The Iowa District Court has dismissed a petition for judicial review of two decisions made by Iowa State in 2001 concerning a post-doctoral student.

The petition, which said the actions of Iowa State in dealing with the student were unjust, was dismissed and Iowa State’s actions were held to be appropriate on March 31, according to court documents.

“We are pleased with the result,” said Paul Tanaka, university counsel.

Hadi Tabbara, a former post doctoral student at Iowa State, initially filed the petition on November 15, 2001.

Tabbara, who now resides in Tempe, Ariz., said he was not surprised by the findings of the court because he believed they did not do an extensive investigation. “[This is just] one step you have to go though,” he said.

According to court documents, two incidents were contested in the petition. The first was a directive by the Department of Public Safety prohibiting then-student Tabbara from entering the ISU campus and from contacting faculty and staff in the agricultural and biosystems engineering department.

“I am not the one who should be banned from Iowa State,” Tabbara said.

Tanaka said there were multiple instances of unusual contact with different people that led to Tabbara being banned from campus.

“I have never threatened anybody at Iowa State,” Tabbara said.

Tabbara was informed he was banned from campus by a letter from the Department of Public Safety on Oct. 19, 2000.

In the district court’s ruling, they found the number of instances of “unusual conduct” to be numerous enough to substantiate Iowa State’s ruling.

The second issue contested by Tabbara was the nonrenewal of his post-doctorate Agronomy Department appointment, which occurred on Jan. 22, 2001.

According to court documents, Iowa State fulfilled its obligations to Tabbara by allowing him to finish his term on Jan. 31, 2001, despite Tabbara being banned from campus. According to court documents, Iowa State issued letters of reference and assisted him in finding another job.

Tabbara said the letters of recommendation issued were not adequate, and Iowa State has prevented him from obtaining a job in agriculture.

“My career in agriculture is finished,” Tabbara said. “I cannot get a job. Iowa State has made sure the Ph.D. they have given me is essentially a nonfunctioning Ph.D.”

A civil lawsuit brought against Iowa State by Tabbara claiming they discriminated against him will go to trial on July 22 at 9 a.m. in the Story County Courthouse.

Tabbara said he hopes his upcoming lawsuit will show the truth of his situation.

“I’m going for the truth and one day it will be known,” Tabbara said.