Colin Carlson, 13, sues against age discrimination
p2pnet view Cool:- Thirteen-year-old Colin Carlson says he’s being discriminated against.
By a university.
Because of his age.
He’s studying at the University of Connecticut where he was recently told he’s not old enough to take an overseas course, says the Associated Press.
“I’m losing time in my four-year plan for college,” he says in the story. “They’re upsetting the framework of one of my majors.”
When he was only 10 Colin “became dedicated top the global warming cause”, says the Environmental Defense Action Fund, from whence came the pic.
He “began urging residents to cut back on energy”, it says, going on >>>
When he was met with opposition from non-believers, he learned to change his message and instead appeal to their pocketbooks by demonstrating how cutting back on energy could help cut costs.
He began at his local market, insisting that they shelve more compact fluorescent light bulbs. He then moved on to local electricians, requesting that they pledge to promote alternative energy and sources of conservation. He convinced local businesses to develop conservation plans, and even got enough residents to opt for clean energy that the state of Connecticut gave his hometown of Coventry a free solar panel.
He is now attempting to spread his message across the country.
While studying environmental conservation in college, he also visits schools across New England, advising his peers to do simple things to save energy, like turning off lights or using less water.The U.S. Department of Education is reportedly investigating.
Now, “It’s important to have a very wide world view,” he says in the AP story. “Biology is fundamentally about the diversity of life, with a focus across the planet.”
A course in conservation work in South Africa “would have been critical to his studies and the rejection has forced him to change his thesis plans”.
Adds the article >>>
Although Colin was barred from the South African field trip course, he will participate in a National Science Foundation-funded research group that also will take him to South Africa to study plant ecology. Colin and his mother say they would be satisfied if the university ensures that the NSF-funded research trip and a seminar fulfill the academic requirements of the course he originally sought. They also have asked that $5,000 in stipend and expenses be reimbursed.
Their lawyer, Michael Agranoff, said he wants to negotiate a solution. He and a lawyer for the state have scheduled their first meeting Friday, he said.
Colin says he would prefer not to have to fight, but he has no choice.
“When people are drawing lines in the sand, you’re going to have to cross them,” he declares in the story. “I’m not going back.”
..… and identi.ca
First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win ~ Mahatma Gandhi
Associated Press – Prodigy, 13, claims age discrimination by UConn, March 25, 2010
Environmental Defense Action Fund – College Student Appeals to Consumer Pocketbooks, March 9, 2009
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