WPC o57lq!/d;pqFoFR_-ʖ>XĀ08e1aRב?oeKLDD}{QW"s1; C5T^5gˑ/ۖɔ ;F^,ބG'{^J<,b~h c9{t6?iebU#]1f)vap[5`ĤS^¿:.$Z9áТ 6[ [w_21ïObh %x- @,ԹΗ)H$o@Apec`DO'|ޱRSlBCZc2H4Oj#z17xnxLL?S7fAǛb#\ % ^ # 0/ U(N w 4 z  i x mz   _ %  DN 0D;EOQ 1 72 1u 72J 0c|b 0 B 0  D3 D- 0K ASY 0r 0D AZHP LaserJet 4050 Series PCL 6,,,,0a-s (`$.8dd8    ("  Z6Times New Roman Regular,- k1Ф C:\PROGRA~1\COREL\WORDPE~1\TEMPLATE\CUSTOM~1\REVISE~1.WPTC:\Program Files\Corel\WordPerfect Office 2000\Template\Custom WP Templates\revised standard opinion.wpt3|xU Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5 : R"$      1    _Ԁ Thecommissionisencouragedtomakeoraldecisionsimmediatelyafterahearingonanyclaimifthe  commissionfindsfurtherdeliberationisunnecessary...(#$  0    R"$      2    _ԀTenn.CodeAnn.XX#XX#Ԁ98403(J)alsoprovides thatifaclaimisdisposedofbyanoralruling,counselforthe  prevailingpartyshallprepareandsubmitanappropriateorderreflectingsuchruling.Suchordershallincludeproposed  findingsoffactandconclusionsoflaw.... R"$      3    _ԀDr._Emans_ԀisanAfricanAmerican.(5hCEKQW]cioAutoList11.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.3#37=CIQYag1.a.i.(1)(a)(i)1)a)i)(;3$2#  0  .3  0    R"$      4    _Thejudgmentreproducedon_pages3&4isambiguous,andaremandforclarificationwouldordinarilybe  required.Forthepurposeofthisopinion,weinterpretthejudgmentasrequiring_TSU_Ԁtopaythedifferenceonthewage t scalesoftherespectivepositionsduringClaimantsactualtenureasafullprofessor.- -(|G2"$ !.8BdXXd8         0   d(|3d$ !.8BdXXd8     VVVV'dxd)!dxdx( $ Figure  1  ^_X`YE<<CLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5(|3d$ !.8BdXXd8     ($$   1  X[Z&OLE 2.0 Box <=8C HKKKK !.8Bdd8     _  B8XXdd8  @ DdBINTHECOURTOFAPPEALSOFTENNESSEE  @kk$ATNASHVILLE#BDd #Ԉ &   AssignedonBriefsMarch14,2001 L XXB #BXX#DR.ROBERT_EMANS_v.THEBOARDOFREGENTSOFTHESTATEOF J TENNESSEE,etal.XXB   ^ @@ AppealfromtheTennesseeClaimsCommission,MiddleDivision  ^ @@No.40447701W.R.Baker,PresidingCommissioner  J @@*AV) ` dE<` A   @@TTNo.M200002187_COA_ԄR3CVFiledNovember1,_2002_   AV) ` dE<` A      TheClaimantwasappointedDeanoftheCollegeofEducationofTennesseeStateUniversityin  1990,evidencedbyaNoticeofAppointmentandAgreementofEmployment.Fouryearslater,he x wasterminatedasDean,andappointedtothetenuredpositionofProfessor,atalessersalary.Inthis d actionhesoughtdamagesforbreachofcontract,interalia.TheCommissionruledthattheClaimant, P althoughlawfullyterminatedasDean,wasneverthelessentitledtoreceivethesalaryofadeanship. < ( Tenn.R.App.P.3AppealasofRight;JudgmentoftheTennesseeClaimsCommission d Reversed  P   BenH._Cantrell_,_P.J._,M.S.,#BX#XX.BԀWilliamC.Koch,Jr.,J.,#BX#XX.BandWilliamB.Cain,J.#BX #XX.B ( PaulG.Summers,AttorneyGeneralandReporter;_Denielle_Ԁ_Vonende_ԀYoung,AssistantAttorney  General,fortheappellant,StateofTennessee.  PatrickT._McNally_,Nashville,Tennessee,fortheappellee,Dr.Robert_Emans_. t  ' OPINION #BXXn #XXB L"!  PERCURIUM #BXX} #XXB 8#" #BXX #XXB    Dr.Robert_Emans_Ԁ[ Claimant]filedthisactionagainsttheBoardofRegentsoftheStateof %` $ Tennessee[ State]beforetheTennesseeClaimsCommissionseekingaredressofgrievancesfor %L!% breachofcontract,unlawfuldischarge,promulgationofracialdiscriminationandretaliatory &8"& dischargeresultingfromhisterminationasDeanoftheCollegeofEducationatTennesseeState '$#' University[_TSU_].Hesoughtequitableandmonetaryrelief,whichencompassedbackpayand ($( benefits,reinstatementasDean,damagesforembarrassment,humiliation,injury,relocation,and )$) attorneyfees. *%*   +&+ _  TheStatefiledamotiontodismissthecomplaintinitsentiretyongroundsof(1)failureto  stateaclaim,and(2)becausethereliefsoughtisbarredbythedoctrineofsovereignimmunity,with  theassertionthatthe onlyreliefallowedforbreachofcontractisactualdamagesonly.     TheCommissioner,mindfuloftheabjurationofTenn.CodeAnn.#BXXB #XXBԀ98403(J), #  1      #BXX#XXBԀpronounced ` hisdecisionfromthebench,findingthat(1)theClaimantwasanadministrativeappointeeandthus L  noteligiblefortenurestatus,(2)thathisterminationwasvalid,butthat(3) ...[_t]hey_Ԁgavehima 8  contractasatenuredprofessoratannualsalaryof$63,000.00ayear.Andthentheyhauledoffand $ t startedpayinghim$57,280.00.Theyjustcantdothat....whattheycannotdoisviolatethe  ` contracttheyenteredintotogivehimatenuredfullprofessorshipatasalarynolessthan$63,000.00  L  ayear...  8    Thejudgment,preparedbycounselfortheState,onlyonesentenceinlength,providesthat    [_t]he_Ԁdefendantsshallpaytheclaimantthedifferencebetweenwhatithasactuallypaidhimsince   histerminationfortheDeanshiponApril4,1994andthe$63,000.00ayearprovidedforinthe   contract,includingappropriatebenefits. #  2           TheStatefiledaRule59.04MotiontoAlterorAmendtheJudgmentongroundsthatthe \ rulingisnotsupportedbytheevidencebecause itseekstogiverelieftoclaimantonagroundwhich H claimanthaseffectivelywaived,allegingthatnoevidencewaspresented astowhatthesalary 4 statedonthefaceofthecontractwasintendedtogovern.  p   TheCommissiondeniedthemotion,holding,interalia,that [_t]he_Ԁcontractisambiguous H becauseitrefersbothtoAppointmentasDeanoftheSchool,andalsotoTenure;[andthat] 4 administrativeappointmentslikedeanshipsdonothavetenure,andsothecontractsprovisionof   Tenuremustgovernsomethingelse,suchasintheclaimantsacademicappointment.     TheCommissionreasonedfurtherthatthe  8  Stateledthisclaimanttodependonthiscontractwiththiscondition[tenure]init. l DoestheStatenowwanttodishonoritscontractandnowsaythatTenureisnota X  conditionofit?SuchdishonorisbeneaththedignityoftheStateandisunthinkable D! ....thisCommissionconcludesthatthiscontractsprovisionofTenuregoverns 0"  theamountofsalaryintheclaimantsacademicappointment.Theonlyalternative #l! tothisconclusionisthattheStatedeceivedthisclaimantandtrickedhimintosigning $X" acontractwhichsaysonitsfacethatitisgovernedbyTenure....$D #    %0!$   TheMotiontoAlterorAmendwasdenied.TheStateappeals,andpresentsforreview,the  soleissueofwhethertheCommissionimproperlydeniedtheMotiontoAlterorAmend.The  Claimantdoesnotappealandpresentsnodifferentissueforreview.Appellatereviewisdenovo  ontherecordwiththepresumptionthatthejudgmentiscorrectunlesstheevidencepreponderates t againstit.Rule13(d)Tenn.R.App.P.Astoconclusionsoflawthereisnopresumptionof ` correctness. L    TheClaimantwasformerlyaDeanatWilliamandMaryCollege,theUniversityof $ t Maryland,andtheUniversityofSouthDakota.Helearnedofthevacantdeanshipat_TSU_Ԁand  ` submittedhisapplication.Hewasawareofthelitigationstyled _Geier_Ԁv.Alexander,Gov.,andthe  L  BoardofRegents whereintheplaintiffsallegedthatthe_TSU_ԀPresidentandAdministratorhad  8  soughttobringabout_resegregation_Ԁandmaintaintheblackidentityof_TSU_,whichwassettledbyan $  agreementwhichprovided,interalia,fortheestablishmentofatargetofa50percentwhitefaculty   andupperleveladministrationwithinfiveyears.The_TSU_Ԁpositionwasachallengingone;he   realizedthatthe _Geier_ casecreatedtensions,exacerbatedbythefactthattheActingDeanofthe   CollegeofEducation,aCaucasian,wasacandidatefortheposition. #  3           Claimanttestifiedthatsincehewantedtohaveallthejobsecuritysafeguardspossible,he \ informedtheHiringCommitteethathewouldacceptthedeanshiponlyifheweregiventenure. H   Thereupon,theClaimantand_TSU_,onJune5,1990,enteredintoa NoticeofAppointment  p andAgreementofEmployment.ItprovidesfortheappointmentofDr.RobertL._Emans_Ԁas Dean  \ oftheSchoolintheDepartmentofEducationeffectiveJune1,1990foranannualsalaryof H $63,000.00. 4   Itfurtherprovides:   8   ` Thisistoconfirmyourappointmenttothepositionandsalaryoutlinedabove,  subjecttothetermsandconditionshereinaftersetforthandyouracceptancethereof:    (5h83"3"  8   ` 3*25h  1  .3  0     Inconsiderationoftheabovesalary,youagreetoperformsuchduties X  atsuchtimesandplacesandinsuchmannerastheinstitutionthrough D! itsrepresentativesmayfromtimetotimedirect.Youfurtheragreeto 0"  faithfullyperformthedutiesassignedtoyoutothebestofyour #l! ability,andtodevoteyourfulltimetotheinstitution,subjecttothe $X" generalsupervisionandpursuanttotheorders,advice,anddirection $D # oftheStateofTennessee,thepoliciesandrequirementsoftheState %0!$ BoardofRegents,andthepoliciesandrequirementsofthis &"% institution.3*+݌'#&    8   `  (#'   "3"  8   ` 3.25h  2  .3  0     Theabovestatedsalaryispayableattheaboverateinaccordance   withinstitutionalpoliciesandcontingentupontheapprovalofthe  StateBoardofRegentsandStateGovernment.3./݌  Ќ    "3"  8   ` 3025h  3  .3  0     ThisappointmentismadesubjecttothelawsoftheStateof ` Tennessee,thepoliciesandrequirementsoftheStateBoardof L  Regents,andthepoliciesandrequirementsofthisinstitution.300݌8   Ќ  8   `     "3"  8   ` 3225h  4  .3  0     Thisappointmentisforanunspecifiedperiodunlessotherwise  ` indicatedandshallcontinueforsuchtimeastheinstitutionisinneed  L  ofordesirousofyourservices.Aprobationaryperiodofsix(6)  8  monthsisrequiredofallnewlyappointedemployees.Duringthis $  period,thisagreementmaybeterminatedwithoutpriornotice.   Thereafter,eithertheinstitutionortheappointeemayterminatethis   agreementwithoutcauseatanytimeupon_____daysnotice.The   institutionreservestherighttoimposeaprobationaryperiodatany   timeduringemployment,duringwhichtimeadvancenoticeof p terminationwouldnotbeapplicable.322݌\  Ќ  8   `     "3"  8   ` 3625h  5  .3  0     Thefollowingspecialconditionsshallgovernthisappointment.36*7݌4  Ќ  8   `  Tenure__8@N   @N  p   8  0`   Youmustsignifyyouracceptanceofthisappointmentunderthetermsand H conditionssetforthbysigningeachcopyofthisnotice.#BXXW#4` `  _   `     h     _  XXBIn1994_TSU_ԀterminatedtheClaimantsappointmentasDeanoftheCollegeofEducation, 2 anddemotedhimtotheacademicrankofatenuredprofessorwithacorrespondingreductioninhis  compensation.ThesoleissuebeforeusiswhethertheCommissionproperlyawardedtheClaimant,   asdamagesforbreachofcontract,thedifferenceinsalarybetweenadeanshipandatenured  professor.#BXXq:#XXB    Attheoutset,wenotethatthefindingoftheCommissionthattenurecannotbeawardedto j! administratorsisnotcontestedonappeal.NeitherdoestheClaimantcontestthefindingofthe V"  CommissionthathisappointmentasDeanwasatthewillof_TSU_,andthathecouldbeterminated B#! atanytime.Moreover,thefindingoftheCommissionthat theessenceofthiscontractisthatDr. .$~" _Emans_Ԁwasbeinghiredfortwodifferentjobsisnotquestioned.Itisnotuncommonforsenior %j # membersofauniversitysadministrationtoholdbothadministrativeandfacultyappointments. &V!$ Administrationpositionsarenottenured.Facultypositionsaretenured.WhentheClaimantwas &B"% dischargedfromhispositionasDean,hethereuponbecameatenuredprofessor;thisconclusionis '.#& likewiseunquestioned. ($'   )%(   TheCommissionconcludedthatthecontractual provisionofTenuregovernstheamount  ofthesalaryintheclaimantsacademicappointment,i.e.thattheClaimant,inhispositionas  professor,shouldcontinuetobepaidaDeanssalary._ #  4      _     TheStatearguesthatthefindingoftheCommissionisnotsupportedbytheevidencenorby ` thepleadings,because theonlyissue...relativetosalarydealtexclusivelywiththedamageofback L  paysoughtasaresultofthewrongfulterminationoftheDeanship.Itisfurtherinsistedthatthe 8  Commissionerroneouslyconcludedthatthecontractualsalaryprovisionof$63,000.00was $ t applicablenotonlytoClaimantsdeanshipsalarybutalsotohissalaryasatenuredprofessor.We  ` areconstrainedtoagreewiththisargument.  L    ThepartiesagreethatupontheClaimantsterminationasDean,hewasappointedtothe $  positionofatenuredprofessorpursuanttopolicy.TheCommissionfound,simply,that tenure   governstheamountofthesalaryoftheclaimantsacademicappointment.Wefindnoevidencein   therecordtosupportthisfinding.Neitheristhereanyevidenceintherecordtosupportthe   Commissionsfindingthatthe defendantsgave[Claimant]acontractasatenuredprofessoratan   annualsalaryof$63,000.00ayear._TSU_ԀappointedtheClaimantasDeanofitsCollegeof p Educationandagreedtopayhim,asDean,$63,000.00annually.Thecontractprovidesfor \ terminationatwill,butthat tenureisaspecialconditionoftheappointment.Bothpartiestreated H thissomewhatcrypticphrasingasentitlingtheClaimanttoatenuredprofessorshipshouldthe 4 deanshipbeterminated,but,asstated,thereisnoevidenceintherecordtosupportafindingthatthe  p Claimant,asaprofessor,isentitledtoaDeanssalary.Thecontractsimplydoesnotaddressthe  \ issueofthesalaryofaprofessor,andtherecordcontainsnoevidencetojustifythearrogationof H authoritybytheCommissiontofixtheClaimantssalaryundertheguiseofdamagesforbreachof 4 contract.     AtenuredpositionentitledtheClaimanttocontinuedemploymentforanacademic,as  distinguishedfromafiscal,year.Anacademicyearisaninemonthsspan.Afiscalyearistwelve  months.TheresultinganomalywasrationalizedbytheCommissionthereby:  8  thecontractdoesnotrequire...theUniversity[to]paya12monthfiscalyear X  salaryforonly9monthsofwork;sincethecontractprovidesfortheclaimanttobe D! paidonafiscalyearbasistheUniversitycanexpecthimtoworkonafiscalyear 0"  basis.#l!     SufficetostatethattheBoardofRegentsand_TSU_Ԁareauthorizedtodeterminepolicy $D # pursuanttostatutoryauthority,andthatitisbeyondthepurviewoftheCommissionorthecourtsto %0!$ fixtheamountofsalariesorwhentheyshouldbepaid. &"%  '#& _  Thecontractatthecoreofthislitigationisformbased.Itadmittedlyisnotamodelof  clarity,butitrequiresnostrainedinterpretationtodeterminetheintentoftheparties,anditshould  beinterpretedandenforcedaswritten. ParkPlaceCenterEnterprises,Inc.v.ParkPlaceMall  Assoc. ,836S.W.2d113(Tenn.Ct.App.1992), RappConstr.Co.v.JayRealtyCo. ,809S.W.2d t 490(Tenn.App.Ct.1990). `   TheevidencepreponderatesagainstthejudgmentoftheCommission.Accordingly,the 8  judgmentisreversedandthecaseisdismissedatthecostsoftheClaimant. $ t    `     h     PERCURIUM