CINCINNATI — A federal appeals court has ruled that a university in Cleveland can deny a medical degree to a student if the school decides the student lacks professionalism.
The 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on Wednesday overturned a lower court ruling that ordered Case Western Reserve University to give Amir Al-Dabagh a degree. The school had argued he lacked the professionalism to responsibly carry out his duties.
The appeals panel in Cincinnati concluded Case Western was within its rights to make an academic judgment about a student and deny the degree.
Al-Dabagh’s attorneys said in email that they will appeal, but didn’t provide details of their appeal plans.
Case Western said in a statement that it is grateful that the court found universities are “uniquely qualified” to make academic judgments.
