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Thursday, May 9, 2024

USI Student Told to Leave Campus Over Disorder

Credit: WEVV
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USI Student Told to Leave Campus Over Disorder
USI Student Told to Leave Campus Over Disorder

After Public Safety received several complaints about the student's tics, which are uncontrollable outbursts brought on by Tourette Syndrome, he was told to move out of his apartment and continue learning online.

Say the institution -- is picking and choosing when to support diversity.

A student at u-s- i who is diagnosed with tourette (too- ret) syndrome says he is being asked to stay out of the classrooms-- because of his condition... according to him --- reports of quote -- "profane vocabulary in inappropriate situations" -- prompting university leaders -- to ask him to learn online.

44news reporter valerie lyons -- is live at the university of southern indiana --- as fellow classmates stand behind the freshman.

A petition in support of seth -- created with hopes of getting the university to reverse its decision-- has been shared across social media and -- in less than 24 hours -- surpassed more than 7200 signatures.

"i can't always hold off from having a tic."

Tics -- repetitive movements and unwanted sounds -- symptoms of the neurological disorder known as tourette syndrome.

-- it's uncontrollable -- and -- something seth pressler has suffered with his whole life "offensive things that as a person who tries to be kind that i would never want to say and then my tourette's makes me say things that i would never want to say" he says the university knew about the extent of his condition but after complaints to public safety -- he's been asked move off campus-- and finish the semester online.

Seth pressler: "it was a tic where i would be like 'a gun, i have a gun' it wouldn't' happen consistently, maybe a few times a day in random places but i would always explain to everybody in the room 'oh sorry!

I legit have tourette's, no offense meant.'" an now a petition created to support him is gaining traction and his friend says that support is only growing.

"i went by a table in the breezeway today, someone had a table and they had a chalkboard that actually said, they had written on there, "stand with seth."

In a statement -- the university said it is aware of the petition -- but can't not comment directly on this case.

But that u-s-i deeply values and supports diversity and inclusion for all.

Seth says no matter the university's decision -- he's thankful for the support he's been given.

"i'm grateful, very grateful and i feel very supported and loved and blessed."

Seth says if the university were to reverse its decision and welcome him back -- he would accept -- but that his view of the university would no longer be the same.

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