Fed officials, UMDNJ settle discrimination claim

TRENTON, N.J. (AP) — The U.S. Justice Department has reached a settlement with the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey that resolves complaints that some applicants were unlawfully excluded because they have hepatitis B.

Under the settlement, UMDNJ will adopt a disability rights policy and allow the applicants to enroll. It also will provide ADA training to its employees and provide the applicants with $75,000 overall in compensation and tuition credits.

The settlement involves two applicants who were accepted to UMDNJ’s School of Osteopathic Medicine. One also was accepted to its medical school.

Authorities say the schools revoked the acceptances after learning the applicants have hepatitis B. Justice Department officials found no lawful basis for excluding the applicants, especially because students at the schools are not required to perform invasive surgical procedures.