Shih Hsin University President Chen Ching-he (陳清河) yesterday issued a public apology for comments made in his commencement speech last week, stating that he has asked the school to suspend his duties and halt his wages for two months as a show of contrition.
At the commencement ceremony on May 30, Chen said, “If you don’t manage your time well, or your own emotions, or your health, then I am telling every one of you — put a quick end to ‘you,’ because the world has no need for ‘you.’”
The comments have sparked significant controversy online, and Chen through an open statement yesterday said his commencement speech had not been thoroughly proofread due to scheduling issues and that it did not appropriately convey his original intent.
Photo: Screengrab from Shih Hsin University’s YouTube channel
He said the message was intended to encourage graduates to develop maturity, good judgement and a positive approach to dealing with others, rather than to promote the controversial views on life and death that some critics have accused him of.
Chen, in the statement, apologized for the disruption and concern his remarks had caused to the public, alumni, faculty, staff, students and the institution. To assume responsibility, he said he had requested a two-month unpaid leave of absence, effective from Monday next week, the statement said.
He also pledged to conduct a thorough self-review and to be more careful with his comments in the future.
The school said yesterday that they respected Chen’s decision and apologized for the incident that had garnered public attention.
Starting on Monday next week, vice president Lin Heng-chi (林恒志) would serve as acting president, and the school would continue to operate as usual, it said.
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