Freshman sues University for extra time during exams

Diane Metcalf-Leggette '13, a learning-disabled student from Virginia, is suing Princeton for refusing her extra time to take her midterm exams, The New Jersey Law Journal reported today.After failing to reach an accommodation with University officials over a series of meetings, Metcalf-Leggette sued the school on Monday.But Metcalf-Leggette faced a hiccup in her suit when U.S. District Judge Anne Thompson in Trenton refused her a temporary restraining order just before midterms this week.Metcalf-Leggette may have more success now in suing under the Americans with Disabilities Act, and could pursue a preliminary injunction before finals in January.Her brother, David Metcalf '08, also had learning disabilities and was granted 100 percent extended time during his exams at Princeton.During a meeting with university attorney Hannah Ross on September 19, the student's court filings say, Ross told Metcalf-Leggette that granting extra exam time would undermine the deadline-oriented aspect, and indeed the "essence," of a Princeton education.Metcalf-Leggete, who is on the women's soccer team, claims in the suit to have: Mixed-reception-expressive language disorder, disorder of written expression, developmental coordination disorder, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).As a result, Princeton granted Metcalf-Leggette the right to a 10-minute break every hour during her exams, and a one-exam-per-day limit.University attorneys are citing two other Princeton-related legal decisions to support their case. Connell v. Princeton (2001) upheld the University's decision to refuse readmission to a student who alleged discrimination based on disability after he was dismissed for academic reasons. In Zakharia v. Princeton (1999), the court denied a student a temporary injunction after the University handed down a suspension.Princeton says they don't comment on ongoing legislation.