Idaho State University (ISU) has been ordered by District Judge Robert C. Naftz to pay a total of $728,371.55 to Chanica Sintima, a Black doctoral student in the College of Pharmacy, after a jury found the university liable for racial discrimination and retaliation.
Background of the lawsuit
Sintima filed a lawsuit in September 2024 alleging that ISU applied its attendance and tardiness policies unevenly, punishing her more harshly than a white classmate. She contended that the university wrongfully removed her from an Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center clinical rotation in the fall of 2023, gave her a failing grade mid‑semester, and ultimately expelled her in early 2024.
Jury verdict and additional judgment
In April, a Bannock County jury awarded Sintima $160,000 in damages. Judge Naftz’s recent order increased the total judgment to $728,371.55, adding attorney’s fees and court costs. While the monetary award does not automatically restore Sintima’s academic standing, the judge emphasized that the university must provide her with a fair opportunity to complete her education.
University’s response
University counsel acknowledged the ruling and said ISU is reviewing its options. “Ultimately, we respect the judicial system and appreciate the judge finding that the university can provide Ms. Sintima a fair and respectful educational opportunity if she returns to ISU,” the statement read.
Implications for the campus community
The case highlights ongoing concerns about equitable treatment of students of color on college campuses. Advocates for civil rights and higher‑education fairness see the judgment as a step toward accountability, while university officials stress their commitment to complying with the court’s order and ensuring a nondiscriminatory learning environment.
Next steps for Sintima
Attorney J. Grady Hepworth expressed optimism for his client. “From day one, Chanica’s goal was to become a pharmacist, and this decision clears her path to fulfilling that dream,” he said. Sintima now faces the process of reinstatement and the possibility of completing the required clinical rotation to finish her doctorate.
Broader context
Idaho State University, a public institution, is subject to both state and federal civil‑rights statutes that prohibit discrimination based on race. The judgment reinforces the legal responsibility of universities to apply policies uniformly and to provide remedial measures when violations occur.
Stakeholders, including faculty, administrators, and student groups, are expected to monitor how ISU implements the court’s directive and whether additional policy revisions will be made to prevent similar disputes in the future.
Original reporting: Idaho Education News — read the source article.
