NEW HAVEN — Yale University has reached a settlement in a federal lawsuit that alleges Ivy League members’ approach to student mental health and mental health care is discriminatory, according to court documents and officials.
The plaintiffs consisted of Ellis for Rachel, Inc., an organization founded in 2021 following the suicide of new student Rachel Shaw-Rosenbaum. Hannah Neves recently graduated. and second semester fourth grader Alicia Abramson. In November 2022, Ellis, an attorney for Rachel, Neves and Abramson, filed a lawsuit against Yale University, accusing it of adopting “policies, practices and procedures that discriminate against students with mental health disorders.” . 46-page complaint filed Friday To read.
“I look forward to Yale taking the lead in proactively supporting and caring for its students over the next few years, even if lawsuits and national media attention fall short,” Abramson said in a statement. Ta. “We don’t have to fight to be treated with dignity and respect.”
Under the terms of the settlement agreement, Yale will change five policies: medical leave policy, return from medical leave policy, regular study program policy, undergraduate fee rebate policy, and admission requirements. BA or BS Degree Policy. One of the revisions includes a partial refund of tuition fees. According to the motion, the editorial text of Yale’s undergraduate fee rebate policy read, “(I)FA students are authorized to reduce to two courses 15 days prior to the term or on the 15th day of the term, and Yale University We will also collect half of the tuition fee.” “However, if the number of courses is reduced to 2 after the 15th day of the semester, the tuition fee will not be reduced.”
Monica Porter-Gilbert, attorney for plaintiffs at the Washington, D.C.-based Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law, detailed the other changes.
“Return-to-work requirements have been relaxed,” Porter-Gilbert said of policies regarding medical leave and return from medical leave. “As such, the length of leave will be determined on an individual basis, and Yale University is committed to strongly considering the views of student care providers to ensure that students can return to campus when they are ready. The requirement to work constructively while on medical leave will be removed, and students who are denied reinstatement will be provided with a written explanation and information on how to better reapply. ”
“Students on medical leave, formerly known as medical withdrawals, will be able to maintain most access to campus space and community resources,” Porter-Gilbert continued. Stated. They are eligible to participate in the Yale Health Insurance Plan for up to one year. This will support continued access to healthcare and facilitate the return of students to campus. Financial assistance may also be available for students on financial aid. likewise. “
Regarding the regular study program policy, Professor Porter Gilbert said, “Yale’s policy will be the first to offer part-time study as a reasonable accommodation for certain students with disabilities.”
Other provisions of the agreement included scheduling a meeting between Yale Dean Pericles Lewis and some of the plaintiffs so that the plaintiffs could “share their experiences and concerns,” This includes annual publication of the percentage of students who suffered physical distress. Health care and medical leave data. ”
“I am pleased with today’s results,” Lewis said in a statement provided by Yale spokeswoman Karen Peart. “Students and alumni have shared constructive ideas with Yale administrators and clinicians. I hope it will make it easier for them to take time off when the situation calls for it.” They hope so because they know they can resume their studies when they are ready. ”
Porter-Gilbert said he hopes “through this process, Yale University can lead by example.”
“Students who experienced what Yale University’s policies looked like prior to this lawsuit said the policies introduced by the settlement would have made a big difference to them,” said Porter Gilbert. said Mr. “We are very hopeful that this will be part of an ongoing change, not just for Yale, but for universities across the country.”
You can read the full text of the settlement agreement here.
