UPDATE

The fight is not over. My niece was expelled from Belmont in early 2025 due to her Pots symptom of fainting. She continually tried to be reinstated to her classes but was denied. She then tried to be allowed to attend classes during the summer months as she was still hoping to be able to graduate with her class in the spring of 2026, but again Belmont denied her.

She continues her fight and is trying to be reinstated before fall classes begin in August of 2025. I sincerely appreciate all the signatures, comments, and support for her cause. I request that you continue to share this petition and bring more attention to her fight and others with this disability. Hopefully, I will be able to share a positive report with you all sometime soon.

The Issue

My niece was recently unjustly expelled from Belmont University in Nashville for her medical condition/disability. She was a junior student and resident at Belmont. 

In her case, her disability is "Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome" (POTS), which causes fainting episodes, and she has had this condition for almost eight years. For important clarification, she was a Dean's List Student, over 70% completed with her degree, and on track to graduate in May of 2026. Despite making the college aware of her condition, requesting, and utilizing the support offices on campus including the Office of Accessibility, she was still expelled against her will. This is not only unjust and unfair but also infringes upon the rights of all students with disabilities.

This issue deserves recognition/acknowledgement and the Belmont community should be informed of the harmful decisions the Belmont administrators are implementing behind the scenes. Discrimination against students with disabilities affects more than just the individuals involved; it greatly hinders diversity and inclusivity in their learning environments. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) protects students in the United States from such discrimination, including those with POTS, a condition understood to affect 1 to 3 million Americans. My niece did not choose to have this medical condition; however, she is still able to live independently and pursue her aspirations as any other college student should be able to do. 

Despite these legal protections, instances like hers are still occurring at Belmont University which is a Christian college with an office of "Hope Unity and Belonging.” Colleges should be places of inclusivity and understanding, not places where students are expelled or removed due to factors beyond their control, such as medical or mental health conditions. 

Therefore, this petition respectfully urges Belmont University to review their policies regarding students with medical conditions (visible and invisible), reinstate my niece and all others who were unjustly expelled for a disability, and improve their provisions for disability support to safeguard the rights of all students. Please sign this petition and ensure that no student (including my niece) is left behind or subjected to unfair treatment because of a medical condition. Everyone deserves a chance to be heard and feel that they matter. Thank you for your attention to this issue. 

Note:  Please do not donate to this petition. My primary goal is to gather signatures and raise awareness about this issue.