A former St. Thomas University student has filed a human rights complaint against the university. Stacey Dawe feels she was unfairly suspended from classes because she’s autistic and the behavior she exhibited because of her disability.
“There is investigation/complaint/hearing before the Human Rights Commission and that process is confidential,” wrote Jeffrey Carleton, director of communications at St. Thomas University, in an email.
Dawe spent three semesters at St. Thomas, beginning in the fall of 2013, and lived in Harrington Hall. She began experiencing backlash from Residence Life because of her behaviour. Dawe said she had a series of warnings and fines, sources say because of noise violations. But things worsened when she came back after the winter break.
“When I was heading back to Fredericton they basically told me they were kicking me out of residence because of an incident that happened a month (earlier),” said the 24 year old.
She was allowed to stay in residence after signing an agreement. Dawe contends she never signed the document, but because of the confidentiality of the case, the university could not confirm or deny. She says five weeks before the end of the school year, she was asked to leave the residence.
Dawe was still allowed to attend classes, so she finished up the year. The following semester relations got rocky again, said Dawe.
“I was in class talking on the phone too loudly and I was told I was suspended indefinitely from the school,” said Dawe.
Earlier this year, a complaint was filed to the New Brunswick Human Rights Commission, but both the Commission and the Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour Access and Privacy office told The Aquinian that access to the documents is a private matter. The Human Rights Commission said in an email they could not confirm or deny the case until it reached the Board of Inquiry. The Inquiry is the last stage of the process. Before a case is heard in the Board of Inquiry a series of investigation and mediation happens between both parties.
“I really liked STU and I wanted to be around for a long time. I think they have a unique teaching style,” said Dawe.
Now attending Memorial University, she says she still has problems because of behaviour. But Dawe is pleased with the Newfoundland university’s appeal process, something she thinks St. Thomas lacks. She’s attending primary and elementary education at the school. Dawe also said she’s educating people about autism and the challenges autistic students face in the classroom.
She said she still likes St. Thomas but thinks the school could do a better job working with those with disabilities.
“They should be doing more to be inclusive.”
