A group called Elis for Rachael and two students sued Yale, accusing it of discriminating against students with mental health problems.
The lawsuit, which also names Yale University President Peter Sarovay and Yale University as plaintiffs, has been “for decades. [Yale defendants] It treated students with mental disorders unfairly and failed to respond,” he said, refusing to change the policy.
It said that its “expulsion policies and practices expel mentally ill students from Yale University, impose punitive consequences on expelled students, and impose an undue burden on students seeking reinstatement after expulsion.” says.
It also accuses Yale University of requiring full-time attendance from students, “making it unreasonably difficult to ensure accessibility for people with disabilities in classes and housing.”
These practices are particularly harsh for underprivileged students who need mental health care but cannot continue to have health insurance coverage when they drop out, the lawsuit argues.
A November 11 Washington Post article explained that Alaska freshman Rachel Shaw Rosenbaum committed suicide because of the consequences she would face if she dropped out of school.
According to the complaint, “Yale University’s withdrawal policy provides for involuntary withdrawal for disability-related symptoms, including threats to self.” “It does not offer respect for the treatment professionals or consideration of whether withdrawal will cause harm.”
Students were said to have been pressured into taking “voluntary” leave. According to the complaint, the two students were told that Yale would be held responsible if they did not decline.
In addition to its post-expulsion readmission policy, “Yale University does not allow expelled students to visit campus, including those who have been expelled because of a mental disorder, and all campus activities, as well as non-student activities such as summer classes. It prohibits activities that are open to the public,” the lawsuit states.
Students on leave of absence are not prohibited, it says.
The lawsuit further alleges that students who withdraw after the first 15 days of the semester may remain on student health insurance for only 30 days, and students on leave may stay on the plan. Those who do will have their health insurance terminated retroactively, the lawsuit says.
Students who withdraw will also have their tuition, room and board forfeited and will be charged a daily allowance for 48 hours from the time they are notified of their withdrawal until they are required to leave campus. Then a semester or she has to leave Yale for two semesters.
Students on leave of absence are not subject to the same restrictions.
Reinstatement was a “difficult” process, according to the lawsuit, requiring applications, personal statements, letters of support, evidence that students were “constructively occupied” during their expulsion, and possibly completing coursework. indicates
There are two periods when you can return to work. According to the complaint, the student may not drop the course in her next two semesters or have to reapply.
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Yale University spokeswoman Karen Peart released a statement, saying, “Yale faculty, staff, and leaders care deeply about our students. , we recognize how painful and difficult it can be for students and their loved ones.
“When we make decisions and set policies, our main focus is the safety and health of our students, especially when they are most vulnerable,” she said. , believes in creating and maintaining strong and enlightened support structures for students, and often the safest plans involve students’ parents and families.”
Pert said Yale University is taking steps to simplify student returns, provide support and increase resources.
“The university is confident that our policies comply with all applicable laws and regulations,” she wrote. We have been working on policy changes to address public well-being.”
The lawsuit aims to become a class action lawsuit. Yale University alleges that it has violated the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Rehabilitation Act, the Fair Housing Act, and the Affordable Care Act.
The Luderman Foundation’s white paper on mental health “exposed failures and discriminatory practices in mental health policies at all eight Ivy League colleges.” The author gave Yale an F rating for him, but no Ivy League school gave him a higher grade than a D+.
Contact Ed Stannard at: estanard@courant.com.
