Opinion ID: 2109211
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: The University's Power to Conduct the RIF

Text: Dr. Hahn argues that the University exceeded its authority to conduct a RIF because its current regulations governing RIFs do not apply to faculty members. According to the University regulations, faculty members may be separated from the University in five ways, including a RIF in accordance with the provisions of §§ 1451 through 1459 of this chapter. 8 DCMR § 1450.1(e) (1988). In 1992 the University revised its RIF regulations by repealing the existing sections 1451 through 1459 and promulgating new regulations in a new chapter 18. See 39 D.C. Register 4795 (1992). Dr. Hahn asserts that the new rules in chapter 18 do not explicitly apply to faculty and that, because the University repealed the faculty RIF provisions in sections 1451-1459, it currently has no provisions at all governing RIFs of faculty members and therefore lacks the authority to conduct one. There are two problems with this argument. First, Dr. Hahn did not make it either before the University president or in the Superior Court. As a result, we cannot consider it either. [C]ontentions not urged at the administrative level may not form the basis for overturning the decision on review. Goodman v. District of Columbia Rental Housing Comm'n, 573 A.2d 1293, 1301 (D.C.1990) (citation omitted); [1] accord, e.g., Dietrich v. District of Columbia Board of Zoning Adjustment, 320 A.2d 282, 287 (D.C.1974). Even if we were to reach the issue, however, the other problem is that the University's RIF regulations as published in chapter 18 do cover faculty members. Those regulations apply to all employees of the University in the Educational Service, except as provided otherwise in this section. 8 DCMR § 1800.1, 39 D.C. Register 4795. The Educational Service includes faculty members. See 8 DCMR § 1100.1 (1988) (Educational Service consists of all employees of the University except those in six categories, none of which includes faculty). Thus the University was acting in a manner consistent with its regulations when it conducted the RIF.