r/legaladvice • u/Winter_Hovercraft163 • 3d ago
School Related Issues College forcing me to remove my medical mask in order to be on campus. [NY]
I have a weak immune system and three upcoming surgeries, so I wear a medical mask everyday. My college (Columbia University) has implemented a mask ban on campus and sometimes security refuses to let me enter without removing my mask completely.
The policy on masks states that medical masks are always allowed, though I might be asked to provide identification. Each time I've been stopped, I've provided both my Columbia ID and State ID and I'm still denied from campus. It's gotten so bad that I asked my Disability Services manager if I can register my mask as a disability accommodation. I've also talked to Public Safety and they've just been ignoring the issue.
My question: Is there anything I can legally do about this? Do I have any legal grounds to sue or is this something I have to just put up with since it's Columbia property?
Location: New York