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Pennsylvania Turnpike traffic restrictions planned between Somerset and Bedford interchanges

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Weekend weather slightly soggy

DALLAS &#8212; Misericordia University has answered a former nursing student&#8217;s civil discrimination claim.The university, in documents filed Sept. 4 in U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, denies Jennifer Burbella&#8217;s allegations it promised to accommodate her difficulties with anxiety and depression and failed to follow through.Burbella, of Stroudsburg, alleges &#8220;reckless, outrageous, wanton, willful and malicious behavior&#8221; on the part of the university and claims a similarly disabled student was provided the same test-taking accommodations Burbella sought.Burbella&#8217;s suit says the university was aware of her disability, and she was seen at a university counseling center for her anxiety, depression and difficulties with concentration during much of her time at Misericordia.Misercordia says it was never notified Burbella had a disability and claims she attended the counseling center because of an unspecified incident involving alcohol.While retaking a class she had previously failed, Burbella was allowed double time to take exams, as well as the opportunity to take the tests in a &#8220;distraction-free environment.&#8221;Burbella said she asked to take one exam in a building nearer to where her classmates would be taking the test, but was denied her request, despite the university allegedly allowing another similarly-disabled student&#8217;s similar request.Misericordia responded, saying Burbella never made such a request.Burbella also claims professor Christina Tomkins offered to allow the student to ask questions via cell phone during the test, but did not answer her phone during the exam.According to Misericordia&#8217;s response, Burbella spoke over the phone with Tomkins several times during the exam, including one phone call which lasted approximately 30 minutes.The woman again failed the course and was not allowed to graduate with a nursing degree.In July, Burbella narrowed the scope of her suit, dismissing claims against individual defendants, including Tomkins, and withdrawing two counts of her suit seeking damages and punitive damages.<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta>By James O&#8217;Malleyjomalley@www.timesleader.com</bylineMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><shirttailMeta>Reach James O&#8217;Malley at 570-991-6390 or on Twitter @TL_omalley.</shirttailMeta></div>

Misericordia denies nursing student’s discrimination claims