Legal Costs: A Whistleblower's Battle for Students' Rights

Help me in the Upcoming Legal Fight to Hold Methodist University Accountable for Alleged Retaliation against a Whistleblower for reporting FERPA Privacy Violations

My name is Daryl Latrell Vample, and I am a former graduate student who blew the whistle on a major privacy violation at Methodist University involving a diffuse breach of the PA Program Class of 2025's Social Security numbers—in my absence. This is a federal privacy violation under FERPA. What followed was not accountability—it was what I believe to be a campaign of retaliation: marked by silence, institutional failure, and a bad-faith mental health evaluation forced upon me exactly one day after I notified high-ranking officials that I had contacted the North Carolina Department of Justice (NCDOJ). I intend to bring legal action against Methodist University, and set a precedent for student rights.

After I raised concerns to the Program Director, April Martin, on January 31st about the improperly handled Social Security numbers and how the situation revealed a double standard between staff and students adherence to handbook policy, the response was not reflection—it was punishment. It started with a simple email string on January 29th, where I asked the clinical coordinator, Constance Page, for basic details about an upcoming meeting. I cc’d the Program Director only in case Ms. Page didn’t have the answers. In return, I received a response accusing me of inappropriate behavior and was instructed to rearrange my personal plans, and only respond that the message had been received.

I want to be clear: I wasn’t even addressing April Martin in the first place. No time was given for the meeting. No reason was provided. I had simply asked for clarification because the meeting was dropped on me with only 48 hours’ notice. I had family plans I had made weeks in advance and wanted consideration. For asking reasonable questions, I was treated like a problem. I went to April Martin’s office after our EOR exam on January 31st to follow up and get a definitive time, and all she said was, "after presentations." There is a witness to corroborate this.

I was left standing alone by the conference room for 20 to 25 minutes. Her email said she was bringing two people—three showed up. I was surrounded.

Despite no prior conduct issues, I was subjected to a bad-faith mental health evaluation, separated from my peers, and dismissed from the program entirely under what I believe to be not just retaliatory—but flawed and unethical circumstances. I have recordings that exonerate me from any of the justifications for that evaluation. I was kept from clinical rotations despite submitting the evaluation promptly, almost missing three days of my clinical rotations. And the disciplinary process? Completely skewed.

After I mentioned the breach to April Martin on January 31st, she later said on the recording: "If you haven't seen the error in your ways, we have a much bigger problem," suggesting the outcome was pre-decided and breaking any illusion of objectivity.

The evaluation they forced me to undergo? It was supposedly to address anger management and my ability to function in "tight spaces"—based on a completely misquoted email I sent on January 29th. The full email, which I have, shows I was simply suggesting more flexible meeting options, including outside the office. It appears as if they cherry-picked half-sentences and broke them up with ellipses to gain justification for their actions.

I had completed two 4-week clinical rotations in cardiology and orthopedics in closed rooms without issue. I had done OSCEs in closed exam rooms all year—without complaint. I even met with the Associate Dean of Students, Dr. Bobbit, in his own closed office on February 5th—just one day after I told high officials I was reporting to the NCDOJ. I told him everything. He said he’d pass it up. Less than an hour after I left his office, the PASC report dropped. There is no justification. I refused to enter the room to protect myself from being postured against by administrative powers, as they surrounded me with three people after promising two would attend, never justified the reason for meeting, and left me standing for 20-25 minutes after telling me to rearrange my plans as if there was some sense of urgency.

The report stated I needed an evaluation “to ensure the safety of yourself, MUPAP faculty, staff, students, and patients.” I have the recording. I said, "Yes ma'am," "No ma'am," and, "I have no animosity towards any of you." I was tense as they wasted my time. I was more professional than them given the context. They didn't even apologize for leaving me standing up there or telling me to cancel my plans. That report was inconsistent with what happened and painted me as a threat based on nothing.

I sent the evaluation promptly on February 7th and followed up with VP Walker on the 10th. No response. I called. Left a voicemail. Silence. After informing her of what I thought to be active retaliation, I received emails from one of their own counselors saying she was sorry I was "made to feel pathologized." and "I wish you strength through this challenge." I reached out to her to try to streamline the process and get the evaluation on the VP's desk while my clinical hours were ticking away. She wasn’t even the one who evaluated me.

I followed up with April Martin again on February 10th, 11th, and 12th, asking why the evaluation was required, and received no answers. Silence. Then, on February 12th, the Provost herself emailed me. She confirmed that Social Security information was shared, identified me as the whistleblower, but then tried to downplay it, stating that there was no breach or leak. She concretely admitted to one within the email attached to the updates section. NCDOJ confirmed that proper procedure was not carried out as all parties were not notified, including me, who was absent when it occurred. VP Walker, Dean Gronski, April Martin, and Dr. Bobbit were on the exact same thread. Not a single one of them said anything.

The provost claimed I maligned individuals. I didn’t. I was protecting myself. I told April Martin via email on February 10th, 11th, and 12th that I was adding a note without ill intent:

"Note** I want to make it imperative that I am cc’ing Dr. Bryant, Dr. Greenwood, and Dr. Grado—not out of vice—but because I no longer feel safe sending you, Mrs. Page, or Traverro Harden emails in isolate. This is not out of vice, but for my own protection, as our last email thread was used to label me a potential safety threat, even though my clinical evals were approved, and no faculty, patient, or student ever reported feeling threatened by my presence."

On February 14th, One of the emails where I raised concerns about the Social Security number breach while still trying to meet their policy standards was cited as a reason for my dismissal.

Then, on February 17th, I was dismissed. The PA Program Director sent an email to my classmates (excluding me) saying I was dismissed and trespassed—and to call 911 or campus police if I was on campus. I hadn’t even received the trespass notice yet. I received it on March 29th. I hadn’t been on campus since January 31st, never threatened anyone, and never did anything violent.

That trespass I received via certified mail was dated February 18th, yet she sent that email out to my cohort on February 17th. If my friends hadn’t told me, I could have gone to campus and unknowingly been arrested just for returning a suture kit. And then, 11 days after my dismissal, as evidenced by the text messages between my fellow students, the program implemented new privacy statements threatening ethical complaints if my classmates shared any communications from the faculty without permission. These text messages claim that Provost met on that day to discuss the social security number breach, and that April Martin lectured the students on this day about implementation of a new privacy statement.

On May 8th, my lawyer and I sent the full archive to the university in an attempt to resolve it cordially. Most of it was already on their servers. Not one knee was bent. They claimed to be reviewing it then fell silent pass the deadline. These officials are still in power. Student safety is still at risk.

I was dismissed:

Since then, I’ve submitted the entire archive to:

I also have confirmation from the NCDOJ that my complaint has merit. Methodist University has everything—emails, recordings, evaluations—and still chose silence. They’re preparing for a $120 million med school project with Cape Fear Valley at the end of May, and yet chose to ignore a breach, a whistleblower, and a chance to fix this.

I can’t let them bury this.

Please support the cause.

Why I’m Raising Funds

I am soon pursuing legal action against Methodist University for what I allege to be retaliation after I reported a FERPA privacy violation involving student Social Security numbers. Despite overwhelming evidence, the university ignored my resolution offer and chose silence. Now, I must move forward with litigation to expose what happened, clear my name, and protect future students from institutional abuse.

Legal action at this scale is expensive. While my attorney is committed to the case, there are still critical costs that must be covered to sustain this fight. Your support will help fund:

Court filing fees, service costs, and official document handling

Expert consultation and data review, if needed

Legal preparation for discovery, subpoenas, depositions, and potential trial

Secure archiving of evidence, communication tools, and document analysis

Outreach to oversight agencies, media, and student rights organizations

Ongoing public accountability efforts to ensure transparency in this case

I am not asking for help because I am unprepared. I am asking for help because I am standing alone against a powerful institution—and I believe no student who tells the truth should be silenced or destroyed for doing so.

Every dollar you give will directly support this campaign for justice, transparency, and protection of whistleblowers in higher education. If the university settles and my legal costs are reimbursed, I will use any remaining funds to establish a support fund for future students who face retaliation for speaking out.

What Happens to Unused Funds

I am committed to complete transparency throughout this process.

If the university settles and legal costs are reimbursed—or if any portion of the funds raised are not needed for litigation—I will donate the unused balance to nonprofit organizations that support student rights, whistleblower protection, and institutional accountability.

Organizations under consideration include those that:

Provide legal aid to student whistleblowers

Support educational privacy rights (FERPA-related)

Advocate for ethical reform in higher education

Offer mental health protection for students facing institutional retaliation

This fight is bigger than me. It’s about setting a precedent. If we succeed here, the impact can extend far beyond one case—and your contribution will help ensure that.

Supporting documents in updates section