12-OMD-140

August 2, 2012
In re: J. Fox DeMoisey/University of Louisville
Summary: Te University of Louisville!s University "tu#ent $riev%n&e
'o((ittee viol%te# )*" +1.,10-1. %n# )*" +1.,2/ 0en no 1u2li&
noti&e of its (eetings 0%s given %n# (eetings 0ere not &onvene# in o1en
session.
Open Meetings Decision
Te 3uestion 1resente# in tis %11e%l is 0eter te University of Louisville!s
University "tu#ent $riev%n&e 'o((ittee -4U"$'5. viol%te# te 61en Meetings A&t %t
v%rious (eetings el# 2et0een Fe2ru%ry 12, 2012, %n# M%y 1, 2012. Te %11ell%nt, Dr.
'risto1er M. $r%n#e, re1resente# 2y J. Fox DeMoisey, 0%s % stu#ent #is(isse# fro(
te University of Louisville!s 7r%n#eis "&ool of L%0 %fter % 1ro&ee#ing 2efore te l%0
s&ool!s 8onor 'oun&il. 9ursu%nt to te University!s 1oli&y (%nu%l -4te *e#2oo:5.,
Dr. $r%n#e file# % griev%n&e 0it te l%0 s&ool!s stu#ent %&%#e(i& griev%n&e &o((ittee
to &ontest is #is(iss%l. Te l%0 s&ool &o((ittee #e&line# to ol# % e%ring %n# ten
for0%r#e# its re1ort to te University 9rovost, 0o #is%gree# %n# st%te# te l%0 s&ool
&o((ittee soul# %ve el# % e%ring on Dr. $r%n#e!s griev%n&e.
Ag%in 1ursu%nt to University 1oli&y, Dr. $r%n#e file# % griev%n&e %t te next level
-te U"$'. on J%nu%ry 12, 2012, &onten#ing t%t te l%0 s&ool!s &o((ittee soul#
%ve el# % e%ring. 8e o2t%ine# % f%vor%2le ruling fro( te U"$', issue# M%y 1, 2012,
&on&lu#ing t%t e soul# %ve 2een given % e%ring. In te 1resent 1ro&ee#ing, #es1ite
12;6MD;1<0
9%ge 2
tis f%vor%2le out&o(e, Dr. $r%n#e %rgues t%t e soul# %ve 2een given noti&e of %ny
%n# %ll (eetings of te U"$' 1ursu%nt to te 61en Meetings A&t so t%t e &oul# %tten#.
Te U"$' &onsists of four -<. f%&ulty (e(2ers, ele&te# 2y te F%&ulty "en%te,
%n# tree -/. stu#ent (e(2ers, ele&te# 2y te "tu#ent "en%te, %long 0it tree %ltern%tes
e%& for stu#ents %n# f%&ulty. Its or#in%ry =uris#i&tion is %11ell%te, %fter % griev%n&e %s
2een &onsi#ere# 2y % griev%n&e &o((ittee 0itin te stu#ent!s 4%&%#e(i& unit5 of te
University %n# 2y %n %#(inistr%tor. In ex&e1tion%l &%ses, te U"$' %s 4origin%l 2ut not
ex&lusive =uris#i&tion5 0ere (ulti1le %&%#e(i& units %re involve# or 0ere % unit!s
griev%n&e &o((ittee for so(e re%son &%nnot &onsi#er te griev%n&e. In &%ses of origin%l
=uris#i&tion, te U"$' e%rs evi#en&e, (%:es fin#ings of f%&t, %n# re&o((en#s %
re(e#y 0ere %11ro1ri%te. In &%ses of %11ell%te =uris#i&tion, te U"$' #oes not ol# %
e%ring, 2ut revie0s te #e&ision of % f%&ulty 2o#y or %#(inistr%tor> it (%y not su2stitute
its =u#g(ent on te (erits, 2ut (%y fin# t%t te #e&ision 40%s not 2%se# on 1ro1er
&onsi#er%tion5 %n# #ire&t % re&onsi#er%tion, 0i& it su2se3uently revie0s. Ulti(%tely,
te U"$' in %n %11ell%te &%se (%:es % re&o((en#%tion to %ffir(, (o#ify, or reverse te
#e&ision 4%n# s%ll su2(it s%(e %s te &o((ittee re1ort,5 %fter 0i& te
re&o((en#%tion is &onsi#ere# %n# %&te# u1on 2y 4?t@e %11ro1ri%te vi&e 1resi#ent or te
6ffi&e of te 9resi#ent,5 2y 0o( fin%l %&tion is t%:en. -*e#2oo:, AA +.,.B;+.,.1<..
It %11e%rs fro( (%teri%ls su2(itte# 2y Dr. $r%n#e t%t te U"$' #oes not ol#
regul%r (eetings, 2ut only (eets infre3uently %s te nee# %rises, %t 0i& ti(e % &%ir is
%11ointe# 2y te University 9resi#ent. A&&or#ing to % #e1osition ex&er1t fro( rel%te#
litig%tion, su2(itte# 0it Dr. $r%n#e!s %11e%l, % 3uoru( of te U"$' (et %11roxi(%tely
five -C. ti(es 2et0een Fe2ru%ry %n# A1ril 2012, %fter % Fe2ru%ry ele&tion 2y te F%&ulty
"en%te to fill tree v%&%nt se%ts. 6n Fe2ru%ry 12, te &o((ittee (et in te 1resen&e of
University &ounsel Angel% D. )ose0% %n# st%ff (e(2er 'onnie )i## to #is&uss te
2%&:groun# %n# 1ro&e#ur%l istory of Dr. $r%n#e!s griev%n&e %n# te t%s: te &o((ittee
0%s re3uire# to 1erfor(. 6n M%r& ,, te &o((ittee (et %g%in in te 1resen&e of
'onnie )i##. 6n A1ril 10 %n# %11roxi(%tely t0o oter o&&%sions 1rior to M%y 1, te
&o((ittee (et to #is&uss %n# #eli2er%te on Dr. $r%n#e!s griev%n&e.
Dr. $r%n#e, troug is &ounsel, su2(itte# % &o(1l%int 2y e;(%il to University
9resi#ent J%(es *%(sey on M%y 1C, 2012, %lleging t%t te U"$' %# f%ile# 4to
%11ro1ri%tely noti&e te #%te %n# ti(e of te (eeting t%t #e%lt 0it Dr. $r%n#e!s
griev%n&e (%tter.5 8e &o(1l%ine# t%t #ue to l%&: of noti&e e 0%s un%2le to %tten#, %n#
re3ueste# t%t viol%tions of te 61en Meetings A&t 2e re(e#ie# to 1revent te U"$'!s
12;6MD;1<0
9%ge /
re&o((en#%tion fro( 2eing null %n# voi#. 6n M%y 1,, 2012, University &ounsel Angel%
D. )ose0% res1on#e#:
Te University #oes not %gree 0it your 1osition &on&erning te
University "tu#ent $riev%n&e 'o((ittee. Tis is % &o((ittee %&ting in %
3u%si;=u#i&i%l &%1%&ity on %n in#ivi#u%l stu#ent (%tter 1rote&te# 2y 2ot
st%te %n# fe#er%l l%0 %n# 0i& &onfi#enti%l stu#ent (%tter is not 1u2li&
2usiness of te University. Assu(ing your 1osition for te 1ur1ose of tis
res1onse only, %# % (eeting of te &o((ittee 2een noti&e# %s % 1u2li&
(eeting, te &o((ittee, 1ursu%nt to )*" +1.,10-1.-=., 0oul# %ve 2een
%utoriDe# to #eli2er%te in &lose# session 0itout your &lient!s 2eing
1resent. Te &o((ittee!s #e&ision, f%vor%2le to your &lient, t%t e soul#
2e %llo0e# to 2e e%r# 2efore te unit griev%n&e &o((ittee %s 2een
%&&e1te# 2y te 9resi#ent. It is te University!s 1osition t%t te unit
&o((ittee (%y 1ro&ee#.
Tis %11e%l 0%s re&eive# 2y te 6ffi&e of te Attorney $ener%l on July 1,, 2012, %n# %
res1onse on 2e%lf of te University 0%s re&eive# fro( %ttorney De2or% 8. 9%tterson on
July 2+, 2012.
It is un#is1ute# t%t te 'o((ittee!s (eetings never &o(1lie# 0it te
1rovisions of te 61en Meetings A&t, in&lu#ing te 1u2li& noti&e 1rovisions %n# te
1ro&e#ure of &onvening in o1en session. Te issue is 0eter tey 0ere re3uire# to #o
so.
It is not #is1ute# t%t te U"$' is % 1u2li& %gen&y. Te fun#%(ent%l (%n#%te of
te 61en Meetings A&t, &o#ifie# %t )*" +1.,10-1., st%tes t%t:
All (eetings of % 3uoru( of te (e(2ers of %ny 1u2li& %gen&y %t 0i&
%ny 1u2li& 2usiness is #is&usse# or %t 0i& %ny %&tion is t%:en 2y te
%gen&y, s%ll 2e 1u2li& (eetings, o1en to te 1u2li& %t %ll ti(es?.@
Eiol%tion of te 61en Meetings A&t &%n tus result fro( % 1riv%te (eeting of % 3uoru(
of te (e(2ers of %n %gen&y %t 0i& eiter 1u2li& 2usiness is #is&usse# or %&tion is
t%:en. )*" +1.,20 re3uires % s&e#ule of regul%r (eetings of % 1u2li& %gen&y, if %ny, to
2e (%#e %v%il%2le to te 1u2li&, %n# for su& (eetings to 2e 4el# %t s1e&ifie# ti(es %n#
12;6MD;1<0
9%ge <
1l%&es 0i& %re &onvenient to te 1u2li&.5 Furter(ore, )*" +1.,2/-/. re3uires 0ritten
noti&e of %ny s1e&i%l (eetings.
4A&tion t%:en5 is #efine# in )*" +1.,0C-/. %s 4% &olle&tive #e&ision, %
&o((it(ent or 1ro(ise to (%:e % 1ositive or neg%tive #e&ision, or %n %&tu%l vote 2y %
(%=ority of te (e(2ers of te govern(ent%l 2o#y.5 Terefore, te (eeting %t 0i& te
U"$' (%#e its &olle&tive #e&ision or too: % vote 0oul# f%ll 0itin te (%n#%te of )*"
+1.,10-1., su2=e&t to %ny ex&e1tions un#er l%0.
49u2li& 2usiness,5 o0ever, is not #efine# 2y te 61en Meetings A&t. A&&or#ing
to te legisl%tive st%te(ent of 1oli&y in )*" +1.,00, 4te for(%tion of 1u2li& 1oli&y is
1u2li& 2usiness %n# s%ll not 2e &on#u&te# in se&ret.5 It is not te &%se, o0ever, t%t
1u2li& 2usiness is merely te for(%tion of 1u2li& 1oli&y. In 1BB<, tis offi&e g%ve %n
%#visory o1inion to te University of )entu&:y in 0i& 0e in#i&%te# t%t % University
"en%te %n# &ollege %n# #e1%rt(ent f%&ulties 0ere 4&o((ittees5 su2=e&t to te 61en
Meetings A&t, %n# in te &ontext of su& &o((ittees 0e #is&usse# te (e%ning of
41u2li& 2usiness5:
61en (eetings #e&isions %ve not yet #e%lt 0it te 1re&ise (e%ning of
t%t ter(, 2ut 0e %nti&i1%te t%t #is&ussion of te follo0ing su2=e&ts 0oul#
2e &onsi#ere# 1u2li& 2usiness:
F te ex1en#iture of 1u2li& fun#s>
F te s&o1e or ty1e of servi&es offere# 2y % 1u2li& %gen&y>
F regul%tions, 1oli&ies, %n# 1ro&e#ures t%t %ffe&t te (%nner in
0i& te 1u2li& %gen&y 1rovi#es servi&es to te 1u2li& or &o(1lies 0it
its st%tutory #uties>
F 1ersonnel (%tters %ffe&ting te &o(1ens%tion, 2enefits, or #uties
of 1u2li& e(1loyees.
'onversely, te follo0ing su2=e&ts %re 1ro2%2ly not 1u2li& 2usiness:
F matters related to a specific situation involving a particular
student, e(1loyee, f%&ulty or sen%te (e(2er, or (e(2er of te 1u2li&>
F &%su%l &onvers%tions %(ong f%&ulty or sen%te (e(2ers>
F (%tters t%t %re 1urely intern%l to te f%&ulty or sen%te itself,
ex&e1t (%tters involving te ti(e or 1l%&e of (eetings.
12;6MD;1<0
9%ge C
It is of &ourse 1ossi2le t%t % (eeting of %ny of te 2o#ies #is&usse# in tis
o1inion 0oul# 1ro&ee# 0itout %ny %&tion 2eing t%:en %n# 0itout %ny
1u2li& 2usiness 2eing #is&usse#. Tose (eetings &oul# 2e &lose# to te
1u2li&.
6A$ B<;2C -e(1%sis %##e#.. Te University of Louisville urges t%t tis st%n#%r#
soul# 2e %11lie# to te 2usiness of te U"$', 0ose only 1ur1ose %n# &o(1eten&e is to
#e%l 0it 4(%tters rel%te# to % s1e&ifi& situ%tion involving % 1%rti&ul%r stu#ent.5
A&&or#ing to tis line of re%soning, (eetings of te U"$' 0oul# never 2e 1u2li&
2e&%use te &o((ittee never #is&usses 41u2li& 2usiness.5
Get tis %rgu(ent #oes not t%:e into %&&ount te f%&t t%t te U"$' ulti(%tely
4t%:e?s@ %&tion5 2y ol#ing % vote or (%:ing % &olle&tive #e&ision %s to its
re&o((en#%tion to te 9resi#ent. It is not ne&ess%ry t%t 4%&tion t%:en5 rel%te to 1u2li&
2usiness to 2ring % (eeting 0itin te 1rovisions of te A&t> +1.,10-1. re3uires % 1u2li&
(eeting 0enever 4any %&tion is t%:en 2y te %gen&y.5 -H(1%sis %##e#.. Furter(ore,
no %&tu%l #e&isions of tis offi&e or 1u2lise# &ourt #e&isions %ve %#o1te# 6A$ B<;2C!s
1osition t%t 4(%tters rel%te# to % s1e&ifi& situ%tion involving % 1%rti&ul%r stu#ent5 or
oter in#ivi#u%l #o not &onstitute 41u2li& 2usiness.5
In Yeoman v. Commonwealth of Kentucky, Health Policy Board, B,/ ".I.2# <CB,
<J< -)y. 1BB,., te )entu&:y "u1re(e 'ourt el# t%t, 0it reg%r# to te sort;live#
8e%lt 9oli&y 7o%r# &re%te# 2y % 1BB< st%tute, 4?1@u2li& 2usiness is te #is&ussion of te
v%rious %ltern%tives to % given issue %2out 0i& te 2o%r# %s te o1tion to t%:e %&tion.5
Ie %ve &ite# tis #efinition 0it %11rov%l. See, e.g., 12;6MD;0<, -Yeoman
4syntesiDes so(e t0enty;six ye%rs of o1en (eetings #e&isions issue# 2y te )entu&:y
Attorney $ener%l5.> 0B;6MD;0B/> 0<;6MD;1<,. Te University &onten#s t%t %
&o((ittee #e%ling 0it 4% 1erson%l griev%n&e r%ise# 2y % stu#ent &%nnot 2e e3u%te#
0it5 % 2o%r# &%rge# 0it regul%ting )entu&:y!s e%lt &%re in#ustry %s in Yeoman, or
investig%ting % st%te;li&ense# 1%r(%&ist %s in 0<;6MD;1<,, 2e&%use te (%tter is 1riv%te
%n# 2e&%use te U"$' #oes not t%:e 4fin%l %&tion.5 As 0e %ve st%te#, o0ever, 4%&tion
t%:en5 nee# not 2e fin%l %&tion. Furter(ore, 0ile te 1riv%&y interests involve# in
stu#ent (%tters (%y 2e su2st%nti%l, our #e&isions %ve not &ounten%n&e# % #efinition of
41u2li& 2usiness5 (ore restri&tive t%n t%t use# in Yeoman.
8%ving est%2lise# t%t te (eetings of te U"$' involve# 1u2li& 2usiness %n#
%&tion t%:en, 0e turn to te University!s %rgu(ent t%t te (eetings of te &o((ittee %re
12;6MD;1<0
9%ge +
not su2=e&t to te 61en Meetings A&t 2e&%use %ll of its %&tivities %re su2=e&t to one or
(ore of te ex&e1tions liste# in )*" +1.,10-1.. "u2se&tion -1.-f. 1rovi#es t%t te
follo0ing nee# not 2e o1en to te 1u2li&:
Dis&ussions or e%rings 0i& (igt le%# to te %11oint(ent, #is&i1line,
or #is(iss%l of %n in#ivi#u%l e(1loyee, (e(2er, or stu#ent 0itout
restri&ting t%t e(1loyee!s, (e(2er!s, or stu#ent!s rigt to % 1u2li&
e%ring if re3ueste#.
Te University %rgues t%t 4?(@%ny of ?te U"$'!s@ (eetings, li:e te (eetings
&on&erning Dr. $r%n#e, %re ?exe(1t@ 2e&%use te #is&ussion &on&erns te #is(iss%l or
#is&i1line of % stu#ent.5 Iile 0e re&ogniDe t%t #is&ussions of t%t n%ture 0oul#
#o(in%te te 1ro&ee#ings %t su& % (eeting, 0e #o not 2elieve tey 0oul# &onstitute te
entirety of te 1ro&ee#ings. Keverteless, )*" +1.,10-1.-f. 0oul# 1otenti%lly 2e % 2%sis
for going into &lose# session.
"u2se&tion -1.-=. 1rovi#es t%t te follo0ing nee# not 2e o1en to te 1u2li&:
Deli2er%tions of =u#i&i%l or 3u%si;=u#i&i%l 2o#ies reg%r#ing in#ivi#u%l
%#=u#i&%tions or %11oint(ent, %t 0i& neiter te 1erson involve#, is
re1resent%tives, nor %ny oter in#ivi#u%l not % (e(2er of te %gen&y!s
governing 2o#y or st%ff is 1resent, 2ut not in&lu#ing %ny (eetings of
1l%nning &o((issions, Doning &o((issions, or 2o%r#s of %#=ust(ent.
Te University &onten#s t%t te U"$' 4fun&tions %s % 3u%si;=u#i&i%l 2o#y 0ose sole
fun&tion is to %#=u#i&%te stu#ent griev%n&es,5 %n# terefore te entirety of its (eetings
(%y 2e &lose# to te 1u2li&. Ie %re not &onvin&e#, o0ever, t%t te &o((ittee!s
1ro&ee#ings &onsist entirely of 4#eli2er%tions.5 At % (ini(u(, tere (ust 2e %
#eter(in%tion t%t % 3uoru( is 1resent %n# % &o((en&e(ent of 1ro&ee#ings 1rior to te
2eginning of #eli2er%tions. 6n&e #eli2er%tions 2egin, % &lose# session 0oul# 2e 1ro1er
un#er )*" +1.,10-1.-=..
Fin%lly, su2se&tion -1.-:. 1rovi#es t%t te follo0ing nee# not 2e o1en to te
1u2li&:
Meetings 0i& fe#er%l or st%te l%0 s1e&ifi&%lly re3uire to 2e &on#u&te# in
1riv%&y.
12;6MD;1<0
9%ge J
Te University %rgues t%t te fe#er%l F%(ily H#u&%tion%l *igts %n# 9riv%&y A&t
-4FH*9A5., 20 U.".'. A 12/2g, 1roi2its #is&ussion of 1erson%lly i#entifi%2le
infor(%tion rel%ting to % stu#ent, %n# terefore re3uires t%t su& #is&ussions 2e
&on#u&te# in &lose# session.
In BJ;6MD;1/B, 0e %##resse# te %11li&%tion of te 61en Meetings A&t to %
university!s 8ousing A11e%ls 'o((ittee in te &ontext of )*" +1.,10-1.-:. %n#
FH*9A. Ie first foun# t%t te 8ousing A11e%ls 'o((ittee 0%s % 1u2li& %gen&y %n# its
(eetings 0ere su2=e&t to te re3uire(ent t%t tey 2e o1en to te 1u2li& unless it &oul#
invo:e % st%tutory ex&e1tion. Ie ten &on&lu#e# t%t % (eeting of te &o((ittee, on&e
&onvene# in 1u2li&, &oul# 1ro1erly go into &lose# session to #is&uss stu#ent ousing
%11e%ls:
FH*9A regul%tes %&&ess to 4e#u&%tion re&or#s,5 (e%ning re&or#s,
files, #o&u(ents, %n# oter rel%te# (%teri%ls 0i& &ont%in infor(%tion
t%t is #ire&tly rel%te# to % stu#ent %n# 0i& %re (%int%ine# 2y te
e#u&%tion%l %gen&y or institution. 20 U.".'. A 12/2g-<.-A.. Te st%tute
1re&lu#es te #is&losure of 1erson%lly i#entifi%2le stu#ent infor(%tion to
tir# 1%rties in te %2sen&e of % 1%rent or eligi2le stu#ent!s 1rior 0ritten
&onsent. It is %lso %i(e# %t insuring te 1%rents of % stu#ent, %n# te
stu#ent i(self if e is over eigteen, %&&ess to te stu#ent!s e#u&%tion
re&or#s.
20 U.".'. A 12/2g-2.-1. 1rovi#es:
Ko fun#s s%ll 2e (%#e %v%il%2le un#er %ny %11li&%2le 1rogr%( to
%ny e#u&%tion%l %gen&y or institution 0i& %s % 1oli&y or 1r%&ti&e
of 1er(itting te rele%se of e#u&%tion re&or#s -or 1erson%lly
i#entifi%2le infor(%tion &ont%ine# terein oter t%n #ire&tory
infor(%tion ?(e%ning te stu#ent!s n%(e, %##ress, tele1one
listing, #%te %n# 1l%&e of 2irt, (%=or fiel# of stu#y, 1%rti&i1%tion in
offi&i%lly re&ogniDe# %&tivities %n# s1orts, 0eigt %n# eigt of
(e(2ers of %tleti& te%(s, #%tes of %tten#%n&e, #egrees %n#
%0%r#s re&eive#, %n# te (ost re&ent 1revious e#u&%tion%l %gen&y
or institution %tten#e# 2y te stu#ent@ of stu#ents 0itout te
0ritten &onsent of teir 1%rents to %ny in#ivi#u%l, %gen&y, or
12;6MD;1<0
9%ge ,
org%niD%tion, oter t%n ?to &ert%in enu(er%te# offi&i%ls %n#
org%niD%tions, or in &onne&tion 0it &ert%in %&tivities@.
It is te o1inion of tis offi&e t%t 20 U.".'. A 12/2g-2.-1. 2%rs not only
te rele%se of e#u&%tion re&or#s, 2ut %lso te #is&losure of 1erson%lly
i#entifi%2le infor(%tion in tose re&or#s, in&lu#ing infor(%tion rel%ting to
stu#ent ousing, %n# s1e&ifi&%lly ousing %11e%ls. L
?A@&&or#ing to te fe#er%l regul%tions i(1le(enting FH*9A
#is&losure (e%ns 4to 1er(it %&&ess to or te rele%se, tr%nsfer, or oter
&o((uni&%tion of 1erson%lly i#entifi%2le infor(%tion &ont%ine# in
e#u&%tion re&or#s to %ny 1%rty, 2y %ny (e%ns, in&lu#ing or%l, 0ritten, or
ele&troni& (e%ns.5 /< 'F* 9%rt BB./. 'le%rly ten, 1u2li& #is&ussion of
1erson%lly i#entifi%2le infor(%tion, in&lu#ing stu#ent ousing infor(%tion,
is restri&te# in te s%(e (%nner %s rele%se of re&or#s &ont%ining t%t
infor(%tion. H%stern )entu&:y University ris:s te loss of fe#er%l fun#s if
it eng%ges in 1u2li& #is&ussion of tese (%tters. 9ursu%nt to )*"
+1.,10-1.-:., te 8ousing A11e%ls 'o((ittee (%y 1ro1erly go into
&lose# session to #is&uss ousing %11e%ls sin&e fe#er%l l%0 re3uires it to
#o so. "ee %lso )*" 1+0.J20-2., te st%te %n%logue to te F%(ily
H#u&%tion%l *igts %n# 9riv%&y A&t, restri&ting 4rele%se or #is&losure of
re&or#s, re1orts, or i#entifi%2le infor(%tion on stu#ents to tir# 1%rties
oter t%n #ire&tory infor(%tion L 0itout 1%rent%l or eligi2le stu#ent
&onsent.5
Ie note, o0ever, t%t %s %n eligi2le stu#ent, t%t is % stu#ent 0o
is eigteen or is %tten#ing %n institution of 1ostse&on#%ry e#u&%tion, ?te
%11ell%nt@ (%y 0%ive is 1riv%&y rigts un#er FH*9A 2y 0ritten &onsent,
tus 1er(itting 1u2li& #is&ussion of his ousing %11e%l 1ursu%nt to 20
U.".'. A 12/2 g-#. %n# 20 U.".'. A 12/2g-2.-1.. 62viously, te s%(e is
true of %ny oter stu#ent 0o 0ises is %11e%l to 2e e%r# in o1en
session, %n# te University or te %11e%ls &o((ittee soul# so notify te
stu#ent in %#v%n&e of is e%ring. /< 'F* 9%rt BB.J> 20 U.".'. A
12/2g-e.. If, o0ever, ?te %11ell%nt!s@ %11e%l r%ises ousing issues or
evi#en&e &on&erning oter stu#ents, te 8ousing A11e%ls 'o((ittee
0oul# 2e 2oun# 2y 20 U.".'. A 12/2g-2.-1. %n# terefore re3uire# to
&on#u&t te e%ring in &lose# session.
12;6MD;1<0
9%ge B
"in&e Dr. $r%n#e!s griev%n&e 2efore te U"$' 1ert%ins #ire&tly to %&%#e(i& (%tters, te
infor(%tion t%t 0oul# 2e #is&usse# in te (eetings is even (ore &le%rly 4e#u&%tion
re&or#s.5 A&&or#ingly, 0e see no leg%l 2%sis for #istinguising BJ;6MD;1/B. See also
B,;6MD;1<2 -s%(e %n%lysis %11lie# to university!s Fin%n&i%l Ai# 9rofession%l Ju#g(ent
'o((ittee.. Te University 0oul# 2e 0itin its %utority un#er )*" +1.,10-1.-:. to go
into &lose# session to #is&uss te (%tter in or#er to &o(1ly 0it fe#er%l l%0.
Furter(ore, %s te 1%rti&ul%r &%se %11%rently involve# %noter stu#ent, Dr. $r%n#e!s
%&&user, % 0%iver of Dr. $r%n#e!s 1riv%&y rigts %lone 0oul# not suffi&e to :ee1 te
1ro&ee#ings o1en.
Keverteless, te %11li&%2ility of %n ex&e1tion 1er(itting #is&ussion in &lose#
session #oes not, %s te University %rgues, t%:e te &o((ittee entirely outsi#e te s&o1e
of te 61en Meetings A&t. Any (eeting of % 3uoru( of te &o((ittee 0ere 1u2li&
2usiness is #is&usse# or %&tion is t%:en, %s %n%lyDe# %2ove, (ust still 2e &onvene# in o1en
session 1ursu%nt to )*" +1.,10-1.. "u& (eetings %re su2=e&t to te noti&e 1rovisions of
)*" +1.,2/ for s1e&i%l (eetings, or if %n# 0en regul%r (eetings %re ever el#, te
s&e#ule 1rovisions of )*" +1.,20. If %&tion is t%:en %t te (eeting, (inutes %re to 2e
:e1t 1ursu%nt to )*" +1.,/C.
Te University %rgues in its res1onse t%t un#er )*" +1.,1C-2., 2e&%use of te
1riv%te n%ture of its 2usiness, te U"$' is exe(1t fro( te 1ro&e#ur%l re3uire(ents of
)*" +1.,1C-1. 0it reg%r# to &on#u&ting &lose# sessions. Ie #o not &onsi#er te
&o((ittee!s non&o(1li%n&e 0it )*" +1.,1C-1. relev%nt to tis %11e%l 2e&%use it 0%s
not te su2=e&t of Dr. $r%n#e!s &o(1l%int. *%ter, e &o(1l%ine# %2out te l%&: of
1u2li& noti&e of, %n# o11ortunity to %tten#, te &o((ittee!s (eetings. Ie terefore nee#
not %##ress %t tis ti(e te University!s %rgu(ents rel%ting to te 1ro&e#ur%l
re3uire(ents for going into &lose# session.
4Te ex1ress 1ur1ose of te 61en Meetings A&t is to (%xi(iDe noti&e of 1u2li&
(eetings %n# %&tions. Te f%ilure to &o(1ly 0it te stri&t letter of te l%0 in &on#u&ting
(eetings of % 1u2li& %gen&y viol%tes te 1u2li& goo#.5 loyd County Board of !ducation
v. "atliff, BCC ".I.2# B21, B2/ -)y. 1BBJ.. For te re%sons outline# %2ove, 0e fin# t%t
te University "tu#ent $riev%n&e 'o((ittee viol%te# te 61en Meetings A&t to te
12;6MD;1<0
9%ge 10
extent t%t it g%ve no 1u2li& noti&e of its s1e&i%l (eetings 1ursu%nt to )*" +1.,2/ %n#
#i# not &onvene its (eetings in o1en session 1ursu%nt to )*" +1.,10-1..
1

A 1%rty %ggrieve# 2y tis #e&ision (%y %11e%l it 2y initi%ting %&tion in te
%11ro1ri%te &ir&uit &ourt 1ursu%nt to )*" +1.,<+-<.-%.. Te Attorney $ener%l soul# 2e
notifie# of %ny %&tion in &ir&uit &ourt, 2ut soul# not 2e n%(e# %s % 1%rty in t%t %&tion or
in %ny su2se3uent 1ro&ee#ings.
J%&: 'on0%y
Attorney $ener%l
J%(es M. 8erri&:
Assist%nt Attorney $ener%l
M2J1
Distri2ute# to:
J. Fox DeMoisey, Hs3.
Angel% D. )ose0%, Hs3.
De2or% 8. 9%tterson, Hs3.
1
Altoug Dr. $r%n#e %s %s:e# tis offi&e to #e&l%re te %&tions of te U"$' null %n# voi#, su& %
re(e#y is not 0itin te gr%nte# 1o0ers of te Attorney $ener%l un#er )*" +1.,<+-2..