Quinnipiac President Issues Statement on Viral Video Firestorm (Updated)

Quinnipiac University President John L. Lahey has apologized for comments he made to hundreds of students at an off-campus house party in a residential neighborhood this past weekend.

In a video that went viral (below), Lahey makes light of the off-campus housing issue that has raged on in Hamden for years.

• Related: UPDATE: Hamden Officials Respond to Video of Quinnipiac President at Off-Campus Party (With Video)

Read Lahey’s full statement below:

“Last Saturday, I attended five student events on and off campus, including the Senior Awards Ceremony, the Undergraduate Awards Ceremony, a university baseball game, a student veteran organization barbecue, and on my way home in the early afternoon, at the invitation of some graduating seniors, I made a brief appearance at their off-campus house party.

“In speaking to students at the house party, and in an obvious but ill-advised attempt to be humorous with them, I unfortunately made light of what is clearly a serious matter with respect to off-campus student housing in Hamden. I deeply regret having made these remarks, for which I sincerely apologize. I have already personally conveyed this apology to Interim Mayor Jim Pascarella and renewed my commitment to work with him and town officials to resolve these longstanding student housing issues in the immediate future.”

Update:

Acting Mayor James Pascarella said he talked with Lahey over the phone Wednesday morning and “appreciated both his candor and apology and look forward to a refocused dialogue on improving Town/Gown relations and student housing concerns.”

“We are encouraged by his public statement of apology and hope that this event will serve as a catalyst toward resolving these longstanding issues,” Pascarella said.