STEPHEN McCAULEY, Plaintiff v. UNIVERSITY OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS, SEAN GEORGES in his individual and official capacities, DR. LAVERNE RAGSTER, in her individual and official capacities, and JON and/or JANE DOES I through X, Defendants
McCauley v. University of the Virgin Islands
STEPHEN McCAULEY, Plaintiff v. UNIVERSITY OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS, SEAN GEORGES in his individual and official capacities, DR. LAVERNE RAGSTER, in her individual and official capacities, and JON and/or JANE DOES I through X, Defendants
STEPHEN McCAULEY, Plaintiff v. UNIVERSITY OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS, SEAN GEORGES in his individual and official capacities, DR. LAVERNE RAGSTER, in her individual and official capacities, and JON and/or JANE DOES I through X, Defendants
Civil No. 2005-188
District Court of the Virgin Islands St. Thomas and St. John Division
August 21, 2009
Darren J. Baptiste, Esq., St. Thomas, USVI, For the Plaintiff.
Marie E. Thomas-Griefith, ESQ., St. Thomas, USVI, For the Defendants.
GÓMEZ, Chief Judge
MEMORANDUM OPINION
(August 21, 2009)
This matter was tried on May 11, 2009. Pursuant to Rule 52(a) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, the Court now enters its findings of fact and conclusions of law.
I. FINDINGS OF FACT
At all times relevant to this action, Stephen McCauley ("McCauley") was a student at the University of the Virgin Islands ("UVI," or the "University"). Sean Georges ("Georges") is the director of student housing at UVI. At all times relevant hereto, Dr. LaVeme E. Ragster ("Ragster"), was the president of the University.
McCauley first enrolled at the University in the fall of 2005. During McCauley's tenure at the University, student life was governed by the University of the Virgin Islands Student Handbook 2005-2006 (the "Handbook"), which includes a Code of Student Conduct (the "Code") that lists prohibited behavior and sanctions for particular violations. The Handbook was provided to McCauley during the first week of student orientation.
On the night of September 30, 2005, a group of UVI students, including McCauley, went to a local beach. Sometime that night, two members of the group, Josh Carlson ("Carlson") and Jenna Piasecki ("Piasecki"), moved about ten to fifteen feet away from the group. Piasecki then performed a sexual act upon Carlson. Piasecki and Carlson later rejoined the group. Thereafter, the group left the beach and returned to campus.
On October 1, 2005, Carlson was charged with the rape of Piasecki, based on the events that occurred the previous night on the beach. Also on October 1, 2005, McCauley and two Mends visited Piasecki's dormitory room to talk to her about the alleged rape.
Piasecki thereafter complained to University officials that McCauley had harassed her. In October, 2005, Georges first advised McCauley that Piasecki had made complaints of harassment against him. Georges also advised McCauley to stay away from Piasecki if he wanted to avoid the commencement of University judicial proceedings. McCauley was subsequently approached a second time in connection with Piasecki's complaints that he had harassed her, and was warned by Jay Wiltshire and Robin Olson of campus security to avoid all contact with Piasecki.
On or about November 7, 2005, McCauley received Notice of Charges (the "November 2005 Notice"), which stated that he was being charged by the University with failing to obey a lawful directive of a University official and with hazing and harassment. The November 2005 Notice charges McCauley with violating the following University policies:
Hazing-Harassment: Committing, conspmng to commit, or causing to be committed any act which causes or is likely to cause serious physical or mental harm or which tends to injure or actually injure, Mghtens, demeans, degrades or disgraces any person. This includes but is not limited to violation of the University's policies on hazing, sexual harassment or sexual assault.
Failure to comply with the lawful direction of a University Official: Failure to comply with the directions of University or other law enforcement officers, or University officials in the proper performance of their duties.
(Plaintiff's Ex. 5, Notice of Charges 1, Nov. 7,2005.) McCauley plead not guilty to the charges listed in the November 2005 Notice.
After receiving the November 2005 Notice, McCauley posted a photograph of himself and Piasecki on a social networking website called Myspace.com. The picture bore the caption, "Fat sluts need loving, too." McCauley testified at Mai that he posted the photograph out of frustration and anger about the charges against him, and that he intended the posting to offend Piasecki. McCauley testified during the trial that the charges contained in the November 2005, Notice stemmed from his posting of Piasecki's picture on Myspace.com, as well as from allegations made by Piasecki that McCauley made indecent remarks to her at an off campus bar.
As a result of the harassment of Piasecki, McCauley was also criminally charged with tampering with a witness. He agreed to pretrial intervention in 2006. He also agreed to perform sixty hours of community service for the tampering charge, and paid a fee of $275 to Pretrial Intervention Services.
The University agreed to allow McCauley's criminal case to proceed to conclusion before it would commence any disciplinary hearings as a result of the November 2005, Notice. Consistent with that agreement, between November 7, 2005, and April, 2009, the University did not move forward on any proceedings related to the November 2005 Notice of Charges against McCauley.
On November 10, 2005, McCauley commenced the above-captioned action for damages and injunctive relief against UVI, Georges, Ragster, and Jon and/or Jane Does I through X, who are identified in McCauley's complaint as certain unnamed University students, employees, and officials involved with implementing disciplinary procedures against UVI students. Count One of McCauley's complaint alleges that the Defendants violated 42 U.S.C. § 1983 ("Section 1983") by enacting regulations that impermissibly infringe on McCauley's rights to free expression and due process of law. Count Two alleges that the Defendants violated Section 1983 by enacting regulations that impermissibly infringe on McCauley's right to freedom of association.
McCauley received a second Notice of Charges, dated March 31, 2009 (the "March 2009 Notice"), which listed the same charges as the November 2005 Notice, and also added a charge against McCauley for violating the University's drug and alcohol policy. Additionally, the March 2009 Notice stated that the charges were based on: McCauley's visit to Piasecki's dormitory room on October 1, 2005; an allegedly harassing telephone call McCauley made to Piasecki on October 18, 2005; and McCauley's allegedly harassing conduct directed toward Piasecki at an off-campus bar on October 20, 2005.
On April 28, 2009, the University conducted its disciplinary proceedings against McCauley based on charges contained in the March 2009 Notice. McCauley was found guilty of Hazing-Harassment, and of Failure to Comply with a Lawful Directive of a University Official. McCauley was ordered by the University to write a letter of apology to Piasecki and to pay a fine in the amount of $200.
A bench trial in this matter was conducted on May 11, 2009. During the trial, McCauley indicated that he was challenging Paragraphs B, C, D, E, H and R of the Code. McCauley testified on his own behalf at the trial, describing the ways in which he was adversely affected by the challenged provisions of the Code. During the trial, McCauley argued that, by bringing charges against him based on the above-mentioned conduct, the University violated his First Amendment rights. After the close of the evidence, McCauley verbally moved to amend his Complaint to conform to the evidence. Specifically, he wished to include an as-applied challenge to the Code provisions in question. At the conclusion of the trial, McCauley stated that he wished to dismiss the due process challenges alleged in his complaint. The Court construes that statement as a withdrawal of such claims.
On August 20, 2009, the Court granted McCauley's motion to amend, and permitted McCauley to file a Third Amended Complaint (the "Complaint"). In addition to Counts One and Two described above, the Third Amended Complaint contains a third count, embodying McCauley's as-applied challenge. Count Three of the Complaint, asserts, inter alia, that
Plaintiff, by being subjected to actual or potential disciplinary proceedings for, inter alia, "[cjornmitting, conspiring to commit, or causing to be committed any act which causes or is likely to cause serious physical or mental harm or which tends to injure or actually injures, frightens, demeans, degrades or disgraces any person" has been unlawfully forced to limit and/or refrain from engaging in constitutionally protected speech both on and off campus out of fear that anything he may do or say may be actionable under the Code of Conduct.
Defendants, acting under color of territorial and/or federal law, have enacted regulations that deprived Plaintiff of his guaranteed and clearly established rights to freedom of expression, speech, and association under the First Amendment.
(Third Am. Compl. 12-13, ¶[¶ 55, 57, May 21, 2009.)
I!. CONCLUSIONS OF LAW
A. Standing
As a threshold matter, the Court must determine whether McCauley has standing to bring this action. See, e.g., Addiction Specialists, Inc. v. Twp. of Hampton, 411 F.3d 399, 405 (3d Cir. 2005) ("As a threshold matter, . we must first address whether [the plaintiff] has standing to bring its . claims in federal court."). In addition to being a constitutional inquiry, standing is also subject to certain prudential limitations that reflect the need for judicial restraint. See, e.g., Joint Stock Soc'y v. UDV N. Am., Inc., 266 F.3d 164, 179 (3d Cir. 2001) ("The requirements of prudential standing serve to avoid deciding questions of broad social import where no individual rights would be vindicated and to limit access to the federal courts to those litigants best suited to assert a particular claim") (internal quotations omitted).
As a general matter, in order to establish Article III standing, a plaintiff
must demonstrate "injury in fact" — a harm that is both "concrete" and "actual or imminent, not conjectural or hypothetical." Second, he must establish causation — a "fairly... traceable" connection between the alleged injury in fact and the alleged conduct of the defendant. And third, he must demonstrate redressability — a "substantial likelihood" that the requested relief will remedy the alleged injury in fact. These requirements together constitute the "irreducible constitutional minimum" of standing, which is an "essential and unchanging part" of Article Ill's case-or-controversy requirement, and a key factor in dividing the power of government between the courts and the two political branches.
Vermont Agency of Natural Res. v. United States ex rel. Stevens, 529 U.S. 765, 771, 120 S. Ct. 1858, 146 L. Ed. 2d 836 (2000) (internal citations omitted).
In the First Amendment context, however, the requirement that a litigant raise his own legal rights and interests is relaxed. See Pennsylvania Prison Soc. v. Cortes, 508 F.3d 156, 169 (3d Cir. 2007); see also City of Lakewood v. Plain Dealer Pub. Co., 486 U.S. 750, 756, 108 S. Ct. 2138, 100 L. Ed. 2d 771 (1988) ("In the area of freedom of expression it is well established that one has standing to challenge a statute on the ground that it delegates overly broad licensing discretion... ."). As the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit has explained,
Under the First Amendment overbreadth doctrine, even though a party whose conduct could constitutionally be proscribed by statute may not normally be heard to complain that the statute . is so broad that it proscribes constitutionally protected conduct, courts will allow the party to raise the claims of others when protected speech is at issue. Courts do so out of concern that protected speech will be chilled by the statute.
Service Employees Int'l. Union, Local 3 v. Municipality of Mt. Lebanon, 446 F.3d 419, 423 (3d Cir. 2006); see also Conchatta, Inc. v. Miller, 458 F.3d 258, 263 (3d Cir. 2006) ("Alitigant may challenge a statute as substantially overbroad under this principle 'even though the conduct of the [litigant] is clearly unprotected and could be proscribed by a law drawn with the requisite specificity.' " (quoting New York v. Ferber, 458 U.S. 747, 769, 102 S. Ct. 3348, 73 L. Ed. 2d 1113 (1982)). "Litigants, therefore, are permitted to challenge a statute not because their own rights of free expression are violated, but because of a judicial prediction or assumption that the statute's very existence may cause others not before the court to refrain from constitutionally protected speech or expression." Broadrick v. Oklahoma, 413 U.S. 601, 612, 93 S. Ct. 2908, 37 L. Ed. 2d 830 (1973).
However, litigants bringing such challenges must still satisfy the constitutional requirement of injury-in-fact by showing that "their own constitutionally unprotected interests will be adversely affected" by application of the rule in question. Service Employees Int'l. Union, Local 3, 446 F.3d at 423 (stating that "[w]e are not free to hear a party's facial challenge to a . . . regulation that is wholly inapplicable to the party"). In determining standing, the Court "must accept as true all material allegations set forth in [the plaintiff's] complaint and must construe those facts in favor of the plaintiff[]." Mariana v. Fisher, 338 F.3d 189, 205 (3d Cir. 2003) (citation omitted); see also Storino v. Borough of Point Pleasant Beach, 322 F.3d 293, 296 (3d Cir. 2003) (citing Warth v. Seldin, 422 U.S. 490, 501, 95 S. Ct. 2197, 45 L. Ed. 2d 343 (1975)).
Here, McCauley brings both facial and as-applied challenges to certain provisions of the Code, claiming that they violate the First Amendment rights of free expression and association. It is undisputed that McCauley is a student enrolled at UVI, and as such, is subject to the provisions of the Handbook and Code. McCauley alleged that he studies in "an environment where almost any speech or action can be actionable under the UVI code of conduct." (Third Am. Compl. 7, ¶ 39, May 21, 2009.). McCauley further alleges that "[t]he UVI Code of conduct has a chilling effect on [his] and other students' right to freely and openly engage in appropriate discussions on theories, beliefs, ideas, and to debate such ideas with persons holding opposing viewpoints." (Id. at 7, ¶ 40.) Furthermore, McCauley claims that he has personally been harmed by the challenged Code provisions because he has been subject to disciplinary action for violating them. Those assertions constitute harm that is more than merely speculative. McCauley therefore has standing to challenge the constitutionality of provisions of the UVI Handbook and Code of Conduct at issue in this case. See, e.g., Bair v. Shippensburg Univ., 280 F. Supp. 2d 357, 365 (M.D. Pa. 2003) (holding that a student and recent graduate of a university has standing to bring First Amendment challenges to the university's speech code based on allegations that their "past, and . . . continuing, fears of prosecution pursuant to the Code of Conduct have had a chilling [ejffect on their speech").
B. Merits
To succeed on a claim under Section 1983, a plaintiff must show that: (1) the defendants are "persons" within the meaning of the statute; (2) the defendants acted under color of law; and (3) their actions deprived him of rights secured by the Constitution or federal statutes. See 42 U.S.C. § 1983; Anderson v. Davila, 125 F.3d 148, 159, 37 V.I. 496 (3d Cir. 1997). Thus, the Court must determine whether the defendants are "persons" within the meaning of Section 1983, whether they acted under color of law, and whether their actions deprived McCauley of his rights under the First Amendment.
1. "Persons" Under Section 1983
McCauley has brought Section 1983 claims against UVI, Georges, in his official and individual capacities, Ragster, in her official and individual capacities, and Jon and/or Jane Does I through X. However, McCauley failed to identify and serve Jon and/or Jane Does I through X with the complaint and summons prior to trial. McCauley has also not offered any reason why he could not have identified and properly served these defendants. Accordingly, the Court will dismiss McCauley's claims against Jon and/or Jane Does I through X. Parker v. United States, 197 Fed. Appx. 171, 173 n.1 (3d Cir. 2006) (holding that John Doe defendants in an inmate's Bivens action who were never identified and served with the complaint were properly dismissed because the inmate did not offer any reason why he could not have identified and properly served them) (unpublished). The Court will consider McCauley's claims to be lodged against UVI, Georges, in his official and individual capacities, Ragster, in her official and individual capacities.
i. UVI
Neither the Virgin Islands government, nor its employees acting in their official capacities, are "persons" for purposes of liability under Section 1983, Brow v. Farrelly, 994 F.2d 1027, 1037, 28 V.I. 345 (3d Cir. 1993). Since the Virgin Islands government is not a "person," entities functioning as "arms" or "alter egos" of the territory will be similarly immune from liability under Section 1983. Eddy v. V.I. Water and Power Auth., 955 F. Supp. 468, 476, 35 V.I. 441 (D.V.I. 1997).
Where a state college or university is considered an "arm of the state," courts have held that the institution may not be sued for monetary or injunctive relief under Section 1983. See, e.g., Gaby v. Bd. of Trustees of Community Technical Colleges, 348 F.3d 62 (2d Cir. 2003) (holding that the plaintiff failed to state a claim for injunctive relief under Section 1983 against the board of trustees of a state college because "it is clear that the Board of Trustees, as an entity, is not a state official"); McLaughlin v. Bd. of Trustees, 215 F.3d 1168, 1172 (10th Cir. 2000) (holding that a suit seeking injunctive relief against a state college board of trustees failed to state a claim against a "person" for purposes of Section 1983, and noting that "[i]f [the plaintiff] had sued a state official instead of the Board, he could have argued the viability of his claim for prospective injunctive relief . . . ."); Kaimowitz v. Bd. of Trustees, 951 F.2d 765, 767 (7th Cir. 1992) (holding, in an action seeking declaratory and monetary relief against the Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois, that "a state university is not a person within the meaning of § 1983 and therefore not subject to suits brought under § 1983"). Thus, the Court must decide whether UVI is an "alter ego" or "arm of the state" in order to determine whether UVI qualifies as a "person" for purposes of Section 1983 liability.
An entity is properly characterized as an "arm of the state" "when a judgment against it would have essentially the same practical consequences as a judgment against the State itself." Bowers v. Nat'l Collegiate Athletic Ass'n, 475 F.3d 524, 545-46 (3d Cir. 2007) (citation and quotations omitted). It is appropriate to consider three major criteria when determining whether an entity is an "arm" or "alter ego" of the state: (1) the status of the entity under Virgin Islands law; (2) whether the payment of the judgment would come from the Territory, and; (3) the degree of autonomy enjoyed by the entity. See Febres v. Camden Bd. of Educ., 445 F.3d 227, 229 (3d Cir. 2006). Each of the above three criteria is equally important. Benn v. First Judicial Dist. of Pa., 426 F.3d 233, 239-40 (3d Cir. 2005) (rejecting the primacy historically given to the funding factor).
a. Status of UVI Under Virgin Islands Law
The analysis of an entity's status under Virgin Islands law is broken into four sub-factors: (a) whether the entity can sue or be sued in its own right; (b) whether the entity is immune from territorial taxation; (c) whether the entity is separately incorporated; and (d) how the territory treats the entity generally. Febres, 445 F.3d 227, 230 (3d Cir. 2006). With respect to UVI, these factors do not clearly weigh in one direction.
On one hand, UVI has several attributes of an independent entity. Title 17, chapter 33 of the Virgin Islands Code ("Chapter 33") outlines the scope of UVI's authority. The University has "perpetual succession" and the power to "sue and be sued" under territorial law. 17 V.I.C. § 454(a). UVI also has the power to own and transfer property, to enter into contracts, and to contract debts. Id. at § 454(a), (c). Finally, UVI's activities must comply with "any law made . . . generally applicable to independent instrumentalities of the Government of the United States Virgin Islands . . . ." Id. at 453(b).
On the other hand, UVI has many characteristics of an alter ego of the sovereign. Chapter 33 created UVI as "an instrumentality of the Government of the United States Virgin Islands[.]" 17 V.I.C. § 451. The property UVI holds for authorized purposes, as well as the bonds it issues, are exempt from Virgin Islands taxes. See id. at § 459(b). All of UVI's property and funds are exempt from judicial process. See id. at § 459(a).
Though UVI has many attributes associated with independence, the factors relating to UVI's status under territorial law weigh toward the conclusion that UVI is an arm of the state.
b. Autonomy
The autonomy factor requires an evaluation of the degree of independence from the Virgin Islands government exercised by UVI. See Bowers v. National Collegiate Athletic Ass'n, 475 F.3d 524, 548 (3d Cir. 2007) (explaining the focus of the autonomy factor).
A seventeen-member Board of Trustees (the "Board") controls UVI. The Board consists of the Chairman of the Board of Education of the Virgin Islands, the Commissioner of Education, the President of the University, at least six individuals who have been residents of the Virgin Islands for a minimum of five years, a student member, a full-time teaching faculty member, and an alumni member. See 17 V.I.C. § 455.
Several facts support the conclusion that UVI is an instrumentality of the state. For example, the governor of the Virgin Islands, with the advice and consent of the Legislature of the Virgin Islands, appoints the majority of the Board members. See id. at § 455(2). The governor may remove any Board member appointed by him for cause. See id. Although UVI has the power to apply for and accept funds from public and private sources for authorized purposes, all allotment requests for such funds must be made "by direct application to the Commissioner of Finance." Id. at § 454(e). The property UVI holds for authorized purposes is considered "public property used for essential public and governmental purposes." Id. at § 459(b). Similarly, the bonds issued by UVI "are declared to be issued for an essential public and government purpose . . . ." Id. at § 460(e). All money acquired by the University must be deposited and maintained in an account administered in accordance with the Commissioner of Finance of the Virgin Islands. See id. at 494-95. The Act also requires UVI to account to the Commissioner of Finance for all money it acquires. Additionally, the Board must report to the Governor annually regarding the University's fiscal activities, a description of the activities of the University including class enrollments, an outline of plans for the future, and requests for additional legislation it deems necessary to accomplish its programs and policies. Id. at § 497.
Weighing toward independent status, the University is authorized to prescribe regulations for its own governance, to employ a President, aa well as other professional and nonprofessional personnel. See id. at § 454(d). The President of the University "shall serve as its chief executive officer, and shall have the power to appoint and remove all professors, lecturers, instructors, and all other professional and nonprofessional personnel in accordance with rules and regulations promulgated by the Board." Id. at § 457(a). Chapter 33 grants UVI the power to make its own regulations, acquire debt, contract on its ow behalf, and to acquire, manage, and dispose of real and personal property. Id. at § 454(a), (c), (d). The University is also authorized to issue bonds "in its discretion," and to execute numerous types of pledges and covenants in connection therewith. See id. at § 460, 462.
The Court recognizes that UVI enjoys a degree of autonomy. On balance, however, the autonomy criteria weigh in favor of the conclusion that UVI is an "arm of the state." See, e.g., Peters v. Del. River Port Auth., 16 F.3d 1346, 1350-52 (3d Cir. 1994) (holding that, despite the agency's separate corporate existence, power to enter into contracts, hold property, and set and collect tolls, "the significant control the states have through appointing the [agency]'s Board weighs slightly in favor of the [agency]'s being an alter ego of the states."); Fitchik, 873 F.2d at 663 (finding that the autonomy factor only slightly favored immunity where three out of seven Commissioners were members of the state's executive branch, the board was required to deliver minutes of its meetings to the Governor, and the Governor had veto power over the board's actions).
c. Funding
The funding criteria serve to determine whether the judgment would ultimately be satisfied using Virgin Islands government funds. See Independent Enterprises, Inc., 103 F.3d at 1173 (citing Fitchik, 873 F.2d at 659). Three sub-factors comprise this inquiry: (1) whether payment would come from the territory's treasury, (2) whether the entity has the funds to satisfy the judgment, and (3) whether the Virgin Islands government has immunized itself from responsibility for the entity's debts. See id.
With respect to the first sub-factor, the following facts suggests that the payment would not deplete local government funds. A separate Fund is maintained to receive, manage, and dispose of the University's money. See id. at § 491-97. The University is empowered to issue such types of bonds as it "may determine" "for any of its corporate purposes or projects." Id. at 460(a). It is also authorized to issue "refunding bonds for the purpose of paying or retiring bonds previously issued . . . ." Id. The Board of Trustees is authorized to "make every effort to secure gifts, grants, and loans to the University of the Virgin Islands Fund" from various sources. Id. at § 496. However, such gifts, grants and loans are to be used for the purposes specified by the donor. Id. Additionally, the fact that the legislature of the Virgin Islands has authorized the annual appropriation of government funds for purposes of the University suggests that payment of a judgment against UVI might deplete the territory's treasury.
As to the second sub-factor, none of the parties have presented any evidence of UVTs ability to satisfy a money judgment against it. It is unclear whether would have sufficient assets to pay a potential judgment without asking for assistance from the Virgin Islands government. Cf. Christy, 54 F.3d at 1146-47 (noting that even in the absence of evidence regarding an agency's budget, the court could conclude that an agency with the power to raise rates could raise revenues to satisfy a judgment without asking for state assistance).
As to the third sub-factor, the Virgin Islands legislature has explicitly attempted to immunize the territorial government from liability for UVI's financial obligations in connections with its bonds. Title 17, section 460(d) of the Virgin Islands Code ("Section 460(d)") provides:
The bonds and other obligations of the University (and the bonds and obligations shall so state on their face), shall not be a debt of the Virgin Islands (which may be referred to as the 'state') or any political subdivision thereof and neither the Virgin Islands nor any political subdivision thereof shall be liable thereon, nor in any event shall such bonds or obligations be payable out of any funds or properties other than those of the University, and shall not constitute an indebtedness within the meaning of any constitutional or statutory debt limitation or restriction.
17 V.I.C. § 460(d). Indeed, while the Virgin Islands government (or any political subdivision) is authorized to assist UVI in various ways, the Court is unaware of any authority suggesting that the territorial government would have any affirmative responsibility to satisfy UVI's financial obligations. Therefore, the third sub-factor disfavors "arm of the state" status. See, e.g., Bowers, 475 F.3d at 547 ("[I]f a State is not under a legal obligation to satisfy a judgment, then any increase in expenditures in the face of an adverse judgment is considered a voluntary or discretionary subsidy not entitled to EleventhAmendmentprotections.") (emphasis in original); Christy, 54 F.3d at 1147 ("Although the Commonwealth might well choose to appropriate money to the Commission to enable it to meet a shortfall caused by an adverse judgment, such voluntary payments by a state simply do not trigger [Eleventh Amendment] immunity." (citation and quotation omitted)).
Accordingly, the funding factor weighs slightly against the conclusion that UVI is an "arm of the state." See, e.g., Christy, 54 F.3d at 1147-48 (3d Cir. 1995) (finding that the funding factor disfavored immunity where a judgment against the agency would not be paid from the state's treasury, the Court could presume the agency had or could raise sufficient funds to pay the judgment, and the state would not be obligated to pay a potential judgment against the agency); Ballentine v. V.I. Port Auth., 955 F. Supp. 480, 483-84, 35 V.I. 472 (D.V.I. 1997) (finding that the funding criteria weighed against immunity where: a judgment against VIPA would not technically affect the funds in the Virgin Islands treasury, it was unsettled whether VIPA had sufficient funds to pay a judgment, and the government had attempted to immunize itself against VIPA's liabilities).
d. Totality of the Factors
On balance, the totality of the factors demonstrates that UVI is an "arm of the state," so it is entitled to sovereign immunity. Consequently, UVI is not considered to be a "person" subject to liability under Section 1983. Accordingly, the Court will dismiss McCauley's claims against UVI.
ii. Georges and Ragster
As stated above, McCauley has brought Section 1983 claims against Georges and Ragster in both their official and individual capacities. It is clear that Georges and Ragster, in their individual capacities, are considered to be "persons" for purposes of Section 1983 liability. Cf. Barton v. Curtis, 497 F.3d 331, 49 V.I. 1125 (3d Cir. 2007) (explaining that even state officials sued in their individual capacities are considered "persons" within the meaning of Section 1983).
Regarding McCauley's official-capacity claims against Georges and Ragster, because the Court has already determined that UVI is an "arm of the state" immune from damage liability under Section 1983, employees of UVI acting in their official capacities will be similarly immune from damage liability under Section 1983. See Nibbs v. Roberts, 31 VI. 196, 208 (D.V.I. App. Div. 1995) (holding that an officer of the Virgin Islands government is subject to damage liability under Section 1983 in his individual capacity only, not in his official capacity). Therefore, to the extent McCauley brings claims for damages against Georges and Ragster in their official capacities, such claims must fail. On the other hand, to the extent McCauley seeks prospective injunctive relief against Georges and Ragster in their official capacities, such claims may proceed "because official-capacity actions for prospective relief are not treated as actions against the State." Will v. Michigan State Dep't of Police, 491 U.S. 58, 71 & n. 10,109 S. Ct. 2304,105 L. Ed. 2d 45 (1989) (quotation omitted).
2. Color of Law
The Supreme Court has held that an individual is acting under color of state law when exercising power "possessed by virtue of state law and made possible only because the wrongdoer is clothed with the authority of state law." Polk County v. Dodson, 454 U.S. 312, 317-18, 102 S. Ct. 445, 70 L. Ed. 2d 509 (1981) (quotation omitted). Thus, "state employment is generally sufficient to render the defendant a state actor." West v. Atkins, 487 U.S. 42, 49, 108 S. Ct. 2250, 101 L. Ed. 2d 40 (1988) (quotation omitted). "For purposes of a section 1983 action, a defendant necessarily 'acts under color of state law when he abuses the position given to him by the State.' " Hayut v. State Univ. of New York, 352 F.3d 733, 744 (2d Cir. 2003) (quoting West, 487 U.S. at 50; see also Christian v. Belcher, 888 F.2d 410, 414 (6th Cir. 1989) ("[B]efore a defendant may be held liable under section 1983, that defendant must first possess power by virtue of state law, then misuse that power in a way that violates federal constitutional rights.").
Here, it is undisputed that Georges is the director of student housing at UVI, and that Ragster is the president of UVI. There is no evidence in the record to suggest that Georges or Ragster committed any conduct in connection with this matter that could reasonably be construed as anything but actions done under the authority vested in them by virtue of their employment with UVI. Indeed, McCauley's claims against Georges and Ragster are based on their involvement in enacting regulations in the University Handbook and Code. Under these circumstances, Georges and Ragster may be considered to be state actors for purposes of Section 1983. Cf. Hayut, 352 F.3d at 744 ("A professor at a state university is vested with a great deal of authority . by virtue of that position. When a professor misuses that authority in the course of performing his duties, he necessarily acts under color of state law for purposes of a section 1983 action.").
3. Deprivation of Rights
i. Facial Challenges
McCauley contends that the conduct of Georges and Ragster (together, the "Defendants") in enacting the regulations contained in the Handbook and Code infringed upon his First Amendment rights of free speech, expression, and association.
a. Count One: Freedom of Speech and Expression
In Count One of his Complaint, McCauley contends that certain provisions of the Code violate his First Amendment rights of free speech and expression because they are facially overbroad.
As the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit has explained, under the First Amendment overbreadth doctrine,
A regulation of speech may be struck down on its face if its prohibitions are sufficiently overbroad-that is, if it reaches too much expression that is protected by the Constitution. The... policy can be found unconstitutionally overbroad if "there is a 'likelihood that the statute's very existence will inhibit free expression' " to a substantial extent.
Sypniewski v. Warren Hills Reg'l Bd. of Educ., 307 F.3d 243, 258-59 (3d Cir. 2002) (citations omitted). However, the Third Circuit has also cautioned that "most cases alleging unconstitutional enforcement of a public school's disciplinary policies, like other laws, are best addressed when (and if) they arise, rather than prophylactically through the disfavored mechanism of a facial challenge." Id. (quotations omitted). "For these reasons, courts will not strike down a regulation as overbroad unless the overbreadth is 'substantial in relation to the [regulation's] plainly legitimate sweep.' " Id. (quoting Broadrick v. Oklahoma, 413 U.S. 601, 615, 93 S. Ct. 2908, 37 L. Ed. 2d 830 (1973)). "Furthermore, in response to an overbreadth challenge, a policy can be struck down only if no reasonable limiting construction is available that would render the policy constitutional." Id. Thus, "every reasonable construction must be resorted to, in order to save a statute from unconstitutionality." Saxe v. State Coll. Area Sch. Dist., 240 F.3d 200, 211 (3d Cir. 2001).
In addressing First Amendment challenges in the educational context, it is important to note that there is a difference between the extent to which a school may regulate speech in a public university setting as opposed to a public elementary or high school setting. As the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit has explained, "in the context of a public elementary or high school, the special needs of school discipline are an important consideration in regulating speech." DeJohn v. Temple Univ., 537 F.3d 301, 315-16 (3d Cir. 2008) (quotations omitted). However, public colleges and universities are granted less leeway to restrict speech than public elementary and high schools. See id.
The Supreme Court of the United States addressed the scope of a student's right to free speech while in school in Tinker v. Des Moines Independent Community School District, 393 U.S. 503, 89 S. Ct. 733, 21 L. Ed. 2d 731 (1969). In that case, a group of high school and junior high school students were suspended from school for wearing black armbands to protest the Vietnam war. The students sued the school district, challenging their suspension on First Amendment grounds. The Supreme Court held that the wearing of the arm bands was constitutionally protected speech. The Court explained:
The school officials banned and sought to punish petitioners for a silent, passive expression of opinion, unaccompanied by any disorder or disturbance on the part of petitioners. There is here no evidence whatever of petitioners' interference, actual or nascent, with the schools' work or of collision with the rights of other students to be secure and to be let alone. Accordingly, this case does not concern speech or action that intrudes upon the work of the schools or the rights of other students.
Id. at 504.
"Under Tinker, then, regulation of student speech is generally permissible only when the speech would substantially disrupt or interfere with the work of the school or the rights of other students. . . . Tinker requires a specific and significant fear of disruption, not just some remote apprehension of disturbance." Saxe, 240 F.3d at 211.
However, there are exceptions to Tinker's requirement of a threat of substantial disruption. First, in Bethel School District No. 403 v. Fraser, 478 U.S. 675, 106 S. Ct. 3159, 92 L. Ed. 2d 549 (1986), the Supreme Court held that "schools, as instruments of the state, may determine that the essential lessons of civil, mature conduct cannot be conveyed in a school that tolerates lewd, indecent, or offensive speech and conduct[.]" Id. at 683 (emphasis added). "According to Fraser, then, there is no First Amendment protection for 'lewd,' 'vulgar,' 'indecent,' and 'plainly offensive' speech in school. Fraser permits a school to prohibit words that 'offend for the same reasons that obscenity offends." Saxe, 240 F.3d at 213.
Second, in Hazelwood School District v. Kuhlmeier, 484 U.S. 260, 108 S. Ct. 562, 98 L. Ed. 2d 592 (1988), the Supreme Court held that a school may "exercis[e] editorial control over the style and content of student speech in school-sponsored expressive activities as long as [its] actions are reasonably related to legitimate pedagogical concerns." Id. at 273 (emphasis added). This standard "governs only when a student's school-sponsored speech could reasonably be viewed as speech of the school itself." Saxe, 240 F.3d at 213-14.
Speech falling outside the categories of lewd, vulgar or profane language permitted to be regulated under Fraser, or school-sponsored speech permitted to be regulated under Hazlewood is subject to Tinker's general rule that student speech may be regulated only if it would substantially disrupt the school operations or interfere with the rights of others. See Saxe, 240 F.3d at 214.
Before proceeding to analyze the particular Code provisions at issue in this case, it is also important to keep in mind that "non-expressive, physically harassing conduct is entirely outside the ambit of the free speech clause[.]" DeJohn, 537 F.3d at 316. However "[w]hen laws against harassment attempt to regulate oral or written expression on such topics, however detestable the views expressed may be, we cannot turn a blind eye to the First Amendment implications. 'Where pure expression is involved,' anti-discrimination law 'steers into the territory of the First Amendment.' " Saxe, 240 F.3d at 206 (quoting DeAngelis v. El Paso Mun. Police Officers Ass'n, 51 F.3d 591, 596 (5th Cir. 1995)). As the Third Circuit has explained, "there is no harassment exception to the First Amendment's Free Speech Clause; that is, we have found no categorical rule that divests 'harassing' speech . of First Amendment protection." DeJohn, 537 F.3d at 316 (quoting Saxe, 240 F.3d at 210). Indeed, " '[h]arassing' or discriminatory speech, although evil and offensive, may be used to communicate ideas or emotions that nevertheless implicate First Amendment protections." Saxe, 240 F.3d at 209. Thus, "[i]f there is a bedrock principle underlying the First Amendment, it is that the government may not prohibit the expression of an idea simply because society finds the idea offensive or disagreeable." Texas v. Johnson, 491 U.S. 397, 414, 109 S. Ct. 2533, 105 L. Ed. 2d 342 (1989).
In sum, content-based restrictions may be permissible when the content classification merely "happens to be associated with particular 'secondary effects' of the speech, so that the regulation is 'justified without reference to the content of the . . . speech.' " R.A.V. v. City of St. Paul, 505 U.S. 377, 112 S. Ct. 2538, 120 L. Ed. 2d 305 (1992). However, "the government may not prohibit speech under a 'secondary effects' rationale based solely on the emotive impact that its offensive content may have on a listener: 'Listeners' reactions to speech are not the type of 'secondary effects' we referred to in Renton. . . . The emotive impact of speech on its audience is not a 'secondary effect.' " Saxe, 240 F.3d at 209 (quoting Boos v. Barry, 485 U.S. 312, 321, 108 S. Ct. 1157, 99 L. Ed. 2d 333 (1988); see also United States v. Playboy Entertainment Group, 529 U.S. 803, 120 S. Ct. 1878, 1885, 146 L. Ed. 2d 865 (2000) ("The overriding justification for the regulation is concern for the effect of the subject matter on [listeners]. . . . This is the essence of content-based regulation."); Forsyth County v. Nationalist Movement, 505 U.S. 123, 134, 112 S. Ct. 2395, 120 L. Ed. 2d 101 (1992) ("Listeners' reaction to speech is not a content-neutral basis for regulation.").
With these principles in mind, the Court turns to the question of whether the challenged Code provisions unconstitutionally chill the rights of McCauley and other UVI students to free speech and expression.
1. "Aiding and Abetting or Complicity in Threatening Bodily Harm and/or Committing Bodily Harm to a Person."
McCauley first challenges Section IV, paragraph C of the Code ("Paragraph C"), which prohibits as a major infraction "Aiding and Abetting or Complicity in Threatening Bodily Harm and/or Committing Bodily Harm to a Person." Paragraph C states, inter alia, that:
Students present during the commission of an act(s) by another which constitutes [inflicting or threatening to inflict bodily harm or coercing or restraining any person while on or about University premises] and who fail to report such act(s) to the proper University authorities shall be guilty of complicity to commit bodily harm to a person.
(Plaintiff's Ex. 1, Handbook and Code 36, ¶ C.)
During the trial, McCauley articulated his challenge to Paragraph C as follows:
[I]t's possible for someone to be present when an act is committed and not be aware that this act is a violation. And in that case that person would then be in violation of the provisions of the Code of Conduct.
(Trial Tr. 79, May 11, 2009.)
With respect to Paragraph C, McCauley has failed to meet his burden of persuading the Court that Paragraph C adversely impacts the rights of McCauley or any other student to free speech and expression. Accordingly, the Court will dismiss Count One of the Complaint insofar as it relates to Paragraph C.
II. "Hazing-Harassment"
McCauley next challenges Section IV, paragraph E of the Code ("Paragraph E"), which prohibits "Hazing-Harassment" as a major infraction. "Hazing-Harassment" is defined to mean:
Committing, conspiring to commit, or causing to be committed any act which causes or is likely to cause serious physical or mental harm or which tends to injure or actually injures, frightens, demeans, degrades or disgraces any person. This includes but is not limited to violation of the University policies on hazing, sexual harassment, or sexual assault.
(Plaintiff's Ex. 1, Handbook and Code 37, ¶ E.)
This provision is most easily analyzed when broken down into elements. It bans (1) committing, conspiring to commit, or causing to be committed any act; (3) which either: (i) causes or is likely to cause serious physical or mental harm, or (ii) tends to injure or actually injures, frightens, demeans, degrades or disgraces any person.
The term "act" may be reasonably interpreted to encompass expressive speech, not just physical conduct. See, e.g., Bair v. Shippensburg Univ., 280 F. Supp. 2d 357, 370 (M.D. Pa. 2003) ("[T]he provision of the Code prohibiting acts of intolerance directed at others . could certainly be interpreted as prohibiting speech that is protected by the First Amendment."). The provision can therefore be applied to restrict speech based on its content. Indeed, under Paragraph E, speech that tends to injure, frighten, demean, disgrace, or degrade is prohibited, whereas speech that people find unobjectionable is allowed.
Paragraph E clearly encompasses more than lewd, vulgar, or profane language. It is also not limited to school-sponsored speech. As such, Paragraph E must satisfy the Tinker standard for restrictions on speech.
In DeJohn v. Temple University, 537 F.3d 301 (3d Cir. 2008), the Third Circuit addressed the issue of whether a University's sexual harassment policy, which bears some resemblance to the Hazing-Harassment policy contained in Paragraph E, passed constitutional must under Tinker. The Temple policy provided:
For all individuals who are part of the Temple community, all forms of sexual harassment are prohibited, including the following: an unwelcome sexual advance, request for sexual favors, or other expressive, visual or physical conduct of a sexual or gender-motivated nature when .(c) such conduct has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual's work, educational performance, or status; or (d) such conduct has the purpose or effect of creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive environment.
Id. at 316.
The Third Circuit criticized that language, stating that
the policy's use of "hostile," "offensive," and "gender-motivated" is, on its face, sufficiently broad and subjective that they could conceivably be applied to cover any speech of a "gender-motivated" nature "the content of which offends someone." This could include "core" political and religious speech, such as gender politics and sexual morality. Absent any requirement akin to a showing of severity or pervasiveness-that is, a requirement that the conduct objectively and subjectively creates a hostile environment or substantially interferes with an individual's work-the policy provides no shelter for core protected speech.
Id. at 317-18. Ultimately, the court found that Temple's policy was incapable of a limiting construction, and struck down the policy as unconstitutional.
Like the sexual harassment policy at issue in DeJohn, Paragraph E can clearly be applied to restrict speech on the basis that its content tends to frighten, demean, degrade, or disgrace another person. A broad array of speech could fall within that provision. The restriction contained in Paragraph E is not limited to speech that occurs on the University campus, but rather covers any speech by a UVI student, without regard to location. Significantly, Paragraph E restricts speech based on its tendency to cause certain emotional reactions in others. The terms "frighten, demean, degrade, [and] disgrace" are subjective, as some people may feel frightened, demeaned, degraded or disgraced by a comment that other students find perfectly acceptable. As in DeJohn, there is no requirement of pervasiveness or severity in this prong of Paragraph E. Paragraph E therefore covers any speech, the content of which offends another. Furthermore, the parties have not offered, nor is the Court aware of, any narrowing construction of the provision that would save it from this overbreadth challenge.
Therefore, in order to pass constitutional muster, the University must offer a "particularized reason as to why it anticipates substantial disruption from the broad swath of student speech prohibited under the Policy." Saxe, 240 F.3d at 217; see also DeJohn, 537 F.3d at 317 (explaining that "a school must show that speech will cause actual, material disruption before prohibiting it"). Indeed, Tinker requires the University to put forth facts which might reasonably have led school authorities to forecast "a specific and significant fear of disruption, not just some remote apprehension of disturbance." Saxe, 240 F.3d at 214; see also Sypniewski v. Warren Hills Regional Bd. of Educ., 307 F.3d 243, 265 (3d Cir. 2002) ("What is required is that the school has a well-founded fear that the material at issue would substantially disrupt or interfere with the work of the school or the rights of other students." (quotation omitted)).
"Tinker does not require disruption to have actually occurred." Lowery v. Euverard, 497 F.3d 584, 591 (6th Cir. 2007). Rather, the inquiry focuses on whether the school has demonstrated that its forecast of substantial disruption is reasonable under the circumstances by determining whether "the banned conduct would likely trigger disturbances such as those experienced in the past." Barr v. Lafon, 538 F.3d 554, 565 (6th Cir. 2008). Thus, while the particular type of speech in question need not have already caused disturbance, the institution's background and history of turmoil is nonetheless relevant in determining whether its forecast of future substantial disruption is reasonable. See Sypniewski, 307 F.3d at 266 (noting that "[especially in the school setting, restrictive policies are appropriately targeted to the special features of the given context").
Here, the University points to McCauley's actual intimidation and harassment of Piasecki as an example of the type of disruption it seeks to prevent with the Hazing-Harassment policy in Paragraph E. Aside from the conduct giving rise to the instant case, the University has pointed to no other history of turmoil to form a basis for predicting that speech covered by Paragraph E would cause future disturbance. Cf. Bair v. Shippensburg Univ., 280 F. Supp. 2d 357, 372 (M.D. Pa. 2003) (holding that a university failed to show a substantial threat of disturbance because it "made no attempt to demonstrate that Shippensburg University suffers from a history of conflict such that an expectation of disruption may be characterized as 'well-founded' "). In fact, the University does not even assert that it forecasts a threat of substantial disturbance in the future as a result of such speech.
Moreover, as the Third Circuit explained in DeJohn, "[u]nder Tinker, students may express their opinions, even on controversial subjects, so long as they do so 'without colliding with the rights of others.' " DeJohn, 537 F.3d at 319 (quoting Tinker, 393 U.S. at 512). While it is clear that a school has a compelling interest in preventing harassment, "unless harassment is qualified with a standard akin to a severe or pervasive requirement, a harassment policy may suppress core protected speech." Id. at 320. For this reason, the court in DeJohn found that a policy restricting speech that creates a " 'hostile or offensive environment' . could encompass any speech that might simply be offensive to a listener, or a group of listeners, believing that they are being subjected to or surrounded by hostility." Id. Thus, the Third Circuit concluded that such policy "cover[ed] much more speech than could be prohibited under Tinker's substantial disruption test." Id.
Here, UVI's policy restricting speech that may "frighten, demean, degrade, or disgrace" is similarly difficult to cabin. While it is clear that speech amounting to "fighting words" would not be protected, see Chaplinsky v. New Hampshire, 315 U.S. 568, 572-73, 62 S. Ct. 766, 86 L. Ed. 1031 (1942), here, as in DeJohn, Paragraph E encompasses much more speech than that which could reasonably be found to cause a threat of substantial disruption. See Sypniewski, 307 F.3d at 265 (explaining that "disruption for purposes of Tinker must be more than the discomfort and unpleasantness that always accompany an unpopular viewpoint" (quotation omitted)).
Accordingly, the Court finds that Paragraph E is unconstitutionally overbroad.
III. Misbehavior at Sports Events, Concerts, and Social-Cultural Events
McCauley also challenges paragraph R of the Code ("Paragraph R"), which prohibits as a major infraction "Misbehavior at Sports Events, Concerts, and Social-Cultural Events," defined as "[displaying in the field house any, softball field, soccer field, cafeteria and Reichhold Center for the Arts any unauthorized or obscene, offensive or obstructive sign." (Plaintiff's Ex. 1, Handbook and Code 38, ¶ R.)
The displaying of signs is certainly a form of expressive speech. See Naser Jewelers, Inc. v. City Of Concord, N.H., 513 F.3d 27 (1st Cir. 2008) ("Billboards and other signs are protected by the First Amendment . . . ."). Paragraph R restricts speech only in specified locations: the Field House, softball field, soccer field, cafeteria and Reichhold Center for the Arts. At first glance, this provision appears to be a "place restriction," subject to intermediate scrutiny. See McTernan v. City Of York, PA, 564 F.3d 636, 645 (3d Cir. 2009). Significantly, however, the provision does not ban the displaying of all signs in those locations, but only "unauthorized or obscene, offensive or obstructive sign[s]." It does not ban all speech in a certain place. Rather, the Misbehavior at Sports Events provision restricts only certain signs based on their content. Therefore, the restriction cannot be justified as a content-neutral time, place, or manner restriction. See Reno v. ACLU, 521 U.S. 844, 879, 117 S. Ct. 2329, 138 L. Ed. 2d 874 (1997) ("[T]ime, place and manner" analysis not applicable when statute "regulates speech on the basis of its content"); Pacific Gas & Elec. Co. v. Public Util. Comm'n, 475 U.S. 1, 20, 106 S. Ct. 903, 89 L. Ed. 2d 1 (1986) ("[F]or a time, place, or manner regulation to be valid, it must be neutral as to the content of the speech"); Consolidated Edison Co. v. Public Serv. Comm'n, 447 U.S. 530, 536, 100 S. Ct. 2326, 65 L. Ed. 2d 319 (1980) ("[A] constitutionally permissible time, place, or manner restriction may not be based upon either the content or subject matter of speech").
To the extent Paragraph R bans the displaying of obscene signs, such restriction is justified under Fraser. See Saxe, 240 F.3d at 213 (explaining that "Fraser permits a school to prohibit words that offend for the same reasons that obscenity offends") (quotations omitted).
On the other hand, to the extent Paragraph R bans unauthorized or offensive signs, this portion of Paragraph R may fall within the exception outlined in Hazelwood for school-sponsored speech. In Hazelwood, the Supreme Court upheld a principal's deletion of student articles on teen pregnancy from a school-sponsored newspaper against a First Amendment challenge. The Court explained that the school had not opened the newspaper up as a public forum and therefore could "exercis[e] editorial control over the style and content of student speech in school-sponsored expressive activities as long as [its] actions are reasonably related to legitimate pedagogical concerns." Hazelwood School District, 484 U.S. at 273. It reasoned that
[t]he question whether the First Amendment requires a school to tolerate particular student speech-the question that we addressed in Tinker-is different from the question whether the First Amendment requires a school affirmatively to promote particular student speech. The former question addresses educators ' ability to silence a student's personal expression that happens to occur on the school premises. The latter question concerns educators' authority over school-sponsored publications, theatrical productions, and other expressive activities that students, parents, and members of the public might reasonably perceive to bear the imprimatur of the school.. . Educators are entitled to exercise greater control over this second form of student expression. .
Id. at 270-71 (emphasis added).
"Hazelwood's permissive 'legitimate pedagogical concern' test governs only when a student's school-sponsored speech could reasonably be viewed as speech of the school itself." Saxe, 240 F.3d at 213-14 (emphasis added). As the Supreme Court explained in Rosenberger v. Rector & Visitors of University of Virginia, 515 U.S. 819, 115 S. Ct. 2510, 132 L. Ed. 2d 700 (1995):
[W]hen the State is the speaker, it may make content-based choices. When the University determines the content of the education it provides, it is the University speaking, and we have permitted the government to regulate the content of what is or is not expressed when it is the speaker or when it enlists private entities to convey its own message____It does not follow, however... that viewpoint-based restrictions are proper when the University does not itself speak or subsidize transmittal of a message it favors but instead encourage[s] a diversity of views from private speakers. A holding that the University may not discriminate based on the viewpoint of private persons whose speech it facilitates does not restrict the University's own speech, which is controlled by different principles.
Id. at 834. Under this standard, "school sponsorship of student speech is not lightly to be presumed." Saxe, 240 F.3d at 214.
Here, the University has not argued that the type of speech prohibited by Paragraph R is school-sponsored. Nonetheless, the Court recognizes that the displaying of signs by students in the Field House, softball field, soccer field, cafeteria, or Reichhold Center for the Arts may reasonably be viewed as speech of the University itself. Furthermore, the Court finds that the restrictions outlined in Paragraph R are reasonably related to "legitimate pedagogical concerns." Indeed, the University has a legitimate interest in controlling the messages contained on signs displayed in the locations covered by Paragraph R.
Accordingly, the Court finds that Paragraph R is not unconstitutionally overbroad.
IV. Verbal Assault, Lewd, Indecent, or Obscene Conduct or Expressions on University Owned or Controlled Property or at University Sponsored or Supervised Functions
McCauley also challenges Section IV, paragraph B of the Code ("Paragraph B") prohibits as a general infraction "Verbal Assault, Lewd, Indecent, or Obscene Conduct or Expressions on University Owned or Controlled Property or at University Sponsored or Supervised Functions." (Id. at 39, fB.) During the trial, the Court engaged in the following exchange with McCauley regarding Paragraph B:
THE COURT: All right. Well, it speaks to "verbal assault, lewd, indecent or obscene conduct or," I guess, "obscene expressions on university-owned or controlled property."
Is it — are you saying that you wish to express yourself in an obscene, lewd, indecent manner, or verbally assault others on university property?
That's what you're being deprived of?
[MCCAULEY]: No, sir. I do not wish to do that.
(Trial Tr. 85-86, May 11, 2009.)
The Court finds that McCauley has failed to meet his burden of establishing how Paragraph B infringes upon his First Amendment rights. Accordingly, the Court will dismiss Count One with respect to Paragraph B.
V. Conduct which Causes Emotional Distress
The final Code provision challenged by McCauley is Section IV, paragraph H of the Code ("Paragraph H"). Paragraph H bans as a minor infraction "Conduct which Causes Emotional Distress," which "includes conduct which results in physical manifestations, significant restraints on normal behavior or conduct and/or which compels the victim to seek assistance in dealing with distress." (Id. at 41,1 H.)
Unlike the provisions of Paragraphs E and R found to be unconstitutional, the prohibition embodied in Paragraph H is qualified. It restricts only speech of such a severe nature as to cause "physical manifestations," "significant restraints on normal behavior," or which "compels the victim to seek assistance in dealing with distress." Thus, Paragraph H does not restrict speech that is merely offensive to a listener. Rather, it is reasonable to assume that the type of speech encompassed by Paragraph H includes only speech that significantly interferes with the rights of others at the University. As such, the Court finds that Paragraph H satisfies Tinker's substantial disruption test.
b. Count Two: Freedom of Association
Count Two of McCauley's Complaint alleges that certain of the Code provisions violate his right to freedom of association. However, at trial McCauley failed to present any evidence or argument explaining which provisions of the Code he believes violate his freedom of association, or how they infringe upon that freedom. McCauley has also failed to include any discussion of the alleged infringement on his freedom of association in his proposed findings of fact and conclusions of law. Under these circumstances, the Court finds that McCauley has waived his claims asserted in Count Two of the Complaint.
ii. As-Applied Challenge
In his as-applied challenge, McCauley argues that the Hazing-Harassment policy of Paragraph E is unconstitutional as it was applied to him by the University. However, because the Court has already determined that the challenged portions of Paragraph E are unconstitutional on their face, there is no need to reach the merits of his as-applied challenge to Paragraph E.
C. Damages
In addition to seeking a determination by the Court as to the constitutionality of the challenged Code provisions, McCauley requests an award of damages against the University. The Court has already explained that McCauley's claims for damages against the Defendants in their official capacities must fail. Furthermore, to the extent McCauley seeks damages against the Defendants in their individual capacities, such claims also fail because there has been no allegation or evidence of any personal involvement on the part of the Defendants in relation to McCauley's facial constitutional challenge.
IV. CONCLUSION
For the foregoing reasons, the Court will dismiss McCauley's claims against the University. The Court will enter a Judgment declaring that Paragraph E is unconstitutional to the extent it prohibits speech that "frightens, demeans, degrades or disgraces any person." The Court will enter an injunction banning the Defendants from enforcing that portion of Paragraph E. The Court will enter judgment in favor of the Defendants as to the remainder of McCauley's claims. Pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 58(a), an appropriate Judgment follows.
An as-applied challenge is "[a] claim that a law or governmental policy, though constitutional on its face, is unconstitutional as applied .; a claim that a statute is unconstitutional on the facts of a particular case or in its application to a particular party." BLACK'S Law Dictionary (8th ed. 2004).
The United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit has articulated the test for assessing whether a party satisfies prudential standing as follows:
[Prudential limits] require that (1) a litigant assert his [or her] own legal interests rather than those of third parties, (2) courts refrain from adjudicating abstract questions of wide public significance which amount to generalized grievances, and (3) a litigant demonstrate that her interests are arguably within the zone of interests intended to be protected by the statute, rule or constitutional provision on which the claim is based.
Davis v. Phila. Hous. Auth., 121 F.3d 92, 96 (3d Cir. 1997); see also Oxford Assocs. v. Waste Sys. Auth., 271 F.3d 140, 145-46 (3d Cir. 2001).
Both parties devote the entire legal analysis in their proposed findings of fact and conclusions of law to establishing the third prong of the Section 1983 analysis. They make no attempt to establish whether or not the defendants are "persons" within the meaning of Section 1983, or that they were acting under color of law when they committed the conduct relevant to this action.
The Court is unaware of any binding legal authority on the issue of whether UVI is an "arm of the state" for purposes of Section 1983 liability. However, in Bell v. University of the V.I., 45 V.I. 407 (D.V.I. 2003), this Court held that the plaintiff could not bring a Section 1983 claim against a UVI professor in her official capacity because the professor was "an employee of the Territory of the Virgin Islands." Id. at 412. As such, the Court concluded that "Plaintiff can only bring a claim for money damages under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 against [the professor] as an individual." Id. The Court in Bell also stated that "Plaintiff is barred from bringing a 42 U.S.C. § 1983 claim against Defendant UVI." Id. at 412. The opinion in Bell contains no further analysis or discussion of the issue.
However, the Board of Trustees of UVI was created as " a body politic and corporate." 17 V.I.C. § 453.
The Virgin Islands Code established a The University of the Virgin Islands Fund (the "Fund") for the purpose of receiving, managing, controlling, and disposing of money ro property on behalf of UVI.
In their proposed findings of fact and conclusions of law, both parties refer to paragraph C of the general infractions section of the Code, rather than paragraph C of the major infractions section. However, McCauley's Complaint makes no mention of paragraph C of the general infractions section, but rather challenges paragraph C of the major infractions section. Furthermore, at trial, McCauley specifically testified about his view of paragraph C of the major infractions section.
Furthermore, to the extent Paragraph B bans lewd, indecent, or obscene speech, such restriction may be justified under Fraser.
The First Amendment encompasses an independent right of freedom of association. NAACP v. Alabama ex rel. Patterson, 357 U.S. 449, 78 S. Ct. 1163, 2 L. Ed. 2d 1488 (1958). As the Supreme Court has explained,
Effective advocacy of both public and private points of view, particularly controversial ones, is undeniably enhanced by group association____It is beyond debate that freedom to engage in association for the advancement of beliefs and ideas is an inseparable aspect of the "liberty" assured by the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment, which embraces freedom of speech. Of course, it is immaterial whether the beliefs sought to be advanced by association pertain to political, economic, religious or cultural matters, and state action which may have the effect of curtailing the freedom to associate is subject to the closest scrutiny.
Id. at 460-61 (emphasis added) (citations omitted).