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<\/div>\nYale University and a student group announced Friday that they\u2019ve reached a settlement in a federal lawsuit that accused the Ivy League school of discriminating against students with mental health disabilities, including pressuring them to withdraw.<\/p>\n
Under the agreement, Yale will modify its policies regarding medical leaves of absence, including streamlining the reinstatement process for students who return to campus. The student group, which also represents alumni, had argued the process was onerous, discouraging students for decades from taking medical leave when they needed it most.<\/p>\n
The settlement is a \u201cwatershed moment\u201d for the university and mental health patients, said 2019 graduate Rishi Mirchandani, a co-founder of Elis for Rachael, the group that sued. It was formed to help students with mental health issues in honor of a Yale student who took her own life.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis historic settlement affirms that students with mental health needs truly belong,\u201d Mirchandani said.<\/p>\n
A joint statement from Elis for Rachael and Yale, released on Friday, confirmed the agreement \u201cto resolve a lawsuit filed last November in federal district court related to policies and practices impacting students with mental health disabilities.\u201d<\/p>\n
Under the agreement, Yale will allow students to study part-time if they have urgent medical needs. Elis for Rachael said it marks the first time the university has offered such an option. Students granted the accommodation at the beginning of a new term will receive a 50% reduction in tuition.<\/p>\n
\u201cAlthough Yale describes the circumstances for this accommodation as \u2018rare,\u2019 this change still represents a consequential departure from the traditional all- or-nothing attitude towards participation in academic life at Yale,\u201d the group said in a statement.<\/p>\n
The dean of Yale College, Pericles Lewis, said he was \u201cpleased with today\u2019s outcome.\u201d<\/p>\n
He said \u201cconstructive ideas\u201d had emerged from students and alumni, saying in a statement that he hopes the changes \u201cwill make it easier for students to ask for support, focus on their health and wellbeing, and take time off if they wish, knowing that they can resume their studies when they are ready.\u201d<\/p>\n
In a November letter to alumni responding to a Washington Post article about student mental health and Yale\u2019s withdrawal and readmission policies, President Peter Salovey said colleges and universities in the last few years have seen a surge in demand for mental health services that was exacerbated by the pandemic. He said Yale stopped requiring withdrawn students to take two courses at another school before they could seek readmission.<\/p>\n
But the plaintiffs argued much more was needed, including a more individualized process for students. Under the agreement, the length of a student`s leave would be \u201cbased on a clinical assessment. Students may remain on a medical leave of absence for as long as they wish.\u201d<\/p>\n
Photo: A woman walks by a Yale sign reflected in the rainwater on the Yale University campus. Yale University and a student group that accused the Ivy League school in 2022 of discriminating against students with mental health disabilities, including pressuring them to withdraw, announced the two sides have reached an agreement to settle the students\u2019 federal lawsuit. (AP Photo\/Ted Shaffrey, File)<\/em><\/p>\n Topics<\/span> Lawsuits<\/a> <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Was this article valuable?<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n