Snyder

This is an appeal from the granting of an alternative writ of mandate requiring appellant to reinstate respondent as an employee of appellant.

There is essentially no dispute in the facts of this case. Respondent, John J. Snyder, was employed in 1962 by the Regents of the University of California as an artist in the Program Promotion Department at the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA). In March of 1965, the position of principal artist was established and Snyder was designated to fill that position. On December 28, 1970, Snyder was advised by his supervisor, Irene Bagge, that his employment as principal artist would be terminated and he would be on layoff status effective February 15, 1971. The reason for the layoff was that the position of principal artist was being abolished due to budgetary reductions. There is no dispute as to Snyder’s competence and ability. Snyder has received all normal merit salary increases, including an increase of 5 percent on December 7, 1970, three weeks prior to his layoff.

Snyder’s employment by appellant was not covered by Civil Service legislation, was not a tenured position, and was for an indefinite period of time. He was…