Sintima v. Idaho State University, et al.

Summary

On October 7, 2024, former Idaho State University (ISU) College of Pharmacy student Chanica Sintima filed a lawsuit in Bannock County District Court against ISU and two pharmacy faculty members, alleging that she was dismissed from the Doctor of Pharmacy program in retaliation for reporting racial discrimination. Sintima, who is Black, alleged that she had earned a 3.62 GPA and multiple Dean’s List recognitions before she experienced unequal treatment during a required clinical rotation at Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center in fall 2023. She alleged that her instructor, Dr. Erin Berry, treated her differently than a white classmate regarding attendance and performance issues and that she reported her concerns to ISU’s Office of Equity and Inclusion.

The complaint alleged that after Sintima raised concerns about discrimination, ISU officials retaliated against her. According to the lawsuit, Sintima was removed from her clinical rotation, failed the Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience course, and was referred to the College of Pharmacy’s Progressions Committee for dismissal. She alleged that Berry and Dr. Kasidy McKay, chair of ISU’s Department of Pharmacy Practice and Administrative Sciences, characterized her conduct as threatening after she raised concerns about discrimination and sought to file a complaint. Sintima alleged that the university dismissed her from the pharmacy program in January 2024. She alleged that ISU violated federal and state civil rights laws protecting students from racial discrimination and retaliation by removing her from the program after she reported concerns about unequal treatment based on her race.

On April 23, 2026, a Bannock County jury found that Idaho State University and the two faculty members retaliated against Sintima based on her race discrimination complaint. The jury awarded Sintima $160,000 in damages. According to reports, the jury found that ISU’s actions violated protections against retaliation under federal and state civil rights laws. Sintima’s attorneys said the verdict confirmed her claims that she was removed from the program after raising concerns about discrimination.

Following the verdict, ISU said it disagreed with the jury’s decision but respected the judicial process. The university stated that it maintained policies intended to provide students with a respectful learning environment. Sintima said after the verdict that she hoped to continue pursuing her goal of becoming a Doctor of Pharmacy.