Entitled Hamster sues university: I wasn't "accommodated" before failing course
05-13-2015, 01:00 PM
DALLAS TOWNSHIP — A nursing student is suing some Misericordia University officials after she failed to pass a course twice.
Jennifer Burbella of Stroudsburg said school officials failed to abide by federal law.
Burbella was enrolled at Misericordia University in Luzerne County, but her attorney said because of disabilities including anxiety, depression, and stress, she needed help.
![[Image: seh6p.gif]](http://i.imgur.com/seh6p.gif)
Harry McGrath specializes in education law, representing students, families, teachers, and administrators.
“She has some disabilities and under section 504 of The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1973, you can make certain accommodations, not only in educational setting, but in the workplace, et cetera,” he said.
According to the federal lawsuit, Burbella asked for help including extended time to complete exams, and communication with a professor during a test.
She said Misericordia officials did not follow through on those things, so she failed to pass the required course, not once, but twice.
At one point, according to the lawsuit, Burbella tried to call her professor during the examination. When that professor did not answer, a witness saw Burbella “…on several occasions during the exam…breaking down and crying.”
Picture of her during exam:
![[Image: c3d4918220b8b60fd9a617bae2017aa1e0eaff2d...4550bd.jpg]](http://www.quickmeme.com/img/c3/c3d4918220b8b60fd9a617bae2017aa1e0eaff2de0d161b58977f961ef4550bd.jpg)
Misericordia University officials told Newswatch 16, “We do not comment on matters of litigation,” but others are talking about it.
“I think that it’s very important that people get accommodations when they need them, so I think that’s where my mind went first,” said Michelle Berley of Shavertown.
“If you’re going into a medical program that if you need that certain kind of time, my opinion is maybe it’s not for you. I’m doing physical therapy here and I feel like I want to be the best and I want to know that I’m able to do what I need to do in the time frame to be done. That’s how I feel about it,” said Misericordia University student Kevin Collins.
Burbella’s attorney said his client’s disabilities should not keep her from being a nurse.
“I think many people suffer from anxiety, depression, and those types of things who are doctors, lawyers, nurses,” said McGrath.
According to the lawsuit, Burbella is seeking in excess of $75,000 in damages, but her attorney said what she wants more than anything is a chance to take the exam again.
READ: It's not about the money I swear !
“She’s not looking for the university to ordain that she get this degree, she’s looking for a fair opportunity, which the statute provides, to take the exam. If she fails it that’s her own problem and she has to deal with it,” said McGrath.
Burbella is no longer a student at Misericordia University.
![[Image: lolwtf.gif]](https://rooshvforum.network/images/smilies/new/lolwtf.gif)
Comments on FB are gold:
And of course the most important question, would you ?
![[Image: b8.jpg]](http://scallywagandvagabond.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/b8.jpg)
Jennifer Burbella of Stroudsburg said school officials failed to abide by federal law.
Burbella was enrolled at Misericordia University in Luzerne County, but her attorney said because of disabilities including anxiety, depression, and stress, she needed help.
Harry McGrath specializes in education law, representing students, families, teachers, and administrators.
“She has some disabilities and under section 504 of The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1973, you can make certain accommodations, not only in educational setting, but in the workplace, et cetera,” he said.
According to the federal lawsuit, Burbella asked for help including extended time to complete exams, and communication with a professor during a test.
She said Misericordia officials did not follow through on those things, so she failed to pass the required course, not once, but twice.
At one point, according to the lawsuit, Burbella tried to call her professor during the examination. When that professor did not answer, a witness saw Burbella “…on several occasions during the exam…breaking down and crying.”
Picture of her during exam:
Misericordia University officials told Newswatch 16, “We do not comment on matters of litigation,” but others are talking about it.
“I think that it’s very important that people get accommodations when they need them, so I think that’s where my mind went first,” said Michelle Berley of Shavertown.
“If you’re going into a medical program that if you need that certain kind of time, my opinion is maybe it’s not for you. I’m doing physical therapy here and I feel like I want to be the best and I want to know that I’m able to do what I need to do in the time frame to be done. That’s how I feel about it,” said Misericordia University student Kevin Collins.
Burbella’s attorney said his client’s disabilities should not keep her from being a nurse.
“I think many people suffer from anxiety, depression, and those types of things who are doctors, lawyers, nurses,” said McGrath.
According to the lawsuit, Burbella is seeking in excess of $75,000 in damages, but her attorney said what she wants more than anything is a chance to take the exam again.
READ: It's not about the money I swear !
“She’s not looking for the university to ordain that she get this degree, she’s looking for a fair opportunity, which the statute provides, to take the exam. If she fails it that’s her own problem and she has to deal with it,” said McGrath.
Burbella is no longer a student at Misericordia University.
Comments on FB are gold:
Quote:Quote:
If you can’t handle the anxiety of a test….how you can possibly handle the stress of a patient in dire need of medical attention? This is a joke, the college can’t let someone slide by in a profession where lives are at stake. People with disabilities always ask NOT to be treated differently than others. This should be no different.
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She wants to be in one of the most stressful careers out there, yet can’t pass the program and feels entitled to special considerations for… wait for it… anxiety and stress. And now she’s suing because she failed. There has to be a punch line here somewhere. If she was going for her degree in basket weaving, I can understand some considerations for her “disability”… but nursing? Not a chance. Does she expect her patients to give her special considerations to make her job less stressful and let her take more time to provide treatment?
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Another spoiled little princess. I have seen kids like this way too often. Mommy and Daddy over-indulge their little princess and give her a pass every time she fails to do her chores etc. She has no coping skills for the real world. What are you going to do when you finally get a job, any job, and your boss is reprimanding you because you messed up? Are you going to call daddy and have him fix it for you sunshine? This is way too pervasive in our society!
And of course the most important question, would you ?