College requests lawsuit dismissal
By Holli L. Rapp
IVCC’s attorney will ask Judge Lewis Perona to dismiss a defamation lawsuit on Friday Sept. 18 in Ottawa. In July, IVCC and Nursing Instructor Bonnie Beardsley of Ottawa were named in the multi-count defamation lawsuit filed by a Peru woman who did not complete the nursing program.
Former nursing student Alicia Dunn is suing the college for breach of contract and defamation of character. Beardsley is named in the lawsuit for defamation of character.
In the lawsuit, the plaintiff alleges that Beardsley:
"Pushed and shoved plaintiff aside" during a class exercise.
Falsely accused Dunn of lying to the director of nursing
Prepared a false evaluation
Gave Dunn a failing grade for a clinical class in violation of the schools guidelines
"Unfairly criticized" Dunn when she asked for advice on a procedure.
Falsely accused Dunn of "being slow."
"Acted incompetently and with bias."
Attorney Ken Peterson, who is representing Dunn, did not want to comment on the case.
Public Information Director and College spokesman Fran Brolley said, "We have conducted an investigation, and we do not believe there is any validity to the allegations." The investigation was conducted by Bonnie Grusk and Vice President of Academic Affairs Harriet Custer.
Grusk, Division Chair Of Health Professions, said on the nursing program, "We have certain expectations, because most of them (the nursing students) will work in the community. We want to make sure they have the skills to be successful in their career as a nurse."
Grusk added "come back to the IVCC mission statement."
The IVCC mission statement says that IVCC serves the needs of the learner and our diverse community by providing quality education, training and services that are accessible, affordable, and promote lifelong learning.
"We work to meet the standards of the mission," she said.
Dunn is seeking more than $200,000 in compensatory damages and $500,000 in punitive damages.
"We support our instructor’s decision in the case," said Brolley. Beardsley has been employed at the college since fall of 1996.
College President Dr. Jean Goodnow commented on the nursing program, "IVCC has a long-standing, outstanding reputation."
Sept. 17, 1998 the Apache