Purdue University said Thursday its Board of Trustees had formally reprimanded the top official of its northwestern Indiana campuses over his mocking of Asian languages during a recent commencement ceremony.
The faculty senate of Purdue University Northwest has demanded the resignation of Chancellor Thomas Keon despite his apology over his impression of a fake Asian-sounding language during the Dec. 10 event.
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The university’s statement released Thursday called Keon’s action an "offhand attempt at humor" that was "extremely offensive and insensitive." The statement said while the "offensive remark does not reflect a pattern of behavior or a system of beliefs held by Dr. Keon, the Board has made clear to him that a repeat incident of a similar nature would provide grounds for further Board action, including possible dismissal."
Faculty senate Chairman Thomas Roach said 87% of faculty members who responded to a poll this week voted no-confidence in Keon and questioned why Purdue officials were supporting him.
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"No university faculty should be represented by somebody that they don’t accept," Roach said.
Purdue Northwest has about 9,000 students at campuses in Hammond and Westville.
