The legal suit brought against the University by sophomore Deborah Stamm was resolved earlier this week. She had filed a lawsuit against UR after repeatedly being denied access to her service dog, Sid.
At a preliminary hearing in October, an injunction allowed Stamm to retain Sid until the case was finalized. The final settlement was signed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of New York. Stamm and University representatives issued a joint statement.
“The University and Deborah Stamm have agreed to settle her lawsuit to avoid protracted and distracting litigation. Pursuant to the agreement, Ms. Stamm will continue to live with her dog Sid in the dormitory through the end of this academic year, but she has agreed that, in future years, she will not live with him in University housing or bring him onto University property,” the statement said.
Stamm’s story stretches back to last summer, when she requested that Sid be allowed to stay in her residence hall and accompany her to class. She cited that her need for a service animal arose from her disability, a combination of major depressive disorder and Type 1 diabetes. Various members of the University reviewed her case but ultimately denied her access to Sid, leading Stamm to pursue legal action.
Squires is a member of the class of 2010.
