UPDATE: A former Bucknell University student, Brianna Thomas, alleges severe racial harassment led her to jump from a third-floor window, resulting in serious injuries. The incident has prompted her to file a civil rights lawsuit against the university in the U.S. Middle District Court.
Thomas claims that Bucknell failed to adequately address her complaints regarding the harassment she endured, which she argues was racially motivated. Despite the university’s refusal to comment on pending litigation, the situation escalated dramatically when Judge Joseph F. Saporito Jr. permitted an amended complaint to be filed on September 17, 2024, after a motion to dismiss became moot.
According to court documents, Thomas experienced ongoing harassment while living in the 7th Street House, designated for Black students. She reported a disturbing incident where a fellow student made derogatory remarks about her while she was getting food delivered. Just days later, during a moment of grief over a deceased aunt, she overheard someone questioning why she was upset, dismissing her feelings entirely.
The harassment escalated further, with derogatory comments about her appearance. Despite her attempts to seek help from university staff, including Debra Gonkpah, community director coordinator, and counselor Aisha Popoola, the bullying persisted, severely impacting her mental health. Thomas reported that her anxiety became overwhelming, leading her to fear returning to her residence.
In early October 2024, after expressing her desire to leave Bucknell, Thomas called her mother in distress. Terrified to exit her room in Larison Hall, she ultimately jumped from the window, resulting in a compression fracture to her back, a puncture wound to her leg, and significant injuries requiring hospitalization.
The lawsuit seeks unspecified damages for racial and gender harassment, retaliation under Title IX, and violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Thomas contends that the university’s inaction constituted deliberate indifference to her plight, a claim the university has challenged.
This harrowing case highlights critical issues surrounding campus safety and the responsibility of educational institutions to protect their students from harassment. As the legal battle unfolds, the implications could resonate beyond Bucknell, sparking discussions on systemic racism and mental health support within universities across the nation.
What’s next? As the case progresses, watch for updates from the court and potential responses from Bucknell University regarding the ongoing allegations and the measures they intend to implement in response to this alarming incident.
Stay tuned for more developments in this urgent story as it continues to evolve.
