When Phylise Bowens, 43, took a leap of faith and enrolled in a graduate studies program at Bethune-Cookman University six years ago, she also planned to pursue her dreams joining the school’s 14K Gold dance team. Unfortunately, according to WESH 2, Bowens was not permitted to audition because she was told that she was overweight by the band director. Not one to be discouraged, Bowens quickly involved herself in a weight loss program.
“Within one month, I lost 16 pounds,” she told reporters.
As time went on, Bowens shed a total of 60 pounds, shrinking from a size 14 to a size 3, but she was still denied the opportunity to audition. Apparently, coordinators felt that she did not have the “body type” of a 14K Gold Dancer.
“You still don’t have the body type,” Bowens says she was told. “I wanted to know what the overall look was, seeing that I have two arms and two legs,” she continued.
Now, Bowens is suing for $15,000 and a refund of tuition.
“It’s a breach of contract,” said her attorney David Glasser.
According to their argument, when Bowens entered the transformative-leadership master’s program at the university, student activities such as the dance team should have been available to her. He reasons that she’s due compensation because she wasn’t even afforded the opportunity to audition.
“Our attorneys and administration are currently investigating this matter,” the university said in a statement, according to Click 2 Orlando. “B-CU is an equal opportunity institution and encourage all students to be actively involved in our campus extracurricular offerings.”
It definitely seems unfair that Bowens wasn’t even permitted audition for the team. What are your thoughts on her lawsuit?
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