Paul S. Adamian v. Dr. Louis E. Lombardi

On this, the second appeal in this matter, we review the discharge of Paul S. Adamian, an Assistant Professor of English at the University of Nevada, at Reno, arising from his conduct while participating in a campus demonstration during Governor’s Day ceremonies, May 5,1970, in the university stadium. The demonstration was in protest against the Cambodian invasion and the Kent State University killings. Our opinion on the prior appeal (Adamian v. Jacobsen, 523 F.2d 929 (9th Cir. 1975)), described the facts as follows at 931:

Adamian responded by filing a civil rights action in the district court under 42 U.S.C. § 1981 and § 1985, alleging violation of his First Amendment speech rights and of his Fourteenth Amendment due process rights in depriving him of his tenured professorship, and in the manner by which, and the reasons for which, it was accomplished. He named as defendants the University, the Board of Regents and its members individually. He sought reinstatement, compensation for lost earnings, and damages for violation of his civil rights. The district court dismissed the University and the Board of Regents because neither state agency was a “person” within the meaning of…