Legal Document

449 U.S. 250 101 Supreme Court Reporter 498 66 United States Reports Lawyer’s Edition 2d Series KF101.8 U54 431 DELAWARE STATE COLLEGE et al., Petitioners,v.Columbus baron RICKS. Number 79-939. Argued Oct. 7, 1980. Decided Dec. 15, Syllabus The Board of Trustees petitioner Delaware State College formally voted to deny tenure respondent professor on the basis recommendations College's committee and Faculty Senate. During pendency respondent's grievance before Board's committee, June 26, 1974, told him that pursuant policy he would be offered a 1-year "terminal" contract expire 30, 1975. Respondent signed contract, September 12, notified it had denied his grievance. After appropriate agency waived its primary jurisdiction over employment discrimination charge under Title VII Civil Rights Act 1964, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), April 28, 1975, accepted complaint for filing. More than two years later, EEOC issued "right sue" letter, filed this action in District 9, 1977. alleged, inter alia, discriminated against national origin violation both 42 Code KF62 § 1981. requires with within 180 days (300 certain circumstances) "after alleged unlawful practice occurred," 2000e-5(e). Under applicable statute limitations, cases 1981 must three unfavorable decision. dismissed claims as untimely. It held only was decision tenure, limitations periods commenced run by when officially contract. Appeals reversed, holding period did not commence until expired Held : Respondent's were Pp. 256-262. (a) allegations do support "continuing violation" argument motivated denying but also terminating occurred-and filing therefore commenced-at time made communicated respondent. This is so even though one effects denial tenure-the eventual loss teaching position-did occur later. 256-258. (b) Nor can final date adopted, reasons simplicity, commenced. Where, here, challenged occurs termination employment, necessarily date. 259-260. (c) been denied, cannot considered clear well then rejected bid, entertaining complaining does suggest prior any respect tentative. grievance, or some other method collateral review an decision, toll running periods, Electrical Workers versus Robbins & Myers, Inc., 429 229, 97 441, 50 427. 260-261. (d) Court's conclusion erroneous. In light earlier Senate receive formal vote established official position-and position apparent respondent-no later justified. 261-262. 605 Federal Reporter, 2nd 710, reversed remanded. Nicholas Haw. Hawai‘i KFH45 A2 Rodriguez, Dover, Del., petitioners. Judith E. Harris, Philadelphia, Pa., Justice POWELL delivered opinion Court. 1 question case whether respondent, college professor, timely complained civil rights laws academic because origin. 2 * Columbus Ricks black Liberian. 1970, joined faculty at College, state institution attended predominantly blacks. February 1973, Committee Promotions Tenure (the committee) recommended tenured education department. however, agreed reconsider following year. Upon reconsideration, adhered recommendation. month, committee's negative On March 13, Ricks. 3 Dissatisfied immediately Educational Policy committee), which May 1974 hearing took matter submission.1 administration continued plan Ricks' termination. Like many colleges universities, has discharging junior member who tenure. Rather, such person teach additional When expires, relationship ends. Adhering policy, 1975.2 without objection reservation 4, 1974. Shortly thereafter, 4 attempted file (EEOC) 78 Statutes-at-Large 253, amended, fair practices agencies have complaints. See 2000e-5(c). referred agency. jurisdiction, letter. 5 lawsuit 1977.3 1981.4 sustained motion dismiss concluded President n.2, supra. claim after Similarly, 3-year limitations.5 6 Third Circuit reversed. 710 (1979). essential allegation illegally. Id., 711. According Appeals, requirement, claim, court reasoned: 7 " '[A] terminated employee still working should required consult lawyer charges employer long working, employer's present intention terminate future.' 712, quoting Bonham Dresser Industries, 569 187, 192 (CA3 1977), cert. 439 821, 99 87, 58 113 (1978). 8 Egelston University Genesco, 535 752 (CA2 1976); cf. Noble Rochester, 756 1976). 9 believed initial sometimes might aggrieved expected resort litigation actually occurred. Prior judicial administrative remedies "likely side effect reducing employee's effectiveness during balance her term. Working relationships will injured, if sundered, process divert attention from proper fulfillment job responsibilities." F.2d, 712. Finally, thought rule focusing last day provide "bright line guide courts victims discrimination." 712-713. remanded trial merits claims. We granted certiorari. 444 1070, 100 1012, 62 751 (1980). 10 For follow, we think erred agree instead untimely.6 Accordingly, reverse. II 11 persons "within hundred eighty occurred." 2000e-5(e).7 plaintiffs suit n.5, while guaranteeing protection those promptly assert their rights, protect employers burden defending arising decisions are past. Johnson Railway Express Agency, 421 454, 463-464, 95 1716, 1722, 44 295 (1975); see Air Lines, Incorporated Evans, 553, 558, 1885, 1889, 52 571 (1977). 12 Determining timeliness complaint, ensuing lawsuit, us identify precisely "unlawful practice" complains. now insists Tr. Oral Arg. 25, 31-32. effect, claiming result expired. squared complaint. Mere continuity more, insufficient prolong life cause discrimination. supra, 1889. If intended complain discriminatory discharge, identified acts until, occurred of, actual employment. But alleges no facts.8 13 Indeed, contrary true. appears delayed, inevitable, consequence order allege prove manner differed discriminatorily professors suggestion treated differently unsuccessful aspirants. accord practice, explicit notice end upon expiration. 14 sum, Ricks.9 That Ninth correctly held, similar case, "[t]he focus acts, consequences became most painful." Abramson Hawaii, 594 202, 209 (1979) (emphasis added); U.S., S.Ct., simply "gives past illegal act perpetuates forbidden same 557, 1888. emphasis decisions; rather, "is [upon] exists." 1889 original). III 15 conclude foregoing notified. remaining inquiry identification Atlantic 16 Three dates advanced argued parties. As indicated above, contended relying continuing-violation theory. contention fails, shown, absence facts it. relevant different found 711, nevertheless adopted "final employment" primarily reasons. Supra, 255-256. Although view virtue simplicity,10 discussion Part demonstrates fallacy general application. Congress decided "alleged practice." date, date.11 forgotten time-limitations provisions themselves promoted important interests; "the allowed instituting inevitably reflects value judgment concerning point interests favor protecting valid outweighed prohibiting prosecution stale ones." 1721-1722.12 Mohasco Corporation Silver, 447 807, 820, 825, 2486, 2494, 2496, 65 532 B 17 EEOC, amicus brief, contends alternative denied. asserts that, purposes computing decision.13 Two possible lines reasoning underlie argument. First, could Trustees' expression intent become argument, notes 26 letter explicitly out possibility Second, first expressed position, periods. 18 find either persuasive. former, bid. itself characterized "official position." Ibid. apparent, course, willingness change meritorious. procedure, nature, remedy opportunity influence made. 19 latter already 427 (1976).14 existence careful procedures assure fairness obscure principle normally Cf. id., 234-235, 446.15 Contract 20 1974-1975 school say By twice tenure; recommendation; tenure.16 unbroken array decisions, justified concluding Ricks-no 1974.17 21 reverse remand may reinstate dismissing 22 Reversed 23 STEWART, whom BRENNAN MARSHALL join, dissenting. 24 N Immigration Nationality Decisions ante, 257-259, nn. 8, 9. Nevertheless, believe reading reveals plausible finally confirmed accept faculty's recommendation given 25 Therefore, unlike Court, allegedly date.1 noted 260, n. succeeds proof, certainly timely, depend Department Labor entitled 300 act, rather days' limitation assumed applicable.2 A brief examination Trustees, quoted 2, provides reasonable effectively 12. informed "intent renew" And suggested informing ensure technical compliance American Association Professors requirements decide abide acceptance expressly stated "no way knowing" what outcome be, Educational's favorable "of course . supersede previous taken Board." 27 Thus, regarded actions tentative preliminary, pending thorough triggered request Committee. acknowledges expresses considers procedure changed part overall making Ricks, able original response virtually subject reopening extreme cases, preliminary advance next conventional stage process.3 28 Whether accurate is, factual resolve here. lost dismiss. wrongly granted, determination issue. 202 (CA9). 29 would, therefore, vacate make then, necessary, Commission. 30 STEVENS, 31 custom widely followed universities offering terminal adverse my judgment, analogous personnel giving weeks' discharge. My evaluation perhaps best explained analogy. 32 reference points arguably determine discharge accrues: (1) decides relationship; (2) employee; (3) becomes effective. sensible establishes accrues begins run. wrongful change; more importantly, effective least difficulty dispute.1 33 apply here identifying actionable. Geneseo, 752, 755 Thus analysis began reaching conclusion, characterize violation"; nor teacher remains school's employ indefinite based she ultimately discharged. regard one, denies offers case. situation all respects comparable another and, due give Both interest harmonious relations relationship,2 certainty kind,3 result. 34 these reasons, affirm appeals. almost 711 1979). Nothing record, rendered stated: Dr. Dear Ricks: endorsed 11, meeting, grant you aware, heard your coming Chairman me forthcoming sometime July. comply 1971 Trustee Manual AAUP amount needed notification non-reappointment non-tenured members, choice follow according process, thus, notify renew 1974-75 Please understand knowing being consistent matters kind. Should recommend concur recommendation, Board. Sincerely yours, /s/Walton Simpson, addition itself, defendants (petitioners Court) Walton William Davis, G. Dix, Edward W. Hagemeyer, James C. Hardcastle, Delma Lafferty, Williams, S. Young, Burt Pratt, Luna I. Mishoe, Pierre duPont IV (ex officio); dean, M. Milford Caldwell (now deceased); department chairman, George McLaughlin; members Romeo Henderson, Harriet R. Arthur Bragg, Ora Bunch, Ehsan Helmy, Vera Powell, John Price, Herbert Thompson, Richard Wynder, Ulysses Washington, Jane Laskaris. Section provides: "All shall right every Territory enforce contracts, sue, parties, evidence, full equal benefit proceedings security property enjoyed white citizens, like punishment, pains, penalties, taxes, licenses, exactions kind, other." law. 462, 1721, (1975). parties law years. Because filed, cognizable circumstances, extended days. 2000e-5(e); Sixteen paragraphs describe detail sequence events surrounding denial. paragraph mentions departure State, nothing fact suggesting variety unusual incidents year, including McLaughlin, physically attacked incident resulted McLaughlin's conviction assault. Counsel conceded oral independent discrimination, 29-30, evidence used trial. Complaints varying circumstances. sought occurring application principles discussed herein case-by-case basis. Brief Amicus Curiae 19-22; significant final-date-of-employment permit affairs acrimony engendered lawsuit. true tend deter efforts conciliation." 461, 1720. "natural effec[t] made," ibid., requiring practice," conceivable Appeals' discourage "grace period," State's seek elsewhere. critical timely. Counting days, EEOC. curiae own n.7, hold need VII. 300-day period. Schlei Pacific KF135 P2 Grossman, Discrimination Law 235 (1979 Supp.), cited therein. aspirants ignore available opportunities reconsideration. requests reconsider, extend laws. recognize, soon difficult layman invoke statutes. Oscar Mayer company 441 750, 761, 2066, 2073 (1979); Love Pullman Co., 404 522, 526-527, 92 616, 618, 679 (1972). But, stated, there abundantly forewarned. NLRB Yeshiva University, 672, 677, 856, 859, 63 115 (1980), university boards trustees customarily rely professional expertise faculty, particularly about hiring, termination, promotion. affirming entirely predictable. repeated acknowledged through hoped persuade position. focused meeting. complaints counting treats finding clearly Ante, stressed pleadings, never determinations allow "initially instituted" local authority relief. 532. To provision, 90 120 discovered, whichever Del.Code Ann., Tit. 19, 712(d)(1979). Neither agency, significance agency's waiving charge, questions appropriately addressed remand. policies model Professors, Documents (1977); Regents Roth, 408 564, 578-579, 17, 2701, 2710, 548; 9-10, whose relied explaining few occasion consider issue context preceding recognized ceases perform services employer, payment benefits accrued vacation ceases, limitations. (1978); Krzyzewski Metropolitan Government Nashville Davidson County, 584 802, 804-805 (CA6 1978). special force setting. occurrence, necessitate employed. prejudice reconsideration impair teacher's performance regular duties. relatively short weeks. lies choosing easily identifiable avoiding involvement final. "prevailing practices" higher education, maximum flexibility often reconsidered, take better 6-11.

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