Can my school exclude me because of my bipolar disorder?

Not sure about Phila laws, but here we have something like "honest regret". Not sure for the exact term, but your actions are viewed better in the eyes of judges if you show you feel sorry for your actions, that if you are all "whatever, not my fault *insert excuse, however valid*".

Human factor will play a role in letting you back in, so you better make a good impression. And it sounds you have a lot things to smooth over.

Of course I feel the utmost remorse for my actions and am willing to do whatever it takes to rehabilitate myself.

Last semester, I due to mania, acted in ways that made others in my class feel uncomfortable and like I was not safe. It never really got beyond them contacting counselling resources in regard to them feeling I was a danger though.

I would contact a lawyer who knows the specific laws. I can imagine being in your situation and would probably feel inclined to fight if it were me. When I was encountering difficulties, someone directed me toward this:

http://www.bazelon.org/LinkClick.asp...g%3d&tabid=104

Campus Mental Health

Campus Mental Health > Policy Documents

I am sure you are Pi Puppids;

As is the case most times we are recovering from manic outrageous behaviour

Thank you, those resources seem helpful to my situation.

No, they cannot. It's a form of disability and you should get reasonable accommodations.

But the disability was linked to disruptive behaviors at the school.

I think those two don't have to be viewed as one or as connected.

They may provide you accomodation.......... but harrasment of staff and damage of property don't fall in that scope. So while they cannot kick you for being bipolar, they can kick you for your actions, especially if it happened more than once. So you better work on it from all angles. Hire lawyer/adviser and show willingness to undo the harm.

But they already decided not to discipline me for the behaviors. In lieu of going thru the student conduct system, the dean gave me an opportunity to withdraw for medical reasons and obtain treatment.

If my psychiatrist and psychotherapist conclude that I can safely resume my studies, shouldn't their professional opinion be sufficient?

well, they dont really want you back easily, do they?

What I don't get is your reluctance to do other things than counting on a shrink's note. World is not about what should be. Maybe it "should" be sufficient in some theoretical settings, but what if it's not in reality? Are you gonna throw out your future because of.... I don't even know what?

Well, what else can I do? I go to a psychiatrist monthly, and psychotherapist weekly and and bipolar support group weekly. I am gainfully employed. I am expressing remorse for my past conduct. What more do they expect?

you can offer finantial reimbursment.

You can speak to people your actions affected and try to make things right. Some things cannot be undone, but you can do a lot, I believe.

Does your bipolar group or therapist teach you how to prevent such occurences in the future? Maybe it's something you could stress in your plea. Is there a friend on the campus or trusted professor who could vow to keep eye on you for warning signs?

I can't contact the aggrieved individuals because I am barred from doing so.

Yes, I have contacted a professor at the school I have a good relationship with. She agreed to write a letter of support on my behalf to the school to supplement my petition for readmission.

that is a good step. They will trust soembody they know likely.

Retain one of those lawyers.

Just from my perspective, while they can certainly charge you for things you've done that were not legal or were otherwise against school codes, saying that they won't let you back in in the future because of the chance your disability might flare up again, that is discrimination whether you're receiving treatment or not and whether you face any charges from past incidents or not.

If they were going to punish you for your past actions then they should have done it in the first place instead of leaving the door open for you to return - and the fact that they offered a medical withdrawal proves that they recognized it as being brought on by a medical condition. That, to me, would seriously undermine any case they might bring against you. They *admitted* by that action that they know you were ill and that's where those actions came from.

I don't think you ought to have to prove anything about yourself and the treatment you're getting. The school left the door open, chose not to punish you, and admitted that your past actions were medically induced. There's no reason why they shouldn't let you back in, none at all, and I'd bet my boots you have a case to sue if they don't.

Honestly, considering everything you did, considering two members of staff have a stay against you, I am actually surpised they didn't immediately expel you from the start. My gut is that so long as there are staff members with stays against you for their safety, the university will work to protect their staff and are probably within their legal rights to do so regardless of what caused you to behave the way you did. Clearly you need to consult someone for legal advice concerning this situation. We are all guessing here, not really knowing the details and not having legal expertise.

If they allowed you to withdraw for medical reasons, i would re-read the fine print on that agreement. Esp as regards re-enrolling. If you retract your withdrawal or try to re-enroll, are you now open to discipline from them? In my experience, university lawyers dont leave a lot of loopholes.

If I try to reenroll, I am not open to discipline from them. They have dropped all charges against me.

So if they are not really going to talk to you until STARTING august 2015, then the earliest you could return to studies there would be fall 2016? Thats just a year and a half now. I guess you could be studying for your bar exams early in the meantime or something. Or some kind of studying on your own? Do you know what area of the law you want to specialize in? Or can you do teach-for-america for a year? You are young, there are all kinds of opportunities for you.

No they will be considering me in august 2015 for enrollment in fall 2015. i really want to move on with my life and not waste more time.

Did you try DR? They are lawyers and work specificly with mental illness. They would be a be able to tell you if you need a lawyer, if they could provide the help of refer you to the right place to help specifically with your case.

Second guessing what might happen isn't going to help you. It is better to have the right representation and go prepared for any questions they may have. In the mean time review your past classes so you will be up to date.

Yes, I have reached out to Disability Rights Network of PA as well as private attorneys.

I am glad you reached out to Disability Rights Network and private attorneys. It sounds like the school's administration is giving you the run around, you may need some help. Once you get registered again there are many ways you can get through school without stressing yourself out. Disability Rights Network is able to inform you. I wish you the best outcome for your situation.

Thanks for the support. I'm pleased to have a lot of supportive resources at my disposal, whether legal or otherwise. It's comforing to know that I have rights!

There must be discrimination laws that can be taken into account to assist. In the UK there are strict discrimination laws and European Law includes strict human rights legislation. Similar must exist in the US but I assume varies from state to state.