Global Courant 2023-04-16 19:58:14
Columbia College, a nonprofit private college in Chicago, is facing threatened legal action from a student’s family after his disabled father said he was denied permission to use a campus restroom.
According to a report by Fox 32 Chicago, Jose Palencia was dropping off his son Jose Eusebio-Palencia at the school’s campus on April 4, when he needed to go to the bathroom. However, Columbia security reportedly denied the father access to the restroom after multiple pleas, and he defecated as a result.
Palencia survived two strokes that left him with limited mobility on the left side of his body.
The family spoke to the media about the case, explaining to reporters what had happened and the humiliation the father had experienced.
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Jose Palencia, a disabled father, and his family walk to the press as they speak out about how Palencia was denied access to the Columbia College campus restroom by security, April 4, 2023. (WFLD)
“It got complicated because my dad couldn’t stand it any longer. My dad relieved himself right in front of the staff,” explained Palencia’s daughter Jennifer Santoyo, holding back tears. ‘Can you imagine how humiliated my father must have felt at the time? That’s humiliating! No one should ever have to go through something like this.’
The family has decided to file a complaint with the Civil Rights Division of the US Department of Justice.
Palencia openly shared the shame he felt after the incident happened.
“As my daughter said, I was extremely upset and very embarrassed, and most of all humiliated,” Palencia said as she discussed the situation. “I was constantly begging them to please let me in.”
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Jennifer Santoyo fights back tears as she explains how her father was humiliated after the incident. (WFLD)
He went on to explain the interaction he had with security.
“They just told me to leave – told me to leave the premises or I would be arrested,” he said. “I walked slowly to the car and I don’t know if you could imagine it, but it was terrible.”
In a prepared statement shared with Fox News Digital, an employee of the university’s media relations department relayed an apology the school had issued.
“Columbia deeply regrets this incident and has apologized to the family and would like to take this opportunity to do so publicly. The college is ensuring that the contracted security company takes steps to ensure that staff follows college policy…while Columbia does not have public restrooms, members of the Columbia community, including parents, may use restrooms on campus.”
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Jose Eusebio-Palencia speaks out about how his school treated his father. (WFLD)
Palencia’s daughter addressed the college’s response to the situation, claiming it was inadequate.
“They should apologize to my father,” Santoyo said. “They apologized to my brother, not directly to my father.”
The son, who is in his third year of college, also spoke out against the school. Despite the college’s apology, he told the press, “No, that’s not enough! That’s not enough!”
“Should I accept these apologies for what they did to my father? I’ve been coming here for three quiet years and I’ve been dropped off here every day,” Palencia’s son said. “I’m an honors student here, so why was my father treated this way, regardless of policy?”
Jose Palencia tells the press that he was embarrassed and humiliated after begging security several times to go to the toilet and still being refused. (WFLD)
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The actions of the security officers would be discriminatory against Palencia and in violation of the school policy statement.
“Columbia is committed to preserving an environment that respects the dignity of all individuals. Therefore, Columbia does not tolerate harassment or discrimination based on religion, race, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, ethnicity, or any other category protected by law by or of its students, faculty or staff,” the statement read.
Emily Robertson is a Fox News digital production assistant.
