QUINNIPIAC SETTLES ADA SUIT – ADA TRAINING REQUIRED + $32,000

Quinnipiac University has settled allegations it violated the ADA when it placed a student on a mandatory medical leave after she was diagnosed with depression. The school agreed to pay off the former student’s tuition loan, as well as issue her a payment for emotional distress, pain and suffering announced the U.S. Attorney for the District of Connecticut on 1/12/2015, as well as formation of the Educational Opportunities Civil Rights Working Group. The Group will “address civil rights violations by public and private educational institutions, after-school programs, summer camps and day care centers,” according to the U.S. Attorney Daly’s office.

“Quinnipiac University discriminated against the complainant by placing her on mandatory medical leave because of her depression, denying her the opportunity to participate in or benefit from the goods, services, facilities, privileges, advantages or accommodations of Quinnipiac University on the basis of disability,”according to the settlement agreement. “Specifically, Quinnipiac University failed to consider modifying its mandatory medical leave policy to permit the complainant to complete her course work while living off campus either online or in person.”Within 30 days, the university must draft a non-discrimination policy stating that it does not discriminate against students on the basis of mental health issues, and within four months it must conduct training sessions with staff on mental health discrimination policies under the ADA. It also must, within 30 days, pay off the student’s $15,126.42 student loan and pay $17,000 to the student “to compensate her for the harm she has endured.”