DocketNumber: No. CV 95 57527 S
Citation Numbers: 1996 Conn. Super. Ct. 6624
Judges: BISHOP, J.
Filed Date: 12/16/1996
Status: Non-Precedential
Modified Date: 4/17/2021
PROCEDURAL/FACTUAL HISTORY
By complaint dated March 3, 1995, the plaintiffs allege the following. On July 19, 1991, the plaintiff, Budnik, filed a complaint with the CHRO charging the defendant, UConn, with discrimination in violation of General Statutes §§
The plaintiff, Budnik's, complaint alleged that the defendant, UConn, discriminated against her on the base of the plaintiff, Budnik's gender by removing her from the varsity cheerleading squad because she weighed more than 125 pounds. The plaintiff, Budnik, asserts that there was no maximum weight limit for male cheerleaders. The CHRO investigated the plaintiff, Budnik's, complaint and found reasonable cause to believe that the defendant, UConn, had committed a discriminatory practice.
The plaintiff, Budnik's complaint was certified for a public hearing pursuant to General Statutes §
The plaintiffs take issue with the presiding officer's decision on the following grounds: (1) the presiding officer's decision is clearly erroneous in view of the reliable, probative and substantial evidence on the whole record; (2) the decision is in violation of statutory provision; (3) the decision was made upon unlawful procedure; (4) the decision is characterized by a clearly unwarranted exercise of discretion, and; (5) the decision is affected by other error of law.
The defendants filed the return of record on June 1, 1995. The plaintiffs filed their brief in support of their appeal on November 17, 1995. The defendants filed their brief in opposition on January 18, 1996. The parties appeared before the court and argued the merits of the case on October 17, 1996.
I. JURISDICTION
Appeals to court from administrative agencies exist only under statutory authority. Killingly v. Connecticut SitingCouncil,
A. Aggrievement
Aggrievement is a jurisdictional matter and a prerequisite for maintaining an appeal. Winchester Woods Associates v.Planning Zoning Commission,
The plaintiff, CHRO, alleges that it is aggrieved by its final decision because "The CHRO has been denied the right to have the relator's complaint determined under the proper legal analysis, upon an objective review of the record, and upon a hearing of all relevant, proffered evidence. The CHRO has therefore been denied a full, fair hearing, on a complaint in which the CHRO reasonably believes a discriminatory practice to have occurred, and for which Ms. Budnik, Plaintiff CHRO'S relator, is reasonably entitled to relief." Complaint, ¶ 17 (a). Additionally, the plaintiff, CHRO, asserts that "The improper legal analysis and wholly unsupported factual findings of the Presiding Officer, if left uncorrected, will thwart the CHRO'S statutory command to enforce the anti-discrimination laws of the State of Connecticut, not only in this case, but also will set adverse precedent for future cases." Complaint, ¶ 17(b).
The plaintiff, CHRO, is an agency of the State of Connecticut charged with the responsibility to receive, investigate, conciliate and hear complaints alleging discriminatory practices. General Statutes §
B. Timeliness
In order to take advantage of a statutory right to appeal from a decision of an administrative agency, there must be strict compliance with the statutory provisions which the created the right. Simko v. Zoning Board of Appeals,
General Statutes §
The final decision was rendered on January 19, 1995. The sheriff's return shows that service occurred on March 3, 1995. Therefore service is timely.
The plaintiffs' first claim of error is that the hearing officer refused to permit the CHRO to call an expert witness. The plaintiffs argue that the testimony of their witness, Dr. Margo Maine, was crucial as rebuttal testimony to demonstrate that as a result of the pressure to lose weight, the plaintiff, Budnik, developed a negative attitude. Additionally, the plaintiffs assert that Dr. Maine's testimony would have been extremely relevant in light of the presiding officer's finding that the plaintiff, Budnik, was removed from the team because of her attitude. CT Page 6628
The defendant UConn argues that the presiding officer's action was within his regulatory authority to exercise control over the hearing, including the authority to admit or exclude testimony or other evidence pursuant to the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies §§ 46a-54-101 and 46a-54-102 (b) and General Statutes §
"In contested cases . . . [a]ny oral or documentary evidence may be received, but the agency shall, as a matter of policy, provide for the exclusion of irrelevant, immaterial or unduly repetitious evidence . . . ." General Statutes §
At the hearing, the plaintiffs argued that it was gender discrimination that was the cause of the plaintiff, Budnik's dismissal from the cheerleading squad because there was no weight requirement for men. The defendant, UConn, however, specially plead the defense that the plaintiff, Budnik, was dismissed for a legitimate, non-discriminatory reason unrelated to her weight. (Return of Record ## 15, and 16). The defendant asserted that it was the plaintiff, Budnik's attitude that caused her dismissal.
The presiding officer found the following. The plaintiff, Budnik, was referred to a nutritionist for counseling on how to maintain her weight below the maximum limit in a healthy manner. (ROR # 1, p. 3). The plaintiff discontinued her prescribed diet within a few weeks and initiated no follow up visits to the nutritionist. Id. The plaintiff was benched after the first home CT Page 6629 football game because she was over the weight limit. (ROR # 1, p. 4). The plaintiff appeared in defiance of the cheerleading dress code in a tight fitting, revealing outfit and was directed to change into more appropriate attire. Id. The presiding officer found that the plaintiff's behavior and attitude became increasingly worse, becoming argumentative and using vulgarity. (ROR # 1, p. 5). She also refused to tumble at a basketball game.Id. The assistant coach spent a disproportionate amount of time counseling the plaintiff about her attitude problems. (ROR # 1, p. 6). She refused to see a nutritionist. Id. When she finally did, she was concerned only with a crash diet. Id. Against the advice of the nutritionist, the plaintiff often was observed drinking alcohol to the point of intoxication. (ROR # 1, p. 7).
At the hearing, the CHRO called Cynthia Dunne, the former assistant coach of the cheerleading squad, in its case in chief. (ROR # 3, p. 266). Ms. Dunne testified that the plaintiff had a negative attitude and was difficult. Id., p. 297-98. Ms. Dunne testified that the plaintiff was "rude, combative, defensive. there was a problem with something, even say if it was somebody else's fault, she would attack verbally." Id., p. 298. Ms. Dunne also testified about the importance of a good attitude in cheerleading. Id., p. 302-03. Ms. Dunne testified that the primary reason the plaintiff was not allowed to cheer was her negative attitude. Id., p. 305.
Following this damaging testimony, unhelpful to its theory that the plaintiff was dismissed because of her weight, the CHRO attempted to call Dr. Maine to rebut the testimony of its witness and other defense witnesses. (ROR # 7, p. 946). The CHRO proffered that Dr. Maine's testimony would rebut the substantial evidence presented regarding the plaintiff, Budnik's negative attitude. Id., p. 948. The CHRO further offered that Dr. Maine would testify that the plaintiff's negative attitude was a result of the weight loss program forced on her so she could meet the team maximum. Id., p. 949.
The defendant, UConn, objected to this testimony, arguing that Dr. Maine's expertise in eating disorders is irrelevant since no evidence of eating disorders was raise prior to Dr. Maine being called as a witness. Id., p. 950. Additionally, the defendant argued that Dr. Maine was called as a witness during the case for the defendant and therefore, could not rebut evidence from the plaintiff's case in chief, specifically the testimony of Ms. Dunne. Id. The defendant, UConn, also argued CT Page 6630 that the CHRO's attempt to link the plaintiff's bad attitude with the weight restriction was a new theory to the case and highly prejudicial. Id., 958-59. The presiding officer sustained the defendant's objection and excluded Dr. Maine's testimony. Id., p. 953.
The plaintiffs now argue that the hearing officer's use of discretion is unsupported by the law. Specifically, the plaintiffs rely on Katz v. Passariello,
In the present case, before issuing his ruling, the hearing officer heard extensive argument from both parties concerning the admissibility of Dr. Maine's testimony. (ROR # 7, pp. 946-959) Therefore, Katz v. Passariello, supra, is not persuasive to demonstrate that the hearing officer's ruling was clearly illegal.
Since there is no requirement that all of a party's witnesses must testify, the plaintiffs burden is to demonstrate how the presiding officer's decision was either an abuse of discretion or arbitrary. See Griffin v. Muzio,
The plaintiffs have failed in their burden to show that the officer's decision was arbitrary or an abuse of discretion. There is substantial evidence in the record to show that the plaintiffs had the opportunity to present evidence during their case in chief regarding any link between the plaintiff, Budnik's attitude CT Page 6631 and weight control stress. The credibility of witnesses and the determination of factual issues are matters with the province of the administrative agency. Fleischman v. Board of Examiners inPodiatry,
The review of an administrative agency's action is very limited. Starr v. Commission of Department of EnvironmentalProtection,
The plaintiff's attitude
As described and referenced in the above section, the plaintiff's negative attitude was established by the plaintiff's own witness. The defendant, UConn, also put evidence on concerning the plaintiff's negative attitude. (ROR # 6, p. 878). Therefore, the hearing officer's finding that the plaintiff was dismissed from the cheerleading squad because of a bad attitude is supported by substantial evidence within the record. CT Page 6632
Weight Standard for Male Cheerleaders
The plaintiffs argue that the hearing officer's decision implies that comparable weight standards were imposed on male cheerleaders. However, the officer's decision makes no reference to a comparable weight standard. The hearing officer found that both male and female cheerleaders were weighed on a weekly basis. (ROR # 1, p. 4). Additionally, the hearing officer found that male cheerleaders were to maintain an athletic appearance and if they did not do so, they were also benched until the excess weight was lost or they were dismissed from the squad. Id.
Both of these findings are supported in the record. The plaintiff, Budnik, testified that both male and female cheerleaders were weighed on a weekly basis. (ROR # 3, p. 210-11). The coach of the varsity cheerleading squad, Neal Kearney, testified that male cheerleaders were directed to lose weight, were benched or ultimately dismissed from the squad because of their failure to lose weight. (ROR # 5, p. 745-46). The plaintiffs argue that even if the record supports a finding that both men, and women cheerleaders had fitness standards, they assert that the disparate weight standard for woman was discrimatory.
First, the hearing officer found that it was the plaintiff, Budnik's, attitude, not weight that removed her from the squad. (ROR # 1, p. 23.) In fact, the officer found that the plaintiff was "an immature, willful self-indulgent young woman who refused to obey gender neutral rules and thereby weakened the morale of the team." Id. The evidence before the hearing officer was a sufficient basis for his determination that the plaintiff Budnik was dismissed from the squad because of her poor attitude.
As for the weight restriction, the hearing officer found that the defendant, UConn, had a legitimate, non-discriminatory reason for imposing the weight standard. (ROR # 1, p. 16). The hearing officer found, based on the testimony of Coach Kearney, that in order for the entire squad to perform advanced partner stunts, which included lifting and tossing, it was necessary for general limits on how much the female cheerleaders, the "tossees," could weigh. Coach Kearney, did not arbitrarily pick a number, but reviewed comparable programs at different schools to set the maximum at 125 pounds. (ROR # 5, p. 774-75). The cheerleading coach testified that tossing was involved in 85 to 90 per-cent of the cheers the squad performed. (ROR # 5, pp. 739, 768-69; ROR # 6, p. 790-91). CT Page 6633
There is substantial evidence in the record to support the hearing officer's finding that male cheerleaders were benched or dismissed because of their weight. Furthermore, the evidence demonstrates that there existed a legitimate and non-discriminatory reason for the set weight restriction on the female cheerleaders.
Sustaining the Ability to Bench Press 130 Pounds.
The plaintiffs claim there is no evidence in the record to support the hearing officer's finding that male cheerleaders were required to sustain the ability to bench press 130 pounds. The hearing officer found that male cheerleaders were required, through mandatory weekly weight training, to reach and sustain the ability bench press 130 pounds. (ROR # 1, pp. 4, 16). The record supports this finding.
Coach Kearney testified that there was a strength requirement for males. Specifically, the coach testified that male cheerleaders "had to be able to bench consistently 130 pounds." (ROR # 5, p. 739). Furthermore, Coach Kearney stated that they had "to lift 130 pounds for a significant amount of times." (ROR # 6, p. 790).
The credibility of fact witnesses are exclusively the province of the hearing officer. Laufer v. Conversation Commission ofFairfield,
The "Bench Press Ability's" Relevancy
The plaintiffs' final issue with the factual findings of the hearing officer concerns the relevancy of the ability of the male cheerleaders to bench press 130 pounds. The plaintiffs argue that this ability is irrelevant. The defendants contend, however, that the hearing officer's finding was relevant to show that the defendant, UConn, did not discriminate on account of gender.
The hearing officer found that "the evidence showed that the CT Page 6634 Respondents did not, either by their policies or by the actions they took concerning the Complainant's status, discriminate on the account of sex at all." (ROR # 1, p. 15-16). It has already been shown that the defendant, UConn's, desire for a competitive team led to a weight requirement for females. To lift those female cheerleaders, the male cheerleaders had to bench 130 pounds, five pounds over the maximum weight for females. The discrepancy was to insure that the "tossers" could lift a "moving girl." (sic) (ROR # 6, p. 900). The female weight standard was established after the coach studied other schools' programs. Furthermore, tossing stunts were the majority of cheers the squad performed. The hearing officer, therefore, concluded that the male/female, strength/weight requirements were legitimate, non-discriminatory standards and a bona fide occupational qualification (BFOQ) for cheerleading. (ROR # 1, p. 17).
There is substantial evidence in the record that BFOQ has a direct correlation to the requirement of the position of cheerleading. For the safety of both male and female cheerleaders, men had to be able to safely toss and catch women in cheerleading stunts. This safety concern satisfies the stringent BFOQ standard set forth in Connecticut Institute for the Blind v. CHRO,
The plaintiffs' appeal, therefore, on the ground that the hearing officer's findings of fact were not substantiated by the record, is unpersuasive.
The Public Accommodation Argument
The hearing officer found that the University of Connecticut may very well be a public accommodation, but the position of cheerleader is not. (ROR # 1, p. 13). The plaintiffs argue that the case the hearing officer applied, Quinnipiac Council v. CHRO,
CT Page 6635
"It is a discriminatory practice, . . . to deny any person within the jurisdiction of this state full and equal accommodations in every place of public accommodation, resort or amusement by reason of . . . sex . . . . The phrase place of public accommodation, resort or amusement is itself defined . . . as any establishment, which caters or offers its services or facilities or goods to the general public . . . ." (Citations omitted; internal quotation marks omitted.) Quinnipiac Council v. CHRO, supra,
The defendant argues that the hearing officer properly readQuinnipiac Council, supra, to hold that the public accommodation law applied to services offered, not to be of service. The plaintiffs assert that a cheerleader position within the university is not a service provider position, but one of where a service is provided to the participants. The plaintiffs claim that if the plaintiff, Budnik, had wanted to be a cheerleader coach, thenQuinnipiac Council would control in the manner the hearing officer suggests. This analogy, however, is faulted.
The hearing officer found that cheerleading was the opportunity to be of service. (ROR # 1, p. 12). While this finding may be tenuous, the hearing officer also found the position of cheerleader to be outside the realm of the public accommodation statute because it was not open to the general public. (ROR # 1, p. 13). "In the decision of whether a discriminatory public accommodation practice has occurred, the determinative issue is whether an establishment' that serves the general public' has denied access to its goods and services to a member of a protected class." Quinnipiac Council v. CHRO,
The hearing officer based his finding on the issue of whether the "specific position of cheerleader at the University of Connecticut is offered to the general public." (ROR # 1, p. 13). The testimony offered at the hearing demonstrated that "[o]nly full-time undergraduate students at the University of Connecticut who are in good academic standing," (ROR # 4, p. 514). Based on the evidence, the hearing officer found that this an CT Page 6636 extracurricular activity limited to a discreet group of people who meet certain specific qualifications. (ROR # 1, p. 13). "The University of Connecticut as a whole may be a public accommodation, but the specific position of cheerleader is not." Id.
The court finds the hearing officer's interpretation of the position of cheerleader persuasive in light of the example offered by the court in Quinnipiac Council, supra. The court stated if "a private university . . . opens it theater facilities for entertainment of the general public [it] cannot refuse admission for reasons of race or sex or other grounds made illegal . . . ."Quinnipiac Council v. CHRO, supra,
Failing to Cite General Statutes §
The plaintiffs' final argument is that the hearing officer failed to decide the plaintiff, Budnik's claim pursuant to General Statutes §
Section
The interpretation of statutes presents a question of law.Connecticut Humane Society v. FOIC,
To have sustained a claim under §
Therefore, it is evident that to the hearing officer, based on the evidence, the plaintiff failed to sustain the burden of demonstrating that the defendants discriminated. Even if she had met that burden, the hearing officer found that the defendants had a legitimate non-discriminatory reason for the weight restriction. (ROR # 1, p. 17). Furthermore, the hearing officer found that the plaintiff was not dismissed because of her weight, but her attitude. (ROR # 1, p. 23).
While the hearing officer may not have specifically addressed the §
Accordingly, for the foregoing reasons, the plaintiffs' appeal is dismissed.
Bishop, J.