The court also noted that faculty decisions regarding Nehme’s dismissal were unanimous, with several university committees affirming that he lacked the skills to advance to the fourth year.
While Nehme alleged improper accommodations during one exam, the court found that even if true, his performance across other exams and courses demonstrated a pattern of academic failure.
This ruling reinforces the legal precedent that educational institutions are afforded deference in their academic decisions, provided they act within the bounds of federal disability law. Nehme’s legal team has not ruled out seeking further review, but FIU’s attorneys have not commented on the decision.
The case, Nehme v. Florida International University Board of Trustees, is filed under case number 22-13945 in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit.
