The story of Paul Robinson and the Student Association Mass Transit Board (SAMTB) continues.

NIU student Paul Robinson, who is visually impaired, received a memo from former SAMTB chair Christi Kret on Sept. 14, notifying him of his suspension from riding the Freedom Mobile.

Kret resigned after the summer semester but stayed with the SAMTB to help usher in her replacement, Mikki Anderson.

The Freedom Mobile, funded by the SAMTB, is a van which is accessible to mobility and visually handicapped students and transports the students to and from their classes and around town.

Robinson’s privileges were suspended because he broke SAMTB policies. The rides Robinson took, which the SAMTB claims were in violation of policy, occurred during a thunderstorm in the last week of August.

The SAMTB said in order for his suspension to be lifted, he had to meet with Anderson.

The SAMTB and Robinson both say they have made plenty of attempts to resolve the issue, but to no avail.

The issue is not only unresolved, it is also not cut-and-dry.

Robinson said he feels his civil rights were violated for four reasons: His name was broadcast over the Huskie Line radio, due process was not followed in informing him of his suspension, he was not allowed to speak about the issue at a meeting and the SAMTB policy itself is discriminatory.

The SAMTB Adapted Transportation Information and Policies booklet states: “Class-to-class transportation is only available for mobility-impaired students.”

University Legal Counsel George Shur said the SAMTB is not violating any civil rights. “We’re quite comfortable with the policies, which we feel are appropriate and legal,” Shur said.

George Abbott, NIU graduate student and SAMTB member, said Robinson is alone in his fight. “He’s basically the sole person who is upset with the service,” Abbott said. “None of the other Freedom Mobile riders feel the way he does. If he didn’t want to get wet, that’s his problem.”

Robinson said this is not a take-sides issue. “I can’t deny myself what I feel I need for my own well-being,” he said. “The other riders don’t need the service to the extent that I do.”

Abbott said Robinson’s requests are hard to meet. “If the van is used for class-to-class rides like Robinson feels it should, it will never leave the campus,” Abbott said.

Robinson said some riders choose to live off-campus and get to ride the Freedom Mobile any time. “They have access to the Freedom Mobile every time they pick up the telephone,” he said.