An Arizona college is being sued for labeling a student a “bigot” and punishing her with a long-term suspension after she requested that English be used in her nursing studies class so she could learn the subject.

The action was filed against Pima Community College on behalf of student Terri Bennett, who alleged that school officials created a “learning environment [that] was hostile to her as an English-language speaker.”

The complaint alleges that Bennett repeatedly was thwarted in her work listening to lectures, finishing group studies and participating in skills labs, clinicals and other learning activities by fellow students who spoke Spanish, which she did not understand. Study groups and labs in which she participated, an essential part of her nursing training, were being conducted in Spanish.

In response, she asked the college – which operates, ironically, under Arizona’s English-only legal requirement – to help enforce the use of English in her class so she could continue to pursue her educational goals. However, according to the complaint, Bennett was targeted by the school with ridicule, attacks, threats and, eventually, a nine-month suspension.

The group ProEnglish is helping Bennett with legal support.

Read Terri Bennett’s entire legal complaint here.

“What happened to Terri Bennett is an outrage,” said ProEnglish Executive Director Robert Vandervoort. “For simply seeking a classroom environment where she can learn in English, Terri was harshly treated by the PCC administration, viciously insulted, and punished with a nine-month suspension.

“This school should be known as ‘Politically Correct College,’” said Vandervoort, whose organization advocates for the use of English as a unifying factor. “We look forward to bringing justice for Terri and making sure other students are allowed to learn in English.”

Paul Schwalback, public information manager for the tax-supported institution, sent a college-approved statement on the case to WND.

“Due to federal law protecting student privacy, Pima Community College is not able to comment specifically about Terri Bennett’s situation,” it started.

But the college did talk about the case, explaining, “We are confident the evidence will demonstrate that the college acted appropriately with respect to Ms. Bennett’s situation.”

PCC also touted its “positive learning environment for all students” and efforts to hold “students and employees accountable to those standards.”

“While the legal process is pending, we do not believe it would be appropriate to make a detailed statement about the allegations in the lawsuit,” the statement concluded.

See the whole article here:

Student booted from U.S. college for favoring English!