Lovell v. Ohio Wesleyan Univ.

[Cite as Lovell v. Ohio Wesleyan Univ., 2012-Ohio-2139.]
COURT OF APPEALS
DELAWARE COUNTY, OHIO
FIFTH APPELLATE DISTRICT
JUDGES:
ALISON B. LOVELL : Hon. W. Scott Gwin, P.J.
: Hon. Sheila G. Farmer, J.
Plaintiff-Appellant : Hon. Julie A. Edwards, J.
:
-vs- :
: Case No. 2011-CAE-06-0053
OHIO WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY :
:
Defendant-Appellee : OPINION
CHARACTER OF PROCEEDING: Civil appeal from the Delaware County
Court of Common Pleas, Case
No.10CVH010146
JUDGMENT: Affirmed
DATE OF JUDGMENT ENTRY: May 11, 2012
APPEARANCES:
For Plaintiff-Appellant For Defendant-Appellee
CHRISTOPHER L. TROLINGER WANDA L. CARTER
ROBERT PETTY CHRISTOPHER E. HOGAN
BEVERLY J. FARLOW NEWHOUSE, PROPHATER, LETCHER &
270 Bradenton Ave., Ste. 100 MOOTS, LLC
Dublin, OH 43017 5025 Arlington Centre Blvd., Ste. 400
Columbus, OH 43220
[Cite as Lovell v. Ohio Wesleyan Univ., 2012-Ohio-2139.]
Gwin, P.J.
{1} Plaintiff-appellant Alison B. Lovell appeals a judgment of the Court of
Common Pleas of Delaware County, Ohio, entered in favor of defendant-appellee Ohio
Wesleyan University. Appellant assigns five errors to the trial court:
{2} “I. THE TRIAL COURT ERRED AS A MATTER OF LAW AND FACT IN
FAILING TO DETERMINE WHAT SPECIFIC PROVISIONS CONSTITUTED THE
ENTIRETY OF THE CONTRACT.
{3} “II. THE TRIAL COURT ERRED AS A MATTER OF LAW AND FACT IN
FAILING TO FIND THAT THE ENTIRE FACULTY HANDBOOK WAS PART OF THE
CONTRACTUAL RELATIONSHIP THAT EXISTED BETWEEN APPELLANT AND
APPELLEE.
{4} “III. THE TRIAL COURT ERRED IN FINDING THAT ‘COLLEGIALITY’
WAS PROPERLY CONSIDERED BY THE UNIVERSITY WITHIN THE CONTEXT OF
THE CRITERIA SET FORTH IN THE HANDBOOK.
{5} “IV. THE TRIAL COURT ERRED IN FINDING THAT DEFENDANT-
APPELLEES FOLLOWED THE UNIVERSITY’S PROCEDURES FOR REVIEWING
PLAINTIFF-APPELLANT’S REAPPOINTMENT OR NON-REAPPOINTMENT AND
SUBSEQUENT APPEALS, AND THUS, DID NOT BREACH THEIR CONTRACTUAL
OBLIGATIONS.
{6} “V. THE TRIAL COURT ERRED AS A MATTER OF LAW IN FINDING
THAT THE DEFENDANT-APPELLEE DID NOT BREACH THEIR CONTRACTUAL
OBIGATIONS TO PLAINTIFF.”
Delaware County, Case No. 2011-CAE-06-0053 3
{7} This matter was tried without a jury. Appellee (hereinafter “the University”)
hired appellant for the position of Assistant Professor in the Department of Humanities
and Classics (the “Department”). The parties entered into one-year contracts for the
academic years 2007-2008, 2008-2009, and 2009-2010. Paragraph one of each
contract incorporated Chapter III of the University’s Faculty Handbook. Chapter III is
entitled “General Policies and Procedures Governing Faculty Contracts at Ohio
Wesleyan University”.
{8} At all times relevant to the lawsuit appellant was a probationary faculty
member. Chapter III of the University’s Faculty Handbook provides that reappointment
of a probationary faculty member will be proceeded by an evaluation by the Faculty
Personnel Committee. Chapter III also provides that written notice must be given to a
non-tenured faculty member if his or her contract will not be renewed.
{9} Appellant holds a Ph.D. in French with a certificate in Renaissance studies
and had twelve years of teaching experience at the post-secondary level. She was
hired with the assurance there was a maximum probationary period of seven years,
during which time her teaching, scholarship, and university service would be reviewed
and evaluated for a tenured position.
{10} Appellant states the Department had a troubled history even before her
hiring. She states during her employment at the University, she was ostracized,
excluded, bullied, and hazed by the senior members of the Department, and she and a
colleague repeatedly sought administrative intervention. As a result, the University
placed an administrative dean as acting chair of the Department.
Delaware County, Case No. 2011-CAE-06-0053 4
{11} Appellant was evaluated several times during her employment. The
University reappointed her in 2008. In January 2009, appellant received satisfactory
marks in all the categories of teaching, scholarly endeavors, and service. However, she
was informed that her collegiality and lack of cooperative spirit with her colleagues
within the Department could place her retention at risk.
{12} Appellant was then evaluated in April 2009 to determine if she would be re-
appointed for the academic year 2010-2011. The student board gave appellant high
marks for teaching and her students evaluated her highly. In May 2009, the University
informed appellant they would not retain her for the academic year 2010-2011.
{13} At the beginning of the 2008-2009 academic year, seven faculty members
were elected to serve on the Faculty Personnel Committee pursuant to the Faculty
Handbook. However, in February 2009, the only female member of the committee
recused herself from consideration of appellant’s reappointment, and on April 2, 2009,
she resigned from the committee. Chapter II of the Handbook requires the Faculty
Personnel Committee to have representatives of both genders. It also provides that in
the case of a vacancy, a new member shall be elected.
{14} The University asserts the female committee member’s resignation came
at a time when there were a number of matters, including appellant’s review, which had
to be resolved before the end of the term. Due to time constraints, the Faculty
Personnel Committee asked the University’s Executive Committee how it should
proceed. The Executive Committee directed the Faculty Personnel Committee to
resume its duties with the remaining elected members instead of delaying appellant’s
review until an election could be held. The Faculty Personnel Committee then
Delaware County, Case No. 2011-CAE-06-0053 5
proceeded to recommend appellant not be re-appointed for the academic year 2010-
2011.
{15} Appellant pursued her appeal through the University appeals process. The
University administration concurred with the Faculty Personnel Committee’s
recommendation. The Provost sent appellant a letter informing appellant she would not
receive a contract for the academic year 2010-2011, and her contract for the academic
year 2009-2010 would constitute her terminal contract with the University. The Faculty
Personnel Committee conducted a review with its decision and found no grounds to
reverse itself. Appellant then appealed the Faculty Personnel Committee’s decision of
non-reappointment to the Faculty Reappointment Appeals Committee.
{16} The Faculty Reappointment Appeals Committee upheld the Faculty
Personnel Committee’s decision, and appellant appealed to the President of the
University. The President found that all prescribed procedures had been properly
followed and that the Faculty Personnel Committee’s decision should not be overturned.
Appellant then brought suit in Common Pleas Court.
{17} The trial court found the University followed the proper procedures for
determining whether to reappoint appellant. The court found appellant’s collegiality or
lack thereof was properly considered by the University within the context of the criteria
set forth in the Handbook, and the University followed all the Handbook procedures as
stipulated in the employment contract.
{18} The interpretation of a written contract is reviewed de novo as a matter of
law. Chan v. Miami University, 73 Ohio St. 3d 52, 652 N.E. 2d 664 (1995). The trier of
fact’s determination of the facts are reviewed under the manifest weight of the evidence
Delaware County, Case No. 2011-CAE-06-0053 6
standard, and judgment supported by some competent and credible evidence going to
all the essential elements of the case may not be reversed. C.E. Morris Company v.
Foley Construction Company, 54 Ohio St. 2d 279, 376 N.E. 2d 578 (1978). This court
may not substitute our judgment for that of the trier of fact, because the trier of fact had
the opportunity to observe the witnesses and weigh the credibility of the testimony.
Seasons Coal Company, Inc. v. Cleveland, 10 Ohio St. 3d 77, 461 N.E. 2d 1273 (1984).
I & II
{19} In her first assignment of error, appellant argues the trial court erred in
failing to determine what specific provisions of the Faculty Handbook were part of the
contract between appellant and the University. In her second assignment of error,
appellant argues the trial court erred as a matter of law and fact, in not finding the entire
Faculty Handbook was a component of the employment contract.
{20} In each of the years appellant was employed, the University trustees and
appellant executed a one-page contract. The contract incorporates by reference
Chapter III of the Faculty Handbook, and also references the terms of pension and
insurance benefits described in Chapter VI, which is incorporated by reference “insofar
as the scope of this agreement includes them.”
{21} Appellant attached copies of each of the one-year contracts and only
Chapter III of the Handbook to her complaint.
{22} Appellant argued the entire faculty handbook should be considered as part
of the contract between the parties. Appellant cites us to Rehor v. Case Western
Reserve University, 43 Ohio St. 2d 224, 331 N.E. 2d 416 (1975) which held in
paragraph one of the syllabus:
Delaware County, Case No. 2011-CAE-06-0053 7
Where a university faculty member is employed, using standard
annual reappointment forms which do not set forth in full the terms and
conditions of employment the university’s employment policies, rules and
regulations become part of the employment contract between the
university and faculty member.
{23} The University replies because the contracts only incorporate Chapter III of
the Faculty Handbook and the section on benefits, only those sections were intended to
be part of the contracts between the parties.
{24} The trial court did not make an express finding regarding which chapters of
the Faculty Handbook could be construed as part of the contract. However, the court
did discuss the provisions of Chapter II of the Handbook, namely, the requirements that
the Faculty Personnel Committee must consist of seven members, with both genders
represented, and any vacancy must be filled by election. The court found the Executive
Committee unanimously found the Faculty Personnel Committee could proceed.
{25} We find while the trial court did not make express findings about
incorporating certain chapters or the entire Handbook into the contract, it nevertheless
did consider Chapter II in construing the contractual relationship between the parties.
{26} The first and second assignments of error are overruled.
III, IV & V
{27} In her remaining assignments of error, appellant argues the court erred
when it found the University followed the proper procedures in reviewing her non-
renewal, because it found the University could properly consider collegiality in reviewing
her employment. The Handbook sets out three factors: teaching, scholarship, and
Delaware County, Case No. 2011-CAE-06-0053 8
service. The Handbook specifies that the weight to be given to the factor of teaching is
60%, to scholarship 30%, and to service, 10%. Appellant asserts to insert collegiality as
a fourth criterion is a breach of the contract between the parties.
{28} The University replies that collegiality, disposition and ability to work with
others are factors that relate to all three criteria of teaching, scholarship, and service.
The University asserts “collegiality” is a term which refers to a variety of behaviors
including those that are contentious, derisive, divisive, non-cooperative, disruptive, or
otherwise negatively impact the faculty member’s performance, her colleagues, and the
functioning of the Department as a whole. Dr. Musser, the chairman of the Faculty
Personnel Committee, testified collegiality was not an independent category but rather,
it “infuses” every one of the categories and everything that goes on. The record
indicates appellant had not participated in committees and she created difficulties for
her students and for the faculty working with her. Appellant objected to teacher
observations and did not release weekly syllabi as required.
{29} Appellant cites us to Gogate v. Ohio State University, 42 Ohio App.3d 220,
537 N.E.2d 690 (10th Dist. 1987). In Gogate, the plaintiff challenged the denial of
tenure, alleging procedural irregularities, violation of his Due Process and Equal
Protection rights, and improper consideration of hearsay. The court of appeals found the
plaintiff was not prejudiced by the irregularities, which included allegations of failure of
notice, violations of university policy, improper members on the tenure committee, and
consideration of improper and irrelevant criteria. The plaintiff also complained that
several members of the committee abstained from voting, thus abdicating their
responsibilities. The Gogate case is not directly on point, but is similar to the one at bar.
Delaware County, Case No. 2011-CAE-06-0053 9
The Gogate court stated:
It was emphasized in Bassett v. Cleveland State Univ. (1982), Court of
Claims No. 82-02100, unreported, that a court should intervene only
where an administration has acted fraudulently, in bad faith, abused its
discretion, or where the candidate's constitutional rights have been
infringed. * * * We concur with the court's discussion in Kunda v.
Muhlenberg College (C.A. 3, 1980), 621 F.2d 532, 548: “ * * *
Determinations about such matters as teaching ability, research
scholarship, and professional stature are subjective, and unless they can
be shown to have been used as the mechanism to obscure discrimination,
they must be left for evaluation by the professionals, particularly since they
often involve inquiry into aspects of arcane scholarship beyond the
competence of individual judges. * * * ”
Gogate at 225-226.
{30} In Kirsch v. Bowling Green State University, 10th Dist. No. 95API 11-1476,
1996 WL 284717(May 30, 1996), the plaintiff challenged the denial of tenure arguing the
university applied improper criteria, including collegiality, “fitting in” and his personality.
The Kirsch court found collegiality and personality were properly considered only as
they affected the plaintiff’s performance with regard to teaching, research and service.
Kirsch at 4.
{31} We find such determinations are necessarily highly subjective. The record
here supports the court’s finding the appellant’s collegiality was properly considered in
the context of the review of her teaching, scholarship, and service.
Delaware County, Case No. 2011-CAE-06-0053 10
{32} Appellant also argues the University’s appeal process was a sham
because the Faculty Reappointment Appeals Committee did not adequately consider
the procedural irregularities of not having a female on the Faculty Personnel Committee,
did not overturn the consideration of collegiality in the evaluation process, and did not
take into account the weighting of the three criteria at 60%-30%-10%. Because we find
these were not procedural irregularities or improper considerations, we reject
appellant’s argument the University’s appeal process was a sham.
{33} In order to prove her claim for breach of contract, appellant had to show: 1.
the existence of a contract; 2. performance by the plaintiff; 3. nonperformance by the
defendant; and 4. damages as a result. Textron Fin. Corp. v. Nationwide Mutual
Insurance Co., 115 Ohio App.3d 137, 144, 684 N.E.2d 1261 (9th Dist.1996), citing
Garofalo v. Chicago Title Insurance Co., 104 Ohio App.3d 95, 108, 661 N.E.2d 218 (8th
Dist.1995). A plaintiff must prove the elements of a breach of contract by a
preponderance of the evidence. Cooper & Pachell v. Haslage, 142 Ohio App.3d 704,
707, 756 N.E.2d 1248 (9th Dist. 2001).
{34} We agree with the trial court the appellant did not demonstrate the
University breached the contract.
{35} The third, fourth, and fifth assignments of error are overruled.
Delaware County, Case No. 2011-CAE-06-0053 11
{36} For the foregoing reasons, the judgment of the Court of Common Pleas of
Delaware County, Ohio, is affirmed.
By Gwin, P.J.,
Farmer, J., and
Edwards, J., concur
_________________________________
HON. W. SCOTT GWIN
_________________________________
HON. SHEILA G. FARMER
_________________________________
HON. JULIE A. EDWARDS
WSG:clw 0426
[Cite as Lovell v. Ohio Wesleyan Univ., 2012-Ohio-2139.]
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS FOR DELAWARE COUNTY, OHIO
FIFTH APPELLATE DISTRICT
ALISON B. LOVELL :
:
Plaintiff-Appellant :
:
:
-vs- : JUDGMENT ENTRY
:
OHIO WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY :
:
:
Defendant-Appellee : CASE NO. 2011-CAE-06-0053
For the reasons stated in our accompanying Memorandum-Opinion, the
judgment of the Court of Common Pleas of Delaware County, Ohio, is affirmed. Costs
to appellant.
_________________________________
HON. W. SCOTT GWIN
_________________________________
HON. SHEILA G. FARMER
_________________________________
HON. JULIE A. EDWARDS