A former ISU student is suing Iowa State for discrimination and retaliation for failing to accommodate his learning disabilities.

James G. Johnson, resident of Calhoun County, filed a lawsuit in Story County District Court Nov. 12 claiming the university failed to accommodate his disability.

He claims the university’s discrimination denied him the opportunity to pursue and obtain a degree in veterinary medicine. He also claims the university’s actions contribute to “lost wages, great emotional pain and suffering and incurred such other damages as are shown by the evidence,” according to court documents.

Both University Counsel Paul Tanaka and Director of University Relations John McCarroll declined to comment. Johnson’s attorney, Bruce Stolze of Des Moines, could not be reached for comment.

Johnson enrolled as an undergraduate student at Iowa State in the fall of 1991. He was diagnosed with several learning disabilities by the testing office of student counseling the following year. One of these tests showed he was dyslexic, which qualified him for Section 504 of the Vocational Rehabilitation Act of 1973.

He also falls under Iowa Code Chapter 216 protections, which qualified Johnson for accommodations for his disability. According to the court document, Iowa State was provided with a list of accommodations, including: a separate room for testing, more time for testing, extra time to complete projects outside of class and tutoring for math classes.

Johnson applied to the ISU College of Veterinary Medicine in September 1994. He subsequently applied in 1996, 2000 and 2002.

The required grade-point average at the time was a minimum of 2.35, but Johnson’s grade-point average was 2.29, according to documents. Then the minimum grade point average was raised to 2.50.

His grade point average was recalculated and was a 2.39.

Iowa State notified Johnson that he needed to take biology, zoology and physics courses over again to raise his grade point average. However, Johnson told Iowa State that this would only raise his individual grades, not his cumulative grade point average.

He then told the university he should not be required to take the classes, as he should be provided appropriate accommodation.

Johnson claims in the document that Iowa State has failed to provide accommodations for Johnson’s disability and therefore violated the provisions of Chapter 216.

In 1994, 1996 and 2000, Johnson was notified that his application for admittance was denied. The decision of admittance for this year has yet to be decided.