That's horrible!

I just got into college, and I had made it damn clear on my application that I have schizophrenia. But if anything, I think that piece of information was going in my favor -- colleges are impressed when students overcome challenges.

Anyway, it would be pretty remarkable to me if something happened down the road and I needed more help -- pretty remarkable if the university were to then say "Sorry, kid. What got you in is now what's going to throw you out."

I'd sue too.

I find this an outrage myself, and cannot believe the college in question reacted that way, and hope others dont follow there discriminatory actions. My oldest daughter attending out of state University has had go above and beyond the call of duty to help her deal with her little sister being far away and in a pscyh hospital, they have given her counselors, psychiatrists , walked into class with her to speak to Professors, and then supported her with enormous services when she herself this last Fall OD'd on some meds. No one asked her to leave the University, they asked her what the University can do for her. I hope this story is the only one we ever read about. The American Disabilities Act is a real thing, discrimination is a real thing, I would be in court and on the news faster than I could say the words. At Western University in Bellingham, one student I know gets to log on to sign up for classes early because she has ADD, and needs extra time. I truly think most places accomodate and recognize the need to do so. The admin at GWU will probably be singing another tune pretty darn fast.

http://www.bazelon.org/newsroom/2006/8-23-06-hunter-settlement.html

Hunter College Settles Lawsuit by Student Barred from Dorm after Treatment for Depression

August 23, 2006

August 23, 2006 ―

"The Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law and the New York City law firm of Goldfarb Abrandt Salzman & Kutzin, LLP announced today that the City University of New York (CUNY) has agreed to pay $65,000 to settle a lawsuit brought by a student who had been barred from her dormitory room at Hunter College because she was hospitalized after a suicide attempt. Federal district court Judge Sidney Stein approved the agreement on Monday.

...“We’re pleased that Jane has been compensated for the college’s discriminatory treatment based on the stigma attached to a mental illness,” said David Goldfarb, one of the law firm’s attorneys representing her.

...The Bazelon Center also represents Jordan Nott, a former student from George Washington University, in a case that is headed for trial, seeking both damages and reform of the university’s policy of expelling students who express suicidal thoughts."