Opinion ID: 784482
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Hostile Educational Environment

Text: 31 Hayut claims Professor Young's Monica comments created a hostile educational environment for her. Section 1983 sexual harassment claims that are based on a hostile environment theory, like Hayut's, are governed by traditional Title VII hostile environment jurisprudence. See Annis v. County of Westchester, 136 F.3d 239, 245 (2d Cir.1998); Jemmott v. Coughlin, 85 F.3d 61, 67 (2d Cir. 1996). As a result, surviving summary judgment on a hostile environment claim under section 1983 (as under Title VII) requires evidence not only that the victim subjectively perceived the environment to be hostile or abusive, but also that the environment was objectively hostile and abusive, that is, that it was permeated with `discriminatory intimidation, ridicule, and insult,' ... that is `sufficiently severe or pervasive to alter the conditions' of, in this case, the victim's educational environment. See Harris v. Forklift Sys., Inc., 510 U.S. 17, 21, 114 S.Ct. 367, 126 L.Ed.2d 295 (1993) (citations omitted) (quoting Meritor Sav. Bank, FSB v. Vinson, 477 U.S. 57, 65, 106 S.Ct. 2399, 91 L.Ed.2d 49 (1986)); see also Tomka v. Seiler Corp., 66 F.3d 1295, 1305 (2d Cir.1995) (requiring that the harassment `has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual's ... performance or creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive ... environment.') (quoting Vinson, 477 U.S. at 65, 106 S.Ct. 2399), abrogated on other grounds by Burlington Indus., Inc. v. Ellerth, 524 U.S. 742, 118 S.Ct. 2257, 141 L.Ed.2d 633 (1998). 32 Making a hostility determination in the educational context, as in the employment context, entails examining the totality of the circumstances, including: the frequency of the discriminatory conduct; its severity; whether it is physically threatening or humiliating, or a mere offensive utterance; and whether it unreasonably interferes with the victim's academic performance. See Harris, 510 U.S. at 23, 114 S.Ct. 367. While the effect on a victim's psychological well-being is relevant to the subjective component in the analysis, its presence, or absence, is not dispositive on the issue of severity, as no single factor is required. Id. Finding the harassment pervasive means that the challenged incidents are more than episodic; they must be sufficiently continuous and concerted. Carrero v. New York City Hous. Auth., 890 F.2d 569, 577 (2d Cir.1989). There also must be evidence that the alleged discrimination was carried out because of sex. See Oncale v. Sundowner Offshore Servs., Inc., 523 U.S. 75, 80, 118 S.Ct. 998, 140 L.Ed.2d 201 (1998). Generally speaking, this analysis is fact-specific and, therefore, as in this case, is best left for trial. 33 As an initial matter, we note that Young does not dispute that he addressed Hayut as Monica or that he made the other Monica comments. He stated that the comments were intended to be taken in a joking manner but, later, characterized them as a form of discipline. Professor Young articulates no defenses for his conduct and, specifically, has never expressly asserted that the comments complemented his classroom curriculum or had any other legitimate pedagogical purpose that might merit the kind of First Amendment protection that has long been recognized in the academic arena. See, e.g., Keyishian v. Board of Regents, 385 U.S. 589, 603, 87 S.Ct. 675, 17 L.Ed.2d 629 (1967) ([Academic] freedom is ... a special concern of the First Amendment, which does not tolerate laws that cast a pall of orthodoxy over the classroom.); Tinker v. Des Moines Indep. Cmty. Sch. Dist., 393 U.S. 503, 506, 89 S.Ct. 733, 21 L.Ed.2d 731 (1969) (It can hardly be argued that either students or teachers shed their constitutional rights to freedom of speech or expression at the schoolhouse gate.). We, therefore, express no view on (a) whether such a defense could have been, or could still be, made, or (b) if made, whether this claim would entail issues of fact or law. 34 Additionally, we agree with the district court and find that Hayut has put forth sufficient evidence (principally her own testimony) to permit a reasonable factfinder to conclude that she subjectively found Professor Young's conduct offensive. Hayut II, 217 F.Supp.2d at 286. Accordingly, our analysis focuses on whether a jury could also find that Professor Young's conduct created an educational environment (a) which rose to an objective level of hostility on the basis of sex, and (b) which had an adverse effect on the terms and conditions of her educational experience. See Harris, 510 U.S. at 21, 114 S.Ct. 367. We think a jury could so construe the evidence. 35
36 The evidence presented permits a reasonable trier of fact to find that the comments were sufficiently pervasive to create a hostile environment. Professor Young allegedly uttered some form of Monica comment during many periods of instruction with Hayut and even, on occasion, outside the classroom. The classroom comments routinely occurred shortly after each period of instruction had begun and in front of a fully-assembled class. The evidence that Professor Young's conduct permeated the classroom atmosphere and set the tone for the whole class is sufficient to satisfy the pervasiveness requirement at the summary judgment stage. 37 We reject the district court's attempt to employ a mathematical equation of sorts to calculate the number of instances of misconduct in order to show that Professor Young's behavior did not pervade and color the classes throughout the entire semester. Hayut II, 217 F.Supp.2d at 287. The district court began, for example, by finding that during October 1998, Hayut missed approximately five classes in each of her courses with Professor Young (she took a two-week trip to Israel for her brother's bar mitzvah). Id. The court then calculated the remaining days in which Professor Young uttered a Monica comment in Hayut's presence, and deemed his remarks sporadic and infrequent, and, hence, non-actionable. We believe the court's approach to be erroneous for several reasons. 38 First, a rigid calculate and compare methodology ignores the proper role of courts which, at the summary judgment stage, is to construe all facts and draw all inferences in the light most favorable to the nonmovant. See Weyant, 101 F.3d at 854. Also, such an approach, if strictly followed, disregards Supreme Court guidance that hostile environment analysis is not, and by its nature cannot be, a mathematically precise test. Harris, 510 U.S. at 22, 114 S.Ct. 367. Because of the fact-specific and circumstance-driven nature of hostile environment claims, courts must be mindful that `the appalling conduct alleged in prior cases should not be taken to mark the boundary of what is actionable.' Whidbee v. Garzarelli Food Specialties, Inc., 223 F.3d 62, 70 (2d Cir.2000) (quoting Richardson v. New York State Dep't of Correctional Serv., 180 F.3d 426, 439 (2d Cir.1999)). And courts should not, themselves, attempt to establish an absolute baseline for actionable behavior. See id. 39 Additionally, as applied specifically to the facts in this case, we think the district court's approach to be flawed. The court did not adequately consider the fact that in just about half the periods of instruction taught by Professor Young which Hayut attended, Hayut was the target of Monica comments. These comments, moreover, were generally made at or near the beginning of the period, thereby setting the tone for the remainder of the class period. The court also ignored evidence that Professor Young continued the harassment by referring to Hayut, in her absence, as Monica. Professor Young's persistent mention of Monica when speaking of Hayut when she was not there can, of course, be relevant evidence in a discrimination claim. See Leibovitz v. New York City Transit Auth., 252 F.3d 179, 190 (2d Cir.2001) (recognizing harassing remarks made outside a plaintiff's presence as germane to a hostile work environment claim). Whether a factfinder will, on balance, decide that the remarks reached the objective level of pervasiveness required by law is not for us to say. It is quite sufficient that there be enough evidence in the record from which a reasonable jury could so conclude. And of that we have no doubt. 40
41 We also find sufficient evidence to permit a trier of fact to find that the Monica comments were severe enough to transcend the bounds of propriety and decency, let alone harmless humor, and become actionable harassment based on Hayut's sex. The Monica nickname — pulled from the headlines covering the contemporaneous Clinton/Lewinsky scandal — can readily be understood as having powerful sexual connotations and overtones. This is especially so in light of Professor Young's cigar and weekend comments. Each remark, while brief, was made against a backdrop of classroom discussions and press coverage of the most salacious developments in the scandal. A reasonable jury could find that the Monica statements were more than mere joking comments or occasional vulgar banter, but were sexually-charged and designed by Young to convey certain images about Hayut — that she enjoyed the same sexual implements as the real Monica Lewinsky and that Ms. Hayut was a willing participant in deviant sexual activity with Young himself.... Pl. Brief at 7. There is, moreover, evidence in the record that suggests that, by discussing the sordid details of the Clinton/Lewinsky scandal, Professor Young made Lewinsky the focal point and object of ridicule of some of his classes. By then directing Monica comments toward Hayut, Professor Young likewise made Hayut the object of ridicule. 42 The district court characterizes Young's conduct as highly offensive and obviously inappropriate. Hayut II, 217 F.Supp.2d at 287. We believe that this characterization of Young's conduct, and specifically of his comments of a sexual nature, given their frequency, compels the conclusion that a reasonable jury could find that his actions transcend[ed] coarse, hostile and boorish behavior and became actionable as a constitutional tort. Annis v. County of Westchester, 36 F.3d 251, 254 (2d Cir.1994). 43 The reactions of Hayut's peers and of various administrators at SUNY New Paltz are also significant to the mandated objective analysis. Hayut's testimony regarding the effect of Professor Young's behavior is corroborated by several individuals attending Professor Young's classes. These heard firsthand his Monica comments and testified that they, too, found the behavior embarrassing and offensive. Likewise, when first informed by Hayut about Professor Young's conduct, Dean Varbero considered the allegations to be serious. When Dean Varbero, Dean Benjamin, Professor Brownstein, Gail Gallerie, the Executive Assistant to the College President, and Grace Pell, the SUNY New Paltz AAO, convened a meeting, they all agreed that, if substantiated, Professor Young's conduct warranted formal action. 44 Young has never disputed that he engaged in the challenged conduct and there is no evidence that he singled out any other student for similar, recurring, treatment. Young maintains, however, that, as a matter of law, his comments do not rise to the level of actionable harassment. He suggests that the response of others, including Dean Benjamin, is not evidence of sexual harassment, but rather a layman's conclusion. But that is precisely the kind of question best reserved for the trier of fact. At a minimum, how others such as Dean Benjamin and Dean Varbero reacted upon learning of the conduct provides some evidence about the conduct's objectionable nature and, in this case, helps to create a triable issue of fact regarding the objectively offensive nature of Young's conduct. 45
46 Targeting Hayut for her likeness to Lewinsky was, without question, driven by Hayut's gender. The Monica nickname served as a springboard for yet more vulgar cigar, weekend, and lipstick comments, which were also not likely to have been uttered but for Hayut's gender. 7 Moreover, targeting Hayut because of her gender is consistent with evidence that Young exhibited hostility toward women generally, and made negative references to their proper societal status. All this is, of course, relevant to her claim. See Whidbee, 223 F.3d at 70 n. 9 (the environment as a whole is germane to an individual plaintiff's hostile environment claim) (citing Cruz v. Coach Stores, Inc., 202 F.3d 560, 570 (2d Cir.2000)). Accordingly, we find sufficient evidence in the record from which a trier of fact could conclude that Professor Young's conduct was motivated, at least in part, by Hayut's gender. 47
48 We also find enough evidence that Hayut was adversely affected by Professor Young's actions and that a reasonable person similarly-situated would have also been affected. Although Hayut's academic performance does not appear to have suffered during her time in Professor Young's classes (as compared to her prior performance at RCC and her later performance at Pace), she testified that, because of her treatment, she was unable to concentrate on her studies. Regardless of what external distractions may have weighed on Hayut during the Fall 1998 semester and contributed to her poor academic performance, Hayut also testified that she felt humiliation and emotional distress, did not want to attend classes, and was unable to sleep. That is enough to render this issue one for the trier of fact. See, e.g., Holtz v. Rockefeller & Co., Inc., 258 F.3d 62, 76 (2d Cir.2001) (finding that the victim's testimony about the effect on her ability to work due to the harassment creates a triable issue regarding the unreasonable interference of the harassment). 8 49 Nor do Hayut's admitted participation in class discussions despite the Monica comments, her failure to object initially to the comments, and her failure to report the conduct earlier to one of Professor Young's supervisors negate Hayut's evidence that she found the comments offensive and humiliating. Given the power disparity between teacher and student a factfinder could reasonably conclude that a student-victim's inaction, or counter-intuitive reaction, does not reflect the true impact of objectionable conduct. 50 In this case especially, in view of the evidence of Professor Young's dictatorial lecture style, frequent angry outbursts, general intimidation of students, and nonreceptiveness to student criticism or complaint, summary judgment cannot be based on Hayut's failure to object to, correct, or question Professor Young's conduct earlier in the period of alleged harassment. In order to be actionable, conduct need not be unendurable or intolerable. Whidbee, 223 F.3d at 70. And what students put up with, without objection or protest, does not mark the bounds of permissible classroom conduct. C.f. Vega v. Miller, 273 F.3d 460, 468 (2d Cir.2001) (holding, in a section 1983 action by discharged professor who alleged violation of his academic freedom, that what students will silently endure is not the measure of what a college must tolerate). Under the circumstances, it is entirely reasonable to believe that Hayut, in her first semester at SUNY New Paltz, was herself intimidated by Professor Young, and was hesitant to speak out for fear of potential verbal and academic backlash. 51 For the foregoing reasons, we find genuine issues of material fact regarding Hayut's section 1983 claim against Young. Accordingly, the district court's grant of summary judgment on this claim is vacated, the claim is reinstated, and the matter is remanded to the district court for further proceedings consistent with this opinion. 9 52