Yale sued over discriminating against students with mental health disabilities
- Lawsuit seeks to change Yale’s withdrawal policies – currently it can involuntarily withdraw students ‘quickly and with little or no notice’, complaints allege
- Students are often put in a financial emergency and those who apply for reinstatement lack institutional support, such as health insurance and housing
Current and former students of Yale University sued the education institution on Wednesday, accusing it of discriminating against students with mental health disabilities and pressuring them to withdraw.
A 41-page lawsuit was filed in the US District Court in Connecticut and primarily seeks to change Yale’s withdrawal policies, including the mandatory relinquishment of health insurance and tuition payments.
The complaint alleged that some students have been pressured to withdraw from the institution and those who sought to be reinstated were given “unreasonable burdens”.
In response to the lawsuit, Yale University spokesperson Karen Peart said the school has been working on policy changes “that are responsive to students’ emotional and financial wellbeing”.
“The university is confident that our policies comply with all applicable laws and regulations,” Peart said in a statement.
The court filing described accounts from two current students, three former students, and Elis for Rachael – an alumni group founded in 2021 to help Yale students who are struggling with their mental health.