Legal Document

408 U.S. 593 92 Supreme Court Reporter 2694 33 United States Reports Lawyer’s Edition 2d Series KF101.8 U54 570 Charles R. PERRY et al., Petitioners,v.Robert Pacific KF135 P2 SINDERMANN, etc. Number 70—36. Argued Jan. 18, 1972. Decided June 29, Syllabus Respondent was employed in a state college system for 10 years, the last four as junior professor under series of one-year written contracts. The Regents declined to renew his employment next year, without giving him an explanation or prior hearing. then brought this action District Court, alleging that decision not rehire based on respondent's public criticism administration and thus infringed free speech right, Regents' failure afford hearing violated procedural due process right. granted summary judgment petitioners, concluding contract had terminated adopted tenure system. Appeals reversed grounds that, despite lack tenure, nonrenewal would violate Fourteenth Amendment if it fact protected speech, respondent could show he 'expectancy' re-employment, allow opportunity guarantee. Held: 1. Lack contractual right taken alone, did defeat claim First Amendments. therefore erred foreclosing determination contested issue whether exercise speech. Pp. 569—598. 2. Though subjective is by process, allegation de facto policy, arising from rules understandings officially promulgated fostered, entitled proving legitimacy job tenure. Such proof obligate requested where be informed nonretention challenge their sufficiency. 599—603. 430 Federal Reporter, 2nd 939, affirmed. W. O. Shafer, Odessa, Tex., petitioners. Michael Haw. Hawai‘i KFH45 A2 Gottesman, Washington, D.C., respondent. Mr. Justice STEWART delivered opinion Court. 1 From 1959 1969 respondent, Robert Sindermann, teacher State Texas. After teaching two years at University Texas San Antonio Junior College, became Government Social Science Odessa College 1965. He successive successful enough appointed, time, cochairman department. 2 During 1968—1969 academic however, controversy arose between administration. elected president Teachers Association. In capacity, left duties several occasions testify before committees Legislature, involved disagreements with policies college's Board Regents. particular, aligned himself group advocating elevation four-year status—a change opposed And, one occasion, newspaper advertisement appeared over name highly critical 3 Finally, May 1969, voted offer new year. issued press release setting forth allegations insubordination.1 But they provided no official statement reasons contract. And allowed basis nonrenewal. 4 alleged primarily freedom also provide Amendment's guarantee process. petitioners—members college—denied made retaliation argued obligation hearing.2 On these bare pleadings three brief affidavits filed respondent,3 It concluded 'no cause against (petitioners) since 31, has system.'4 5 939. First, held Since actual reason 'in total dispute' pleadings, court remanded case full fact. same 942—943. Second, constitutional re-employment. It, therefore, ordered aired upon remand. 943—944. We writ certiorari, 403 917, 91 2226, 29 694, we have considered along versus Roth, 564, 2701, 548. 6 * first question presented defeats hold does not. 7 For least quarter-century, clear even though person 'right' valuable governmental benefit government may deny any number reasons, there are some which rely. infringes constitutionally interests—especially, interest because associations, those freedoms effect penalized inhibited. This 'produce result (it) command directly.' Speiser Randall, 357 513, 526, 78 1332, 1342, 1460. interference rights impermissible. 8 applied general principle denials tax exemptions, supra, unemployment benefits, Sherbert Verner, 374 398, 404—405, 83 1790, 1794 1795, 965, welfare payments, Shapiro Thompson, 394 618, 627, n. 6, 89 1322, 1327 22 600; Graham Richardson, 365, 374, 1848, 1853, 534. But, most often, employment. Public Workers Mitchell, 330 75, 100, 67 556, 569, L.Ed. 754; Wieman Updegraff, 344 183, 192, 73 215, 219, 97 216; Shelton Tucker, 364 479, 485—486, 81 247, 250—251, 231; Torcaso Watkins, 367 488, 495—496, 1680, 1683—1684, 982; Cafeteria & Restaurant McElroy, 886, 894, 1743, 1748, 1230; Cramp Instruction, 368 278, 288, 82 275, 281, 285; Baggett Bullitt, 377 360, 84 1316, 12 377; Elfbrandt Russell, 384 11, 17, 86 1238, 1241, 16 321; Keyishian Regents, 385 589, 605—606, 87 675, 684—685, 17 629; Whitehill Elkins, 389 54, 88 184, 19 228; Robel, 258, 419, 508; Pickering Education, 391 563, 568, 1731, 1734, 20 811. regardless employee's other job. Compare supra. 9 Thus, re-employment 1969—1970 year immaterial claim. Indeed, twice before, specifically nontenured school teacher's predicated rights. supra; reaffirm holdings here. case, course, yet was, fact, foreclosed make showing when judgment. Hence, cannot now invalid. 11 agree genuine dispute 'whether refused impermissible basis—as reprisal rights.' F.2d, 943. testimony legislative statements policies. within Amendments' protection Plainly, present bona fide superiors matters concern may, termination grant exploration issue, improper. II 13 formal security continued irrelevant claim, relevant entirely dispositive. 14 today Constitution require contract, unless can somehow deprived 'liberty' 'property' employment, Roth either point justify favor. 15 Similarly, here been invoke protection. As mere rehired particular job, more, amount loss liberty.5 Nor property. allegations—which must construe favorably stage litigation—do raise College. interest, secured provision, less binding understanding fostered program, program. claimed others legitimately relied unusual provision Faculty Guide many years: 'Teacher Tenure: Administration wishes faculty member feel permanent long services satisfactory displays cooperative attitude toward co-workers superiors, happy work.' 18 Moreover, legitimate reliance guidelines Coordinating System person, like himself, who university seven more form tenure.6 offered prove period service than formally tenured colleges, officials retain him. 577, S.Ct., 2709, interests subject limited few rigid, technical forms. Rather, denotes broad range 'existing understandings.' Id., 2709. A person's purposes such mutually explicit support entitlement Ibid. clearly evidence supports sufficient 'cause' shown. Yet absence always foreclose possibility reemployment. example, law contracts most, all, jurisdictions agreements, formalized writing, 'implied.' Atlantic Corbin Contracts §§ 561—572A (1960). Explicit provisions supplemented agreements implied 'the promisor's words conduct light surrounding circumstances.' § 562. '(t)he meaning (the promisor's) acts found relating them usage past.' 21 teacher, position might able circumstances service—and facts—that Just 'common industry plant' supplement collective-bargaining agreement, Steelworkers Warrior Gulf Nav. Co., 363 574, 579, 80 1347, 1351, 1409, so unwritten law' certain employees shall equivalent particularly likely university, senior members its faculty, but nonetheless created practice. See C. Byse L. Joughin, Tenure American Higher Education 17—28 (1959).7 existence understandings, officials, absent 'sufficient cause.' disagree insofar given practices institution.' Proof property not, entitle reinstatement. request, 23 Therefore, while do wholly Appeals, remanding 24 Affirmed. 25 POWELL took part case. 26 Chief BURGER, concurring. 27 N Dec. Immigration Nationality Decisions concur Court's judgments opinions Perry Sindermann central both decisions underscore obscured comprehensive discussion cases. That relationship institution teachers essentially matter law. holds only state-employed law, express has, turn, guaranteed administrative context hinges makes very sharply: 28 'Property iterests . dimensions defined existing stem independent source ..' Because availability turns each abstention will arise future cases contesting If unclear, federal should, my view, abstain deciding hearing, should resort courts questions 30 BRENNAN, whom DOUGLAS joins, dissenting 71—162 31 Although Part 70 36, Brother MARSHALL 'respondent(s) (were) denied (their) contract(s) renewed (they were) respond.' U., 590, 2716, respondents were affirm 71—162, and, extent indicated MARSHALL, modify 32 part. decade decided suit claiming violation Amendment, Amendment. further proceedings. affirms Appeals. 34 holding fully stated 587, 2714, 548, direct enter entitling why disputed issues stated, defied attending committee meetings permit leave classes purpose. petitioners claimed, motion judgment, really insubordinate conduct. 1, granted, submitted whatever. short repeated complaint. findings conclusions Court—only lines long—are reported. suggested kind simply asserts 944. rejected approach U.S., 575, 14, 2708 14. portion guildelines, 'Policy Paper 1' October 16, 1967, reads: 'A. 'Tenure means assurance experienced expect continue adequate dismissal demonstrated fair following established procedures 'A specific undergirds integrity institution. colleges universities, components: '(1) Beginning appointment rank full-time instructor higher rank, probationary exceed including appropriate all institutions education. when, after term institutions, another institution, agreed writing (even thereby profession extended beyond normal maximum years). '(3) Adequate demonstrating professional incompetence, moral turpitude, gross neglect responsibilities.' alleges 'full-time instructor' 'tenure' provisions. '(p)roperty Constitution. defeated.

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