Pflepsen v. University of Osteopathic Medicine

HARRIS, Justice.

This dispute stems from plaintiffs dismissal while a fourth-year podiatry student. He seeks readmission and compensatory damages. The district court found the dismissal was improper but declined to order reinstatement. Rather the court ordered, as damages, reimbursement of plaintiffs tuition and fees. We find the dismissal was authorized and thus affirm the refusal to reinstate the student. We reverse the damage award.

A key question in most challenges to a student’s dismissal is whether it was for academic reasons. If it was, as will be seen, courts are loath to interfere.…