PITTSBURGH — A former student is suing Slippery Rock University, citing alleged failure to uphold Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) regulations, retaliation, violation of procedural due process rights, and violation of civil rights.
Olenka Miroslavna-Stefaniyuk filed a complaint on July 24, in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania, against Slippery Rock University, alleging that the academic institution breached its duty of good faith and fair dealings.
The plaintiff alleges that she experienced irreparable harm and will continue to experience harm, including missed professional opportunity and inability to pay school loans and boarding, as a result of the malicious conduct of the defendant by dismissing her from the Physician Assistant Program by giving her a zero or failed grade in Behavioral Medicine Clerkship as retaliation for reporting concerns about the treatment of a young male patient with autism during a clinical rotation at Wellington Retreat, a residential treatment center for persons with mental health issues in Florida.
The plaintiff holds Slippery Rock University responsible because the defendant allegedly failed to provide plaintiff's right to due process, prevented plaintiff from completing her requirements due to unlawful suspension, deprived the opportunity to remediate her grade, and retaliated against plaintiff for her advocacy against disability discrimination.
The plaintiff requests a trial by jury and seeks judgment against defendant, reverse decision to dismiss plaintiff, declaratory and injunctive relief, award attorney's fees, compensatory damages, and further relief as may be appropriate. She is represented by Jennifer Modell of Ruder Law in Pittsburgh.
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania Case number 18-cv-966