HARRISBURG — The two highest-ranking leaders on Penn State University’s board said Thursday a fellow trustee should immediately step down over comments aimed at people he described as “so-called victims” of Jerry Sandusky.

“We strongly condemn them,” Chairman Ira Lubert and Vice Chairman Mark Dambly said in a statement sent to reporters by the university’s office of strategic communications. “Members of this board must hold themselves to a higher standard and represent our university with respect for all.”

Lord’s remarks were sent to The Chronicle of Higher Education shortly after former university president Graham Spanier’s trial ended with a misdemeanor conviction last month.

Lord is part of a bloc of nine alumni-elected trustees who have clashed with the board majority over the university’s response to the Sandusky scandal. Sandusky’s arrest and 2012 conviction for 45 counts of child sexual abuse has divided the university community.

“Once again, we have a group of trustees stomping on our freedom of speech rights,” said alumni-elected trustee Anthony Lubrano, a Lord ally. “Al Lord made a comment that was very personal, well within his right. And I think Al should stay on the board until the conclusion of his term.”

Lord, a retired bank executive, announced Wednesday’ he was no longer seeking a second term on the Penn State board.