, 2007
Subject: The Name of our Law School

Chairman of the RWU Board of Trustees, Ralph R. Pappito, recently used the "N" word at a trustees meeting.  Sadly, he used the word during a discussion of the need to diversify the board. This is one more incident in what seems to have become an epidemic of racist and bigoted speech. In light of his comments reported in the Providence Journal (see article below) and the chairman's admission of his actions on WPRO 630am this morning (John DePetro show), we are demanding that the name of Ralph R. Papitto be removed from the official name of the law school at Roger Williams University. 

We should be proud of the name of our school. Instead, we are now reminded daily of a man whose repulsion of diversity is shameful.  We are sure that many of you have received the same phone calls from family, friends and colleagues who heard the news and are asking, “What kind of school do you go to?”  The only proper response to that question is swift action to assert that our law school does not condone racism or bigotry and that we will fight for a fair and just learning environment for students from all backgrounds. 

 **We are asking students and faculty to email us their names and affiliations/year of graduation BY 2PM TODAY for a petition (whose text will be the first two paragraphs above) that will be attached to a press release. **   

Additionally, we have started a Facebook group demanding the name change.  Please sign up at this link: http://rwu.facebook.com/group.php?gid=3333070715&ref=nf

The bottom line is this: as a legal community we have an opportunity to use our power to stand on the right side of history.  We cannot get caught on the sidelines.  As Holocaust survivor Elie Wiesel has famously said, “Take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim.”

There is background information below for anyone not already aware of this incident: 

Providence Journal Front Page story:
http://www.projo.com/news/content/RWU_PAPITTO_07-14-07_9C6C1A6.34c7fd2.html

RI Future Blog Story & Commentary:
http://rifuture.org/blog/2007/07/15/papitto-whistleblowers-punished/

Dr. Barbara Roberts' statement demanding Papitto resign:
http://www.projo.com/pdf/2007/07/statement.pdf

Thank you,

Majessire Smith, MCLSA President & Matt Jerzyk, ACS President

Editor's note: MCLSA stands for Multi-cultural Law Student Association and ACS stands for American Constitution Society