Document: 464 U.S. 67 104 S.Ct. 373 78 L.Ed.2d 58 IRON ARROW HONOR SOCIETY, etc., et al.v.Margaret M. HECKLER, Secretary of Health and Human Services, al. No. 83-118. Nov. 14, 1983. PER CURIAM. 1 Petitioner, the Iron Arrow Honor Society, is an all-male honorary organization founded by first President University Miami to honor outstanding men. Traditionally, Society has conducted its initiation ceremony on a "tapping" mound outside student union building property. In 1972 Congress enacted § 901(a) Title IX Education Amendments, 20 U.S.C. 1681(a) (1976), in 1974 Department Health, Welfare promulgated regulations implementing statute. Regulation 86.31(b)(7) provides that "a recipient [of federal funds] shall not, basis sex: (7) [a]id or perpetuate discrimination against any person providing significant assistance agency, organization, which discriminates sex aid, benefit service students employees." 45 CFR (1975) (emphasis added) (recodified at 34 106.31(b)(7) (1982)). 2 1976 notified University's determination was rendering "significant assistance" within meaning regulation Arrow. The advised it wished comply with IX, but asked for time negotiate about changing membership policy; agreed, only upon condition ban campus until question resolved. 3 thereafter prohibited ceremony, responded suing United States District Court Southern Florida. It sought declaratory injunctive relief prevent from interpreting so as require Arrow's activities campus. held had no standing challenge Secretary's action regulations, this reversed Appeals Fifth Circuit. 597 F.2d 590, 591 (CA5 1979). then granted summary judgment Secretary, 499 F.Supp. 496 (SD Fla.1980), Circuit affirmed. 652 445 1981). We petition certiorari, vacated decision Circuit, remanded further consideration light North Haven Board v. Bell, 456 512, 102 1912, 72 299 (1982). See --- ----, 3475, 73 1363 On remand again affirmed one judge dissenting. 702 549 1983). 4 After our before wrote letter Chief stated unequivocal position cannot return nor conduct discontinues discriminatory policy. Letter Edward T. Foote II C. Rhea Warren (Sept. 23, 1982), reprinted Appendix Brief Federal Respondents, 1a-4a. Trustee Executive Committee adopted July 15, 1980, determining may if satisfies code all organizations, includes policy non-discrimination. President's moreover informed would maintain position, regardless outcome lawsuit. Specifically 5 "[t]he not what law requires. most important should do, fairness students, whether requires not. 6 * 7 To avoid ambiguity might be present because passage change administrations, I have instructed counsel inform Courts policy." 8 Id., 2a-4a original). he making public sending copy undergraduate members. 4a. 9 Both now response latest argued renders case moot. For reasons follow, we agree become moot during pendency litigation. 10 courts lack jurisdiction decide cases their constitutional authority extends actual controversies. DeFunis Odegaard, 416 312, 316, 94 1704, 1705, 40 164 (1974). satisfy Article III controversy requirement, litigant must suffered some injury can redressed favorable judicial decision. Simon Eastern Kentucky Rights Organization, 426 26, 38, 96 1917, 1924, 48 450 (1976). think resolution dispute between these parties redress asserted grievance. Whatever correctness interpretation question, unequivocally will allow property long refuses admit women. Thus how interpreted, extent faithfully implements statute, classically "moot." University, excludes 11 concluded divided vote could still grant F.2d, 552. take other steps addition banning example, abolish historical ties Arrow, refuse use name, etc. Ibid. court decided favor, issue injunction "would serve insulate plaintiffs appropriate additional enforcement actions." 12 Whether "appropriate actions," neither need decide, since requesting such steps, see 13, lawsuit doing so. Future positions taken bring issues into controversy, possibility simply too remote keep alive. Golden Zwickler, 394 103, 109, 89 956, 960, 22 113 (1969).1 13 rejecting argument moot, also relied line supporting proposition "[v]oluntary discontinuance alleged illegal activity does operate remove ambit power." 553 (quoting Walling Helmerich & Payne, 323 37, 43, 65 11, L.Ed. 29 (1944)). As dissent noted, however, those discuss voluntary challenged defendant moots 565, 567 (Roney, J., dissenting). But St. Paul Fire Marine Insurance Co. Barry, 438 531, 537-538, 98 2923, 2927-2928, 57 932 (1978) (involving subsequent acts third party). Defendants face heavy burden establish mootness otherwise they free "return [their] old ways" after threat passed. W.T. Grant Co., 345 629, 632, 894, 897, 97 1303 (1953). "there reasonable likelihood wrong repeated." 633, 897 (citation omitted). 14 This case, concerns effect party non-defendant.2 typical where order escape injunction. Indeed, Assuming "voluntary discontinuance" nonetheless applies different situation, expresses intention exclude Having announced courts, conclude there "no likelihood" later mind invite return. 15 Because irrespective lawsuit, it. Accordingly, writ vacate entry directing dismiss County Los Angeles Davis, 440 625, 634, 99 1379, 1384, 59 642 (1979); Munsingwear, 340 36, 39-40, 71 104, 106-107, 95 36 (1950). 16 Justice MARSHALL BLACKMUN deny certiorari. 17 BRENNAN, 18 my view, sufficiently dependent uncertain factual concerning future Appeals, issue. 19 STEVENS, "Simply stated, when presented are longer 'live' legally cognizable interest outcome." Powell McCormack, 395 486, 496, 1944, 1950, 23 491 remain "live;" continue disagree obligations imposes Miami. Nevertheless, holds directs concludes stake litigation.2 disagree. 21 When petitioners originally brought suit 1976, claimed lacked cut off funds relationship 1982, six years violating Amendments 1972, 86 Stat. 373, 1681(a), two law, year Court, president announcing "voluntarily" make respect followed throughout entire history University. That letter, alone, moot.3 Court's "voluntary" sever deprives outcome, hence case. well-settled cessation allegedly unlawful legality been placed issue.4 rationale rule straightforward: "mere case; did, compelled leave '[t]he . his ways.' " Phosphate Export Assn., 393 199, 203, 361, 364, 344 (1968) (1953)). Whenever risk ways," plaintiff continues outcome—its continuing subjected risk. am willing assume, dismissed, resume exactly fact means 24 Petitioners claim reason ended assertedly terminate financial unless severed Arrow.5 hang over head, help influence reaction attempt made persuade reexamine end assert injures them prevents reexamining coercive faces. persists; hence, mooted. 25 true states suit. says decision: "It injunction." Ante, 72. However, argued, do argue, termination funds. assurance voluntarily, without reference threat. preceding secretary's threat, clear mere insufficient occurs sanction. ceases sued, ways Quern Mandley, 436 725, 733 n. 7, 2068, 2073 56 658 (1978); 632-633, 897-898, Even demonstrate uneconomical activity, 202-204, 363-364, (1968).6 Similarly, defendant's discontinued entirely unrelated pendancy Freight Association, 166 290, 307-309, 540, 546, 41 1007 (1897). These principles apply regarding support under more suffice than cloud which, all, nothing another form sanction.7 26 know hold If were permitted litigate conclusion, threaten Arrow—if evaluation problem—the alumni well able Surely indicate mooted particularly successful prosecution litigation coercion. 27 While express opinion did violate me entitled decided, prevails, request fresh examination unhampered funding. took produce 1982 decision, fanciful suggest values consider reversing removed. short, 28 respectfully dissent. appears declaration rights pursuant 2201. F.Supp., 499. It, section seek generalized actions Secretary. Public Service Comm'n Wycoff 237, 241-249, 236, 239-243, 291 (1952). named action. join indispensable Fed.Rules Civ.Proc. assure award adequate prevailed. follow test mootness. See, e.g., Murphy Hunt, 455 478, 481, 1181, 1183, 353 (1982) (per curiam ); Parole Geraghty, 388, 396, 100 1202, 1208, 63 479 (1980). taking action, something none ask do. Government contend dismissal juncture appropriate; requests hearing Respondents 15-16, 18. sincerity heart, existence point presumably why dismissed rather evidentiary hearing. explanation, declines suggestion. City Mesquite Aladdin's Castle, Inc., 283, 289, 1070, 1074, 152 (1982); Allee Medrano, 802, 810-811, 2191, 2197-2198, 566 (1974); 318, 1706, (1974) (1968); Gray Sanders, 372 368, 375-376, 83 801, 805-806, 821 (1963); (1953); Helmerich, 42-43, 14-15, (1944); 309-310, 546-547, Lyons, 103 1660, 1665, 75 675 (1983). No finding purport finding. Reeves, Inc. Stake, 447 429, 434 2271, 2276 244 attempts distinguish arguing defendants lawsuits nondefendants. Putting aside defendant, party, itself seems recognize defendant. (citing ). U.S., 363-364. Moreover, doctrine normally applied just that.

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