Bergenfield woman sues Fairleigh Dickinson overing nursing program

Bergenfield woman sues Fairleigh Dickinson overing nursing program

BY PATRICIA ALEX

STAFF WRITER | 

THE RECORD

A Bergenfield woman has filed suit against Fairleigh Dickinson University, claiming the school misled her and others in advertising that students could complete a doctorate of nursing practice program within two years.

The suit by Marsha Oliver claims that just two of 21 students who started the program in 2007 graduated by 2009.

Oliver claims that the university, in Teaneck, lacked qualified and competent staff and failed to provide advertised resources, such as access to a writing center. The suit claims the two-year completion time cited in advertisements and the student handbook constituted a contract between the university and students enrolled.

The university declined comment on the suit as did Oliver’s attorney, Dwaine Williamson of Trenton. The suit, filed in Bergen County in August, seeks compensatory damages for tuition paid and emotional distress the plaintiff claims to have suffered.

Generally degree completion times vary. For instance, the federal government now uses a six-year measure for so called four-year undergraduate degrees. Even so, less than half of students nationally graduate within six years. Students fare somewhat better in New Jersey where about two-thirds complete degrees within six years, according to figures from the federal government.