Recent Decisions - UNIVERSITIES AND OTHER INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER LEARNING

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Constitutional Claims and Civil Rights

Instructor brought equal protection action against community college alleging unlawful race discrimination. A white instructor had been employed full-time at a community college until her contract expired. Later, the instructor returned to the school, but was only offered a parttime position. The professor sued, claiming racial discrimination, and the college moved for summary judgment. Held: For the college. Though the difference between part-time and full-time status did represent an adverse employment action, the college's financial struggles were a legitimate, non-discriminatory reason for hiring the instructor part-time. Patrick v. Bishop …