Leonard D. Goodisman v. Scott Lytle

This appeal presents three issues: (1) Does the Eleventh Amendment to the United States Constitution bar this civil rights suit against the University of Washington, a state university, and its officials? (2) Does an untenured university professor have a constitutionally protected interest in the University’s compliance with its own procedural regulations regarding promotion and tenure? (3) Did the University deprive Goodisman of equal protection of the law by denying a formal hearing that was granted to others similarly situated?

BACKGROUND

Goodisman was a nontenured Assistant Professor at the University of Washington’s Graduate School of Public Affairs (GSPA). When he was reviewed to determine whether to promote and grant tenure, the GSPA faculty voted 6 to 4 in favor. Hazleton, GSPA Dean, recommended to the University President that tenure be denied. The President denied tenure on the ground that Goodisman’s research and publications were weak.

Goodisman filed a complaint with the University Tenure Committee, challenging the decision and the underlying procedure. The Committee refused his request for a formal hearing, scheduling instead an informal meeting. It invited…