The president of Quinnipiac University is apologizing after he was caught on camera, partying with students off campus over the weekend.
The video of Quinnipiac University President John L. Lahey grabbing a microphone and speaking to guests at a party on Delsole Road has gone viral.
"I outlawed May Weekend 15 years ago," Lahey is seen shouting to revelers on Delsole Road. "But apparently the message hasn't gotten out."
This prompted a flurry of emails to Acting Hamden Mayor James Pascarella from residents wondering what the university president was doing.
Pascarella said citizens were concerned because parties such as these have strained the university's relationship with the community in the past.
Lahey said in a statement that he attended five student events last Saturday and went to the party at the invitation of some graduating seniors.
"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," Lahey said.
"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," he added.
The hosts said they were not involved in contacting the university president and asking him to come.
“It was just something that kind of happened and he ended up in our back yard,” said Rich Borek.
Nearby residents said they were concerned and embarrassed about Lahey going to the party.
When NBC Connecticut reached out to the university earlier this week, the school released a short statement saying, "We have a university president who likes and understands young people."
Pascarella responded to the president's apology by thanking him and saying he wants to continue working together with the university.
"This morning I received a phone call from President John Lahey of Quinnipiac University. I appreciated both his candor and apology and look forward to a refocused dialogue on improving Town/Gown relations and student housing concerns," he said in a statement late Wednesday afternoon. "We are encouraged by his public statement of apology and hope that this even will serve as a catalyst toward resolving these longstanding issues."
No injuries or arrests were reported in connection with the party.
