New York student suing to overcome an 'F'

NEW YORK, June 24 (UPI) -- A 27-year-old man is suing New York's Columbia University for a failing grade he received on a recent exam, alleging school officials acted unfairly.

Nicholas Perrino said he was forced to miss an exam when his grandparents became ill and is now suing the Ivy League school to regain entry to its School of Nursing, the New York Post said Sunday.

The Illinois native said that while he spoke to his professors about his absence, he returned from caring for his relatives to find he had failed the test and been cut from his degree program.

Perrino said school officials then rejected his academic grievances and appeals in the matter.

"It's insane," he said. "It's not like I killed someone."

As part of his Manhattan Supreme Court suit, Perrino is seeking to have the failing grade expunged from his record, be reinstated at the university and receive tuition reimbursement for previous classes.

A school spokesman would not comment on the matter due to privacy regulations, the Post said.