Columbia Student Claims Was Sent to Psych Ward for Swearing at Professor
Here’s a reminder to be careful not to lose your temper in the classroom. Still, who knew professors had this kind of power?
Neal Colgrass of Newser reports.
Student: I Was Hospitalized for Calling My Prof a Bitch
A student is suing Columbia University after he was hospitalized against his will for 30 days—apparently for cussing out his Spanish professor, the Columbia Spectator reports. In his lawsuit, Oren Ungerleider admits to calling his professor a bitch in front of the class over a low grade. But he got the surprise of his life at 12:30am when the school’s associate dean sent officials into his locked dorm room. The Columbia-Juilliard student refused to cooperate, and soon NYPD officers carted him off to St. Luke’s hospital, according to the claim.
The lawsuit says Ungerleider refused to answer psychiatrists’ questions and tried to leave, but doctors forcibly injected him with Haldol. He requested his release several times, but a doctor said he had “grandiose and paranoid delusions” and a confused thought process. Even a court date to challenge his hospitalization failed to result in his release. Finally let out in January of 2011, he took time off from school and ended up at Ohio State University—but says he lost all desire to pursue his budding career as a violinist, or even play. His $10 million lawsuit also names Continuum Health Partners as a defendant.