A former Central Michigan University student is suing the university.
Ihab Hassan, who is disabled, was apart of the physician assistant program at CMU.
In court records filed by his attorney, he claims that in September 2022, he filed for disability accommodations with the university on a yearly basis until his final renewal in September 2024.
Hassan alleges that in July 2023, he failed an exam due to his disability, but was not given the opportunity to re-take this exam as outlined in the physician assistant program's policy handbook.
Debra Kimball Christie, who is named in the lawsuit, was the program director of CMU's PA program at the time, and Hassan claims that he was humiliated by her leading up to and on the day of the exam.
He allegedly was told that he could choose the day and time of his make-up exam, but Hassan says that Kimball forced him to sit for the exam when she was available. Once he got to the exam, he claims that Kimball held him for an hour after the start time without explanation.
Hassan says he faced emotional distress due to the delay and it resulted in intense anxiety. The suit claims that when Kimball addressed him, she stated that she was making the exam on the spot instead of using his missed exam questions. Hassan claims that this exam violates CMU's policies.
He allegedly was able to convince Kimball to review the university's policies and let him re-take the current exam. Once Hassan finished the exam he was allegedly accused of cheating. He claims that he explained to Kimball that he studied for the exam and did not cheat.
Court records say that Kimball told Hassan that she "doubted" that he would become a PA one day. Once it was time for Hassan to start his clinical field work, he claims that he was suspended for six months due to him failing his exam due to his disability.
He claims that after the suspension he had forgotten how to use a required clinical software. But he says once he asked for assistance, it was denied.
Hassan allegedly asked for support on the software to make sure he was meeting standards. He claims that received passing grades and completed various rotations.
He says that he did not received any feedback until September 23, 2024 and claims he was informed that he was being dismissed from the program due to policy violations. Allegedly no violations were brought to his attention.
Hassan claims on the same day he was informed that the process to dismiss him from the university, as a whole, had started.
He then submitted an appeal to his dismissed to the Dean's Office, headed by Paula Lancaster. Hassan claims that his appeal was denied.
Hassan says that between October 2024 and February 2025, he tried to meet with various CMU representatives but was ultimately denied.
His case was filed in Michigan's federal eastern district court. No court dates have been set at this time.
According to the Michigan Court of Claims on Dec. 29, Hassan was ordered to show cause to prove against lack of claim or the matter will be dismissed.
In a statement, a CMU spokesperson said the university doesn't comment on pending litigation.
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