Re: Art student with Down syndrome forced to drop the class

[Guest guest]

For easy access to website mentioned:

http://www.elizaschaaf.com/

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> SOU dean reaffirms decision to drop art student with Down syndrome

> <http://www.mailtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20101122/NEWS07/11220

> 340/-1/NEWSMAP>

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> November 22, 2010

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> Southern Oregon University's dean of students has upheld her decision to

> drop a 20-year-old woman with Down syndrome from a university-level ceramics

> class.

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> Eliza Schaaf, who graduated last June from Ashland High School, received a

> certified letter Saturday from Dean of Students O' stating that

> her decision would stand. In the letter, dated Nov. 19, reiterated

> that no accommodations are available to Schaaf that would enable her

> participation without altering the coursework.

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> Schaaf, who enjoys art, enrolled in the class as a way to share the college

> experience with her friends from high school, her parents said.

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> The dean offered Schaaf the opportunity to return to the ceramics lab to

> complete her project and obtain a critique of her sculpture from the

> instructor Dec. 8 after the final day of classes Dec. 1.

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> " It's a bone, I'll give you that, but the other students, their work, will

> be gone, " said Deb , Schaaf's mother.

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> The letter was a response to an informal appeal by Schaaf and her parents to

> allow Schaaf to complete the ceramics class for which only two classes

> remain.

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> Schaaf still may file a formal grievance with university President

> Cullinan, but the family has not yet decided whether to do so, as the

> grievance likely wouldn't be resolved before the end of classes, said.

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> In October, the family submitted to a university request to change Schaaf's

> status from a nonadmitted student for credit to an audit, said. There

> was no warning that the university administration planned to remove Schaaf

> from the class, she said.

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> In the letter, O' stated that Schaaf's enrollment at SOU was a " novel

> situation " for the university.

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> " The non-admitted policy was not designed or intended to provide an avenue

> for participation to individuals who are not otherwise qualified for

> admission to SOU, " O' wrote.

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> The university's decision has spawned an outpouring of support for Schaaf,

> including petitions by her classmates, other students and community members

> urging the administration to allow her to finish the class. A Schaaf family

> friend also created a website to document Schaaf's accomplishments and her

> battle with the university: elizaschaaf.com.

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> " The university is being ridiculous over something they didn't need to be

> ridiculous about, " said. " It's painting a picture the students don't

> want, the community doesn't want. "

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> - Paris Achen

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> Peace,

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> D-B

>

> Nolan ~Age 8~ My Boy, my hero, my superman, who dreams of serving his

> country just like his dad.

>

> Phoebe ~Age 5.5~ The sparkle of my life born with Down syndrome and cystic

> fibrosis, and destined for greatness.

>

>

>

> ~~Tea Party in the Park~~

> <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/TeaPartyInThePark4Homeschool/>

>

> An open discussion homeschool group with a tea party twist

> <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/TeaPartyInThePark4Homeschool/>

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> Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase.

> - Luther King, Jr.

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