Help Student Seek Justice After Unfair Expulsion

On 9/12/24, I was expelled from The Young Americans College of Performing Arts (YACPA) without due process as granted to students of private universities via the California Supreme Court (Boermeester v. Carry, 263 Cal. Rptr. 3d 261 (Cal. Ct. App. 2020)). I am fundraising to file a lawsuit against the college for this violation of my rights.

I was expelled effective immediately after Juandretta Murphy (Dean of Students) read an expulsion letter to me stating I violated “housing policies” by allegedly “living in student housing without a lease.” When I attempted to defend myself, she said, “This is what the college has decided, and you need to leave.”

My expulsion happened one day after I emailed the President of the Board of Directors, telling him I feared retaliation from Talya Franklin (CEO/President of the College) for whistleblowing about Talya Franklin to him and the FTC.

The email reads, “Hi, hope you’re doing well. I know when I checked in last time, you asked for patience, but my concerns are growing regarding Talya.” - “The students, and every faculty/staff member I’ve talked to are also uneasy about Talya. Every teacher I’ve brought my concerns up with says they’ve noticed the same things or had the same worries, but worry about losing their job if they were to say anything. Regarding students, Talya also has final say on casting decisions, as well as several people's housing situations, so unless a student stays in her good graces, there are a myriad of ways she could retaliate against them and has before.”

The college does not have a housing policy publicly or privately available to students. My requests for the alleged housing policy, as well as evidence used against me, or a hearing, have all been met with silence. I made a FERPA request for the information. After initially ignoring it, Juandretta Murphy said, “The FERPA timeline is 45 days from the request being made.”

In my appeal, sent on 9/15/24, I questioned why no other students were being punished for “housing violations.” Whomever they (YACPA) allege I lived with surely would also be found guilty of “housing violations.” Additionally, I listed 4 students/cast members who have stayed at the student housing for extended periods without a lease. None of those people have been expelled.

Additionally, in the publicly available academic catalog, there is no housing policy. However, under the code of conduct (Academic Catalog, pages 54-60), the harshest punishment listed for breaking said code of conduct is suspension, not expulsion. The only place it lists expulsion as an option is under the Title IX section as a punishment for sexual misconduct. Furthermore, in the Title IX procedures listed, due process and fair procedure are explicitly laid out. (Academic Catalog, Pages 70-74)

Juandretta Murphy (Dean of Students) said that my appeal could take up to 90 days, whereas the only information about an appeal timeline in regard to academic probation in the academic catalog says appeals must be processed within 48 hours (Academic Catalog, page 26).

Why they are fundraising: I am raising funds to cover legal fees while I fight this unjust expulsion.

Who/What they are fundraising for: This fundraiser is for me, a student wrongfully expelled from YACPA, seeking justice and support during this challenging time.