Ralph R. Papitto, the former Roger Williams University Board of Trustees chairman who used a racial slur at a board meeting, issued a statement today apologizing and saying he has asked the Board of Trustees to remove his name from the university's law school.

About two hours later, the current board chairman took Papitto up on his offer, while noting that there is a "measure of sadness" to the end of Papitto's long association with the university.

Papitto, 80, the board's chairman for 20 years, who has given $2.8 million to the school over the years, stepped down July 9, citing his age and desire to spend more time with his family. On Saturday, The Journal reported that Papitto had been forced off the board after using a racial slur during a May 2 meeting while discussing the need to add more women and minorities to the board. (Of the board's 16 members, 14 were white men.)

A group of 179 law students, a Roger Williams University professor and, today, the Rhode Island Minority Leadership/Legislative Caucus, all asked that Papitto's name be removed from the university's law school -- the state's only law school.

"I deeply regret the pain that this remark has caused those in the African American community and other minorities," Papitto said in his statement today. "This remark in no way reflects my deep respect for the African American community and for the many contributions African Americans have made to our society."

Papitto himself did not attend the press conference called for the purpose of delivering the statement. Instead, it was read by a spokesman, Mike Trainor. Papitto's lawyer, Joseph Cavanagh, also attended on Papitto's behalf.

Trainor explained that Papitto is still in recovery from quadruple bypass surgery and is not able to take part in "very stressful situations."

In his statement, Papitto says, "A continued public discussion and debate over the name of the law school serves only to further damage the university. Therefore, and as a reflection of the sincerity of my regret and of my deep commitment to Roger Williams University, I have today asked the Board of Trustees to remove my name from the law school."

Papitto's statement also says: "I also wish to state that this is a truly isolated incident. I flatly repudiate allegations that this sort of comment in any way characterizes my conversational traits or behavior."

He added that over the past several days, "I have done much soul searching and reflection. As I have indicated repeatedly, I take full responsibility for this matter and ask for understanding from the community."

Later this afternoon, the current Board of Trustees chairman said he "accepts" Papitto's request that Papitto's name be removed from the university's law school.

“On behalf of the board of trustees and the university administration, I accept Mr. Papitto’s request that we remove his name from the University’s law school," said Richard Bready, who recently replaced Papitto as board chairman, said in a statement.

"While we are deeply grateful that Mr. Papitto has chosen a course of action that is unquestionably in the best interest of the school and its community of faculty, students and alumni, there exists a measure of sadness that his long association with the school comes to this end," Bready added.

Papitto "has served this university for nearly 35 years and has helped to position Roger Williams to be the outstanding institution for higher education that it is today," Bready said. "We specifically appreciate his efforts to amend relations with the minority community.

Bready stated that the new board of trustees will continue to move forward with its plans to ensure a more diverse board and will shortly adopt new by-laws that provide greater transparency of board activities.”

-- projo.com staff writer Michael McKinney, with reports and audio from Journal staff writer Jennifer Jordan