"Several people e-mailed me that it will be a disgrace to have the Papitto name on their resumes and their diplomas," said student leader Matt Jerzyk in an e-mailed statement.
Roberts also has called for Papitto's name to be removed from the law school.
Logan plans to present the board with a petition from law students demanding that the school's name be changed, said university spokeswoman Judi Johnson.
Papitto said his decision to step down from the board was based on his age and his desire to spend more time with his family. He denied a newspaper report that he was forced out over the racial epithet.
Three board members, including Roberts, said they were ousted after calling for Papitto's resignation after the incident.
A man who answered the phone at Papitto's home hung up on an Associated Press reporter Monday.
Roger Williams University, in Bristol, has about 3,800
undergraduate students. The law school opened in 1993 and was renamed in 1996
for Papitto, the founder of the Fortune 500 company Nortek Inc.
© Copyright 2005 by DiverseEducation.com
