Mom wins fight against NYU to allow ‘banned’ baby on campus
A “determined” mother who’s juggling motherhood and legislation faculty scored a victory this week when — with the assistance of The Publish — she efficiently satisfied NYU to let her beforehand banned child onto campus.
After weeks of pleading with officers to permit her three-month-old son onto campus in order that she will be able to breastfeed him between lessons, second-year legislation scholar Devorah Neiger was repeatedly informed that solely vaccinated company ages 5 and older can enter any NYU constructing.
As she’s enrolled in 4 programs and in school 5 days every week, Neiger got here up with a workaround: Having her child and his vaccinated nanny wait in an empty house on campus till she may squeeze in a fast feeding session.
However when the toddler and nanny had been caught within the foyer of the legislation faculty’s Furman Corridor in the course of the second week of lessons, the Director for Range and Inclusion emailed Neiger to place her on discover: “That is nonetheless a violation of the college’s COVID-19 Visitor Policy which applies to foyer areas in addition to inside elements of the constructing so can’t be a continued apply.”
After The Publish started making calls concerning the child ban, NYU apparently modified its coverage by finish of day Thursday — the identical time because the deadline The Publish gave the varsity for remark.
Now, the Westchester mother of three will lastly have the ability to have her 12-pound tot wait inside faculty buildings.
“They’re making an exception for me,” Neiger informed The Publish on Thursday.
Requested concerning the sudden change of coverage, together with the “exception,” Michael Orey, spokesperson for the legislation faculty, informed The Publish: “NYU usually reassesses its well being and security protocols, and has lately relaxed numerous Covid-19 restrictions. In accordance with that development, our scholar, and others who’re equally located, might now deliver their kids into NYU buildings.”
The college, which carries a $73,216 tuition, didn’t reply to questions on whether or not kids below 5 should current vaccination standing.
After being rebuked by the Director for Range and Inclusion for having her son and nanny within the foyer of Furman Corridor, Neiger pleaded with officers on Sept. 8 in an electronic mail seen by The Publish.
“All I need to do is have the ability to breastfeed my child after I actually have simply 10 minutes between/throughout lessons. I’m not asking for a lot,” she wrote. “I’m in an intensive tutorial program the place I’m informed attendance is necessary or my diploma will likely be jeopardized. You’ve a mom who’s keen, ready (and admittedly determined) to attempt to give her child all the pieces he wants whereas pursuing an training. I’m so disheartened and stunned by the college’s response and the roadblocks positioned in my manner.”
Neiger, who was valedictorian of Baruch Faculty, stated she had beforehand been permitted to deliver her son into class by two professors. In an electronic mail seen by The Publish, one even reminisced about bringing her personal younger youngsters to class whereas she was a legislation scholar.
The mother, who stated she must have fast entry to her son, stated that an official had beforehand advised two public areas for him and the nanny to attend for her: one play space in Union Square, one other neighborhood solely; and a public library .8 miles away.
However Neiger stated she was uncomfortable with the nanny and her tiny tot traipsing across the crime-ridden Greenwich Village to go time till she may meet them. “I don’t need my child in random locations in Manhattan, particularly in a neighborhood riddled with crime,” she stated.
“All I need to do is breastfeed my baby on the door of the varsity,” Neiger informed The Publish. “I’m grateful to NYU for permitting my child in. It was a aid to have him shut by at this time on campus.”
