The opinion
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
EASTERN DISTRICT OF LOUISIANA
J.DOE CIVIL ACTION
VERSUS NO. 21-205
OCHSNER HEALTH SYSTEM et al. SECTION: “G”(5)
ORDER AND REASONS
Plaintiff J. Doe (“Plaintiff”) was expelled from a medical school program jointly
administered by Ochsner Clinic Foundation (“Ochsner”) and University of Queensland (“UQ”)
(collectively, “Defendants”) after Plaintiff admitted to falsifying attendance documents, forging
the signatures of two of the physicians overseeing Plaintiff’s clinical rotations, and forging a
clinical assessment of Plaintiff’s performance during the rotation.1 Plaintiff asks this Court to
vacate Defendants’ decision to expel Plaintiff, because Plaintiff alleges that Defendants breached
their contractual obligations to Plaintiff.2 Before the Court is Defendants’ Motion for Summary
Judgment.3 Defendants seek summary judgment on Plaintiff’s claims because they argue that the
decision to expel Plaintiff was not arbitrary or capricious.4 Plaintiff opposes the motion and argues
that there are genuine issues of material fact in dispute precluding summary judgment.5
Considering the motion, the memoranda in support and in opposition, the record, and the applicable
1 See Rec. Doc. 36-1; Rec. Doc. 41-1.
2 Rec. Doc. 7.
3 Rec. Doc. 36.
4 Rec. Doc. 36-2 at 2.
5 Rec. Doc. 41.
law, the Court grants the motion.
I.Background
A. Factual Background
Most of the facts at issue in this case are undisputed.6 Defendants jointly administer a
medical school program with the first two years of classroom instruction occurring at UQ’s campus
in Brisbane, Australia, and the last two years of clinical instruction occurring at Ochsner Clinical
School in and around Southeast Louisiana.7 On August 25, 2015, Plaintiff received an offer to
enter the UQ/Ochsner Doctor of Medicine program.8 Plaintiff accepted the offer on September 2,
2015.9 In January 2016, Plaintiff began the UQ/Ochsner medical program with coursework at
UQ’s campus in Brisbane, Australia.10 After Plaintiff completed two years of classroom work in
Australia, Plaintiff moved to the New Orleans area in December 2017 to begin clinical rotations
through Ochsner.11
Beginning in 2012, Plaintiff sought treatment for mental health issues with Dr. Thomas
Richardson, and Plaintiff was diagnosed with major depressive disorder.12 In 2018, Plaintiff began
seeing Dr. Jennifer Archie, and Plaintiff was diagnosed with a moderate episode of recurrent major
depressive disorder.13 In the Fall of 2018, Plaintiff took a leave of absence from the medical
6 See Rec. Doc. 36-1; Rec. Doc. 41-1. Plaintiff argues that some of the facts presented by Defendants’
Statement of Uncontested Facts are not material. Id. Nevertheless, Plaintiff does not dispute the facts set forth in this
background.
7 Rec. Doc. 36-1 at 1; Rec. Doc. 41-1 at 2.
8 Rec. Doc. 36-1 at 1; Rec. Doc. 41-1 at 2–3.
9 Rec. Doc. 36-1 at 2; Rec. Doc. 41-1 at 3.
10 Rec. Doc. 36-1 at 2; Rec. Doc. 41-1 at 3.
11 Rec. Doc. 36-1 at 2; Rec. Doc. 41-1 at 3.
12 Rec. Doc. 36-1 at 3; Rec. Doc. 41-1 at 3.
13 Rec. Doc. 36-1 at 3; Rec. Doc. 41-1 at 6–7.
program to address these mental health issues, but Plaintiff ultimately completed those rotations
in January 2019.14
As part of Plaintiff’s clinical rotations, Plaintiff was enrolled in the course MED7319
General Practice, and Plaintiff was assigned to an Ochsner clinic in Slidell, Louisiana.15 Plaintiff
was required to attend a certain number of sessions each week at the clinic under the supervision
of Dr. Raymond Baez and Dr. Kenneth Long.16 To receive credit for the course, Plaintiff was
required to attend 28 of 30 scheduled sessions at the Slidell clinic.17 Despite only attending six of
the required sessions, Plaintiff submitted an attendance sheet purporting to be signed by Drs. Baez
and Long and purporting to confirm that Plaintiff attended the required 28 sessions.18
Ochsner’s Clerkship Director, Melissa Johnson, later learned from Dr. Long that Plaintiff
had not attended any of the required clinical rotations under Dr. Long’s supervision.19 Ms. Johnson
then confirmed with Dr. Baez that Plaintiff had only attended the required clinical rotation sessions
from July 1, 2019 through July 11, 2019.20
On September 5, 2019, Plaintiff attended meeting with Dr. Mehul Sheth and Ms. Johnson.21
During that meeting Plaintiff admitted to forging the signatures of Drs. Long and Baez on the
attendance sheet for the periods of June 24, 2019 to June 27, 2019 and July 15, 2019 to August 1,
14 Rec. Doc. 36-1 at 4; Rec. Doc. 41-1 at 6–7.
15 Rec. Doc. 36-1 at 5; Rec. Doc. 41-1 at 9.
16 Rec. Doc. 36-1 at 5; Rec. Doc. 41-1 at 9.
17 Rec. Doc. 36-1 at 5; Rec. Doc. 41-1 at 10.
18 Rec. Doc. 36-1 at 5; Rec. Doc. 41-1 at 10.
19 Rec. Doc. 36-1 at 6; Rec. Doc. 41-1 at 10.
20 Rec. Doc. 36-1 at 6; Rec. Doc. 41-1 at 11.
21 Rec. Doc. 36-1 at 7; Rec. Doc. 41-1 at 12.
2019.22 Plaintiff also admitted to falsifying a Clinical Participation Assessment that purported to
be filled out and executed by Dr. Baez.23 After Dr. Sheth’s initial investigation into Plaintiff’s
misconduct, Dr. Sheth referred the matter to the Course Coordinator, Dr. Ben Mitchell, in UQ’s
Faculty of Medicine.24 Dr. Mitchell then referred the matter to Professor Kirsty Foster, the Director
of UQ’s Office of Medical Education, and the UQ officer responsible for investigating student
misconduct in the medical school program.25
On October 8, 2019, Professor Foster sent a letter informing Plaintiff of Professor Foster’s
initial investigation of the matter.26 On October 10, 2019, Plaintiff met with Professor Foster via
Zoom as part of her investigation into Plaintiff’s misconduct.27 During the meeting with
Professor Foster, Plaintiff admitted to falsifying attendance records, forging clinical
instructors’ signatures, and falsifying an evaluation.28 On October 24, 2019, Professor Foster
notified Plaintiff by letter that she was referring the matter to the Academic Registrar for
potential violations of UQ’s Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy (“SIMP”).29 On October
24, 2019, Professor Foster also sent a letter to Professor Shaw, the Associate Dean (Academic).30
On November 7, 2019, Professor Shaw sent a letter to Mark Erickson, UQ’s Academic
22 Rec. Doc. 36-1 at 6–7; Rec. Doc. 41-1 at 12.
23 Rec. Doc. 36-1 at 6–7; Rec. Doc. 41-1 at 12.
24 Rec. Doc. 36-1 at 7; Rec. Doc. 41-1 at 13.
25 Rec. Doc. 36-1 at 8; Rec. Doc. 41-1 at 14.
26 Rec. Doc. 36-1 at 8; Rec. Doc. 41-1 at 14.
27 Rec. Doc. 36-1 at 8; Rec. Doc. 41-1 at 14–15.
28 Rec. Doc. 36-1 at 8; Rec. Doc. 41-1 at 15–16.
29 Rec. Doc. 36-1 at 8–9; Rec. Doc. 41-1 at 16.
30 Rec. Doc. 36-1 at 9; ; Rec. Doc. 41-1 at 17.
Registrar, referring Plaintiff’s misconduct to the Registrar.31 Professor Shaw sent a revised letter
to Mr. Erickson on November 21, 2019.32 Mr. Erickson referred the matter to Associate Professor
Karen Moni, the Acting Chair of the UQ Disciplinary Board, on December 3, 2019.33
On December 3, 2019 (New Orleans time)/December 4, 2019 (Brisbane time), UQ
Disciplinary Board Acting Secretary Marcelle Kancachian transmitted the Allegation Notice to
Plaintiff via email.34 The Allegation Notice informed Plaintiff that a hearing regarding Plaintiff’s
alleged misconduct was scheduled for December 11, 2019, on UQ’s campus in St. Lucia,
Australia.35 The Allegation Notice further informed Plaintiff that Plaintiff could attend the hearing
in person, alone or with a support person, or that Plaintiff could submit an indication of plea along
with a written statement regarding the allegations.36 On December 8, 2019, Plaintiff submitted an
Indication of Plea, admitting guilt as to all three of the misconduct allegations: (1) giving to the
University a document that the University requires of the student (e.g., medical certificate or other
supporting documentation) which is false; (2) making a false representation as to a matter affecting
a student as a student; and (3) knowingly providing false or misleading information to staff of the
University.37
The Disciplinary Board met on December 11, 2019.38 Plaintiff did not appear at the
31 Rec. Doc. 36-1 at 9; Rec. Doc. 41-1 at 18.
32 Rec. Doc. 36-1 at 9; Rec. Doc. 41-1 at 18.
33 Rec. Doc. 36-1 at 10; Rec. Doc. 41-1 at 21.
34 Rec. Doc. 36-1 at 11; Rec. Doc. 41-1 at 22.
35 Rec. Doc. 36-1 at 11; Rec. Doc. 41-1 at 22.
36 Rec. Doc. 36-1 at 11; Rec. Doc. 41-1 at 23.
37 Rec. Doc. 36-1 at 12; Rec. Doc. 41-1 at 27–28.
38 Rec. Doc. 36-1 at 13; Rec. Doc. 41-1 at 30.
hearing.39 The Disciplinary Board issued a decision letter to Plaintiff on December 17, 2019.40 The
Disciplinary Board imposed an initial penalty of suspension from the University for two years,
effective December 11, 2019; removal of credit for the MED7319 course; and a record of academic
misconduct on the University’s Misconduct Register.41
On January 19, 2020 (New Orleans time), Plaintiff emailed the Academic Registrar to
request an appeal.42 On February 9, 2020, UQ’s Student Conduct Department emailed Plaintiff
advising Plaintiff that members of the Senate Disciplinary Appeals Committee (“SDAC”), the
body that rules on appeals from the Disciplinary Board, would be unable to meet to consider
Plaintiff’s case until mid-March 2020.43 On March 9, 2020, the SDAC convened a hearing at UQ’s
St. Lucia campus.44 Plaintiff attended the SDAC hearing in person, along with Plaintiff’s mother
as a support person provided for by University policy.45 The SDAC’s deliberations were carried
over to March 10, 2020, when the SDAC made the determination that Plaintiff should be
expelled.46
On March 12, 2020, UQ’s Student Conduct Department emailed Plaintiff a Decision Letter
outlining the SDAC’s decision regarding Plaintiff’s appeal.47 The SDAC increased the penalty
39 Rec. Doc. 36-1 at 13; Rec. Doc. 41-1 at 30.
40 Rec. Doc. 36-1 at 13; Rec. Doc. 41-1 at 30.
41 Rec. Doc. 36-1 at 13; Rec. Doc. 41-1 at 30–31.
42 Rec. Doc. 36-1 at 14; Rec. Doc. 41-1 at 33–34.
43 Rec. Doc. 36-1 at 14; Rec. Doc. 41-1 at 34.
44 Rec. Doc. 36-1 at 14; Rec. Doc. 41-1 at 35.
45 Rec. Doc. 36-1 at 14; Rec. Doc. 41-1 at 37.
46 Rec. Doc. 41-1 at 61.
47 Rec. Doc. 36-1 at 16; Rec. Doc. 41-1 at 42.
from a two-year suspension to expulsion.48
B. Procedural Background
On February 1, 2021, Plaintiff filed a Complaint in this Court against Defendants Ochsner
Health System, the University of Queensland, and Ochsner Clinical School.49 On February 10,
2021, Plaintiff filed a First Supplemental and Amended Complaint, removing “Ochsner Clinical
School” as a party and clarifying the name of Ochsner Clinic Foundation, formerly known as
Ochsner Health System.50 Plaintiff alleges that UQ breached the terms of the SIMP in making its
decision to expel Plaintiff from the medical school program.51 Additionally, because Ochsner and
UQ were in privity of contract and jointly operated the medical school program, Plaintiff alleges
that all of the contractual rights between Plaintiff and UQ and/or Ochsner were the obligations of
both UQ and Ochsner.52 Plaintiff seeks an order vacating UQ’s decision, reinstating Plaintiff to
medical school, and awarding Plaintiff damages.53 On April 26, 2021, Defendants filed an Answer
and Affirmative and Other Defenses to the First Supplemental and Amended Complaint.54
On January 11, 2022, Defendants filed the instant motion for summary judgment.55 On
January 24, 2022, Plaintiff filed an opposition to the instant motion.56 On February 1, 2022,
48 Rec. Doc. 36-1 at 16; Rec. Doc. 41-1 at 42.
49 Rec. Doc. 1.
50 Rec. Doc. 7.
51 Id.
52 Id. at 27.
53 Id. at 28.
54 Rec. Doc. 16.
55 Rec. Doc. 36.
56 Rec. Doc. 41.
Defendants, with leave of Court, filed a reply brief in further support of the motion.57
II. Parties Arguments
A. Defendants’ Arguments in Support of the Motion
Defendants seek summary judgment on Plaintiff’s claims because they argue that the
decision to expel Plaintiff was not arbitrary or capricious.58 Defendants assert that academic
institutions are entitled to broad discretion in making decisions regarding academic misconduct.59
Additionally, Defendants note that private universities are allowed even more discretion than
public universities, who are bound by certain constitutional due process protections.60
Considering the wide deference given to private universities when making decisions
regarding academic misconduct, Defendants assert that Plaintiff cannot prevail on the breach of
contract claims by merely demonstrating a technical breach of the SIMP.61 Rather, Defendants
assert that Plaintiff must put forth specific evidence that UQ deviated from procedure to such an
extent that the disciplinary proceedings and the ultimate decision was arbitrary and capricious.62
Defendants contend that Plaintiff has put forth no evidence to show that either: (1) the decision-
making process lacked fundamental fairness or (2) UQ’s decision to expel Plaintiff from medical
school was arbitrary and capricious.63
According to Defendants, the SDAC did not deviate from any procedures set forth in the
57 Rec. Doc. 51.
58 Rec. Doc. 36-2 at 2.
59 Id. at 11.
60 Id. at 12.
61 Id. at 16.
62 Id.
63 Id.
SIMP.64 Defendants note that Plaintiff was afforded the opportunity to appear before the SDAC
and explain the misconduct, for which Plaintiff previously admitted guilt.65 Defendants note that
Plaintiff admitted to engaging in “level 3 – serious” academic misconduct, and the SIMP provides
that expulsion is a penalty for such misconduct.66 According to Defendants, the alleged issues
Plaintiff has raised with respect to the SDAC process do not justify overriding its decision.67
Because the SDAC, rather than the Disciplinary Board, imposed the expulsion, Defendants
contend that the Court need not examine the process or substance of the Disciplinary Board’s
decision.68 Nevertheless, because the actions of the Disciplinary Board form the basis of many of
Plaintiff’s allegations, Defendants argue that the Disciplinary Board provided Plaintiff with a
timely hearing as required by the SIMP.69 Finally, even if the Court were to find that the
Disciplinary Board or the SDAC deviated from the SIMP, Defendants argue that summary
judgment is still appropriate because Plaintiff cannot put forth evidence that the SDAC’s decision
was so egregious such that it “did not exercise professional judgment.”70
B. Plaintiff’s Arguments in Opposition to the Motion
Plaintiff admits the misconduct that occurred in this case.71 Plaintiff does not dispute that
“the wrongs, if analyzed after a fair, proper, and consistent process, could [] justify a suspension
64 Id. at 16–17.
65 Id. at 17.
66 Id. at 18.
67 Id. at 19.
68 Id. at 20.
69 Id.
70 Id. (quoting Regents of the Univ. of Mich. v. Ewing, 474 U.S. 214, 225–26 (1985)).
71 Rec. Doc. 41 at 2.
or, potentially, expulsion.”72 Nevertheless, Plaintiff asserts that Defendants “essentially subverted
the ‘procedural fairness’ [they were contractually] obligated to provide to [Plaintiff].”73
Plaintiff asserts that Defendants’ “legal analysis is couched in broad talismanic terms but
never articulates the true legal standard governing this conflict.”74 Although Plaintiff recognizes
the wide discretion typically afforded to universities, Plaintiff asserts “universities cannot obligate
themselves to a course of conduct and then not adhere thereto.”75 Plaintiff notes that Defendants
do not dispute the contractual nature of the SIMP as applied to the relationship between Defendants
and Plaintiff.76 Plaintiff cites I.F. v. Administrators of the Tulane Educational Fund77 for the
proposition that a private university is free to craft its Code of Conduct, but once crafted the Code
is a contract with the student that the university is compelled to respect.78 Plaintiff also cites
Kaltenbaugh v. Board of Supervisors79 for the proposition that a university’s failure to adhere to
its own binding procedures is arbitrary and capricious.80
Next, Plaintiff argues that Defendants violated several provisions in the SIMP.81 Plaintiff
asserts that UQ violated Section 7.6.2 of the SIMP, a mandatory internal notice provision requiring
72 Id.
73 Id.
74 Id. at 4.
75 Id.
76 Id.
77 13-0696 (La. App. 4 Cir. 12/23/2013); 131 So. 3d 491.
78 Rec. Doc. 41 at 6.
79 2018-1085 (La. App. 4 Cir. 10/23/19); 282 So. 3d 1133.
80 Rec. Doc. 41 at 6–7.
81 Id. at 9.
it to refer an allegation of misconduct to a decision maker within five business days.82 Additionally,
Plaintiff asserts that Defendants violated the SIMP’s guarantee of “procedural fairness” and a
“reasonable opportunity” “to appear before the Decision Maker.”83 Plaintiff contends that
Defendants’ argument that Plaintiff “chose not to appear at the hearing” is unsupported by the
record.84 Plaintiff contends that there were practical impediments preventing travel from the
United States to Australia for the December 11, 2019 hearing, since Plaintiff did not receive notice
of the hearing until December 3, 2019 (New Orleans time)/December 4, 2019 (Brisbane time).85
Finally, Plaintiff argues that the breaches in the SIMP process were not cured by the
SDAC’s de novo appeal process.86 Plaintiff contends that there is a question of fact in dispute as
to whether “an appeal would have been taken if the prior proceedings conformed to contractual
obligations in the first place.”87 Plaintiff states that an appeal would not have been taken if Plaintiff
“had a reasonable opportunity to appear before the [Disciplinary Board] to present information and
they nonetheless suspended [Plaintiff] as that was a penalty [Plaintiff] recognized as potentially
appropriate.”88 Plaintiff states that the appeal was filed due to “the significant procedural defects
so as to address medical information concerns.”89 Plaintiff contends that the factual issue as to this
decision making process, in light of Defendants’ breaches, cannot be resolved on summary
82 Id. at 9, 18.
83 Id. at 10–12.
84 Id. at 14–15.
85 Id.
86 Id. at 21.
87 Id.
88 Id. at 22.
89 Id.
judgment.90 Moreover, Plaintiff asserts that the SDAC process was flawed because it did not
receive some of the materials presented to the Disciplinary Board, including briefing notes
containing precedent cases indicating that suspension was imposed by the university in similar
misconduct cases.91 Plaintiff also argues that there were flaws in the March 10, 2020 deliberations
because information suggests that a member of the SDAC may not have been present and the
SDAC discussed “new information from a witness, whose involvement was not made known to
[Plaintiff] and to whose information [Plaintiff] could not respond.”92 Plaintiff concludes that “[n]ot
only is it likely the SDAC would not have been empaneled if [Defendants] had met their obligation
of procedur[al] fairness and provided [Plaintiff] with a reasonable opportunity to appear, but the
conduct of the SDAC itself is much at issue.”93
C. Defendants’ Arguments in Further Support of the Motion
In the reply brief, Defendants argue that Plaintiff cannot establish that a particular deviation
from procedure was so extreme that it rendered the decision to expel Plaintiff “arbitrary and
capricious.”94 Defendants assert that the Kaltenbaugh case, upon which Plaintiff relied, is
inapposite because it involved an employment agreement rather than student discipline.95
Defendants also assert that the I.F. case, upon which Plaintiff extensively relied, is inapposite
because it involved general misconduct rather than academic misconduct.96 Additionally,
90 Id.
91 Id. at 22–23.
92 Id. at 24.
93 Id. at 25.
94 Rec. Doc. 51 at 2.
95 Id. at 3 (citing Kaltenbaugh, 282 So. 3d at 1133).
96 Id. (citing Kaltenbaugh, 282 So. 3d at 1133).
Defendants argue that Plaintiff misinterprets the holding in I.F.97 Defendants assert that “the I.F.
court did not hold that failure to comply with university policy rendered a university’s actions
arbitrary and capricious, it held that the trial court failed to consider that standard” when the trial
court denied a motion for a preliminary injunction.98
Defendants assert that the decision to expel Plaintiff was not arbitrary, in that Plaintiff has
not established that any evidence was disregarded or given improper weight.99 Likewise,
Defendants argue that the decision was not capricious, as Plaintiff admitted guilt.100 Defendants
note that the SIMP provides for expulsion as a penalty for Level 3 misconduct, and Plaintiff
admitted to engaging in Level 3 misconduct.101 Defendants assert that no alleged deviation from
the procedures set forth in the SIMP can alter the fact that Plaintiff admitted guilt throughout the
process and the decision to expel Plaintiff was based on substantial evidence.102
Defendants assert that the timing of the internal referral of Plaintiff’s case to the
Disciplinary Board is not material because the Allegations Notice was transmitted to Plaintiff
nineteen business days after the conclusion of the preliminary investigation.103 Additionally,
Defendants assert that UQ did not violate the provision of the SIMP providing for a reasonable
opportunity to appear.104 Defendants note that Plaintiff submitted a written statement, which
97 Id. at 4 (citing I.F., 131 So. 3d at 491).
98 Id. at 4–5 (citing I.F., 131 So. 3d at 491).
99 Id. at 6.
100 Id.
101 Id.
102 Id.
103 Id. at 7.
104 Id. at 8.
Defendants suggest satisfied the requirements of the SIMP.105 Defendants also note that Plaintiff
presented no evidence to suggest that Plaintiff could not have made arrangements to appear in
Australia within the timeframe allowed.106 Finally, Defendants assert that Plaintiff has not
presented any competent evidence of a violation of any provision of the SIMP by the SDAC.107
To the extent Plaintiff argued that the SDAC may not have considered the same precedent cases
as the Disciplinary Board, Defendants assert that “[t]he Disciplinary Board and the SDAC are not
courts of law rigidly bound to follow precedent in prior cases.”108 Finally, Defendants contend that
“[t]he specifics of the second day of deliberations are irrelevant to whether the decision made by
the SDAC was arbitrary and capricious.”109
III.Legal Standard
A. Legal Standard for Summary Judgment
Summary judgment is appropriate when the pleadings, discovery, and affidavits
demonstrate “no genuine dispute as to any material fact and the movant is entitled to judgment as
a matter of law.”110 To decide whether a genuine dispute as to any material fact exists, the court
considers “all of the evidence in the record but refrains from making credibility determinations or
weighing the evidence.”111 All reasonable inferences are drawn in favor of the nonmoving party.
Yet “unsupported allegations or affidavits setting forth ‘ultimate or conclusory facts and
105 Id.
106 Id.
107 Id. at 9.
108 Id. at 10.
109 Id.
110 Fed. R. Civ. P. 56(a); see also Little v. Liquid Air Corp., 37 F.3d 1069, 1075 (5th Cir. 1994).
111 Delta & Pine Land Co. v. Nationwide Agribusiness Ins. Co., 530 F.3d 395, 398–99 (5th Cir. 2008).
conclusions of law’ are insufficient to either support or defeat a motion for summary judgment.”112
If the entire record “could not lead a rational trier of fact to find for the non-moving party,” then
no genuine issue of fact exists and, consequently, the moving party is entitled to judgment as a
matter of law.113 The nonmoving party may not rest upon the pleadings.114 Instead, the nonmoving
party must identify specific facts in the record and articulate the precise manner in which that
evidence establishes a genuine issue for trial.115
The party seeking summary judgment always bears the initial responsibility of showing the
basis for its motion and identifying record evidence that demonstrates the absence of a genuine
issue of material fact.116 “To satisfy this burden, the movant may either (1) submit evidentiary
documents that negate the existence of some material element of the opponent’s claim or defense,
or (2) if the crucial issue is one on which the opponent will bear the ultimate burden of proof at
trial, demonstrate that the evidence in the record insufficiently supports an essential element of the
opponent’s claim or defense.”117 If the moving party satisfies its initial burden, the burden shifts
to the nonmoving party to “identify specific evidence in the record, and to articulate” precisely
how that evidence supports the nonmoving party’s claims.118 The nonmoving party must set forth
112 Galindo v. Precision Am. Corp., 754 F.2d 1212, 1216 (5th Cir. 1985); Little, 37 F.3d at 1075.
113 Matsushita Elec. Indus. Co. v. Zenith Radio Corp., 475 U.S. 574, 586 (1986).
114 Celotex Corp. v. Catrett, 477 U.S. 317, 325 (1986).
115 See id.; Ragas v. Tenn. Gas Pipeline Co., 136 F.3d 455, 458 (5th Cir. 1998).
116 Celotex, 477 U.S. at 323.
117 Duplantis v. Shell Offshore, Inc., 948 F.2d 187, 190 (5th Cir. 1991) (quoting Little, 939 F.2d at 1299).
118 Forsyth v. Barr, 19 F.3d 1527, 1537 (5th Cir. 1994), cert. denied, 513 U.S. 871 (1994); see also Morris
v. Covan World Wide Moving, Inc., 144 F.3d 377, 380 (5th Cir. 1998).
“specific facts showing the existence of a ‘genuine’ issue concerning every essential component
of its case.”119
The nonmovant’s burden of demonstrating a genuine issue of material fact is not satisfied
merely by creating “some metaphysical doubt as to the material facts,” “by conclusory
allegations,” by “unsubstantiated assertions,” or “by only a scintilla of evidence.”120 Moreover, the
nonmoving party may not rest upon mere allegations or denials in its pleadings.121 Hearsay
evidence and unsworn documents that cannot be presented in a form that would be admissible in
evidence at trial do not qualify as competent opposing evidence.
B. Judicial Review of Academic Misconduct Proceedings
The Supreme Court has recognized that “[i]t is not the role of the federal courts to set aside
decisions of school administrators which the court may view as lacking in wisdom or
compassion.”122 “[C]ourts should refrain from second-guessing the disciplinary decisions made by
school administrators.”123 “A university is not a court of law, and it is neither practical nor desirable
it be one.”124 Ultimately, a court’s review of a university’s disciplinary decisions “must focus on
ensuring the presence of fundamentally fair procedures to determine whether the misconduct has
occurred.”125
119 Morris, 144 F.3d at 380; see also Bellard v. Gautreaux, 675 F.3d 454, 460 (5th Cir. 2012).
120 Little, 37 F.3d at 1075 (internal citations omitted).
121 Morris, 144 F.3d at 380.
122 Wood v. Strickland, 420 U.S. 308, 326 (1975).
123 Davis v. Monroe Cnty. Bd. of Educ., 526 U.S. 629, 648 (1999).
124 Plummer v. Univ. of Hous., 860 F.3d 767, 773 (5th Cir. 2017) (quoting Flaim v. Med. Coll. of Ohio, 418
F.3d 629, 635 n.1 (6th Cir. 2005)).
125 Id. (internal citations and quotation marks omitted).
Much of the caselaw surrounding judicial review of a school disciplinary matter arises in
the context of public education. The right to public education constitutes a property interest
protected by the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment, and “a State ‘may not
withdraw that right on grounds of misconduct absent [] fundamentally fair procedures to determine
whether the misconduct has occurred.’”126 These same protections are not available to students
enrolled in private colleges and universities.127 Causes of actions against private colleges and
universities are generally limited to breach of contract claims.128
Here, the parties do not dispute that the SIMP created contractual obligations between
Defendants and Plaintiff. Additionally, the parties do not dispute that Louisiana law applies to
Plaintiff’s breach of contract claim against both Ochsner and UQ.
Under Louisiana law, “[a] contract between a private institution and a student confers
duties upon both parties, which cannot be arbitrarily disregarded and may be judicially
enforced.”129 To state a claim for breach of contract, “a plaintiff must point to an identifiable
contractual promise that the defendant failed to honor.”130 “Such a claim does not require an
inquiry into the nuances of educational processes and theories, but rather, involves an objective
assessment of whether the institution made a good faith effort to perform on its promise.”131
126 Harris ex rel. Harris v. Pontotoc Cnty. Sch. Dist., 635 F.3d 685, 690 (5th Cit. 2011) (alteration in original)
(citing Goss v. Lopez, 419 U.S. 565, 574 (1975)).
127 See Beauchene v. Miss. Coll., 986 F. Supp. 2d 755, 768 (S.D. Miss. 2013) (citing Rendell–Baker v. Kohn,
457 U.S. 830, 837 (1982); NCAA v. Tarkanian, 488 U.S. 179, 191 (1988)).
128 Guidry v. Our Lady of the Lake Nurse Anesthesia Program Through Our Lady of the Lake Coll., 2014-
0461 (La. App. 1 Cir. 1/29/15); 170 So. 3d 209, 213 (“It is generally held across the jurisdictions of the United States
that the basic legal relation between a student and a private university or college is contractual in nature.”).
129 Id. at 213–14 (internal citation omitted).
130 Id. at 214.
131 Id.
Louisiana courts “have declined to apply contract law rigidly in these cases, when doing so would
result in overriding a purely academic determination.”132
Additionally, a “private institution has almost complete autonomy in controlling its internal
disciplinary procedures.”133 “[A] private institution is entitled to a very strong but rebuttable
presumption that its internal administrative actions are taken in absolute good faith and for the
mutual best interest of the school and the student body.”134 “[A] private institution, as compared
to a public institution, has the power to create, administer and implement its own rules and
procedures concerning the qualifications and conduct of its students, staff and faculty.”135
Nevertheless, “[t]he fact that the judiciary adheres to this policy of judicial restraint does
not render the actions of a private institution inviolate.”136 “The disciplinary decisions of a private
school may be reviewed for arbitrary and capricious action.”137 The Louisiana Supreme Court has
defined “capricious” as a “conclusion made without substantial evidence or a conclusion contrary
to substantial evidence.”138 The word “arbitrary” “implies a disregard of evidence or of the proper
weight thereof.”139
132 Id.
133 Ahlum v. Adm’rs of Tulane Educ. Fund, 617 So. 2d 96, 98 (La. App. 4 Cir.), writ denied sub nom. Ahlum
v.Adm'rs of Tulane Educ. Fund, 624 So. 2d 1230 (La. 1993) (citing Flint v. St. Augustine High Sch., 323 So. 2d 229,
233 (La. App. 4 Cir. 1975), writ denied, 325 So. 2d 271 (La. 1976)).
134 Id. (quoting Flint, 323 So. 2d at 235, n.1).
135 Id.
136 Id.
137 Id. (citing Babcock v. Baptist Theological Seminary, 554 So. 2d 90, 97 (La. App. 4 Cir. 1989); Lexington
Theological Seminary v. Vance, 596 S.W.2d 11 (Ky. Ct. App. 1979); Tedeschi v. Wagner Coll., 404 N.E.2d 1302
(N.Y. 1980); Coveney v. President & Trs. of Holy Cross Coll., 445 N.E.2d 136 (Mass. 1983)).
138 Coliseum Square Assoc. v. New Orleans, 544 So. 2d 351, 360 (La. 1989).
139 Id.
IV.Analysis
Defendants seek summary judgment on Plaintiff’s claims because they argue that the
decision to expel Plaintiff was not arbitrary or capricious.140 In response, Plaintiff argues that a
university’s failure to follow its own disciplinary procedures can be considered arbitrary and
capricious.141
To support this assertion, Plaintiff primarily relies on I.F. v. Administrators of the Tulane
Educational Fund.142 In that case, the plaintiff, I.F., a Tulane University student, was charged with
simple rape and false imprisonment of another university student, but he was later acquitted on all
charges.143 After the acquittal, I.F. participated in a three-day disciplinary proceeding before the
Tulane Joint Hearing Board for allegedly committing “Sexual Misconduct” in violation of the
Code of Student Conduct.144 The Board found I.F. responsible for sexual misconduct as charged
because it found that “clear and convincing” evidence existed that the victim was intoxicated and
that I.F. knew, or should have known, this fact.145 After Tulane’s Appellate Board dismissed I.F.’s
appeal of the hearing board’s decision, I.F. filed a petition for preliminary injunction and
permanent injunction in Louisiana state court.146 The trial court dismissed the petition, and I.F.
appealed.147 On appeal, the Louisiana Fourth Circuit Court of Appeal reversed, holding that “the
140 Rec. Doc. 36-2 at 2.
141 Rec. Doc. 41 at 6.
142 13-0696 (La. App. 4 Cir. 12/23/2013); 131 So. 3d 491.
143 Id. at 493.
144 Id. at 494.
145 Id.
146 Id.
147 Id.
trial court erred in granting the motion to dismiss before holding an evidentiary hearing as required
by law.”148
On remand, the trial court held an evidentiary hearing but limited the evidence to the issue
of due process.149 Following the evidentiary hearing, the trial court issued judgment in favor of
Tulane finding that I.F. received due process in connection with the Tulane proceedings and that
Tulane’s decision was not arbitrary or capricious.150 I.F. appealed for a second time, and the
Louisiana Fourth Circuit Court of Appeal held that the trial court erred by issuing reasons for
judgment on the issues of arbitrariness and capriciousness because no such evidence was presented
at the evidentiary hearing.151
The appellate court also found that the trial court erred by failing to examine the appellate
process afforded by Tulane.152 The appellate court found that Tulane and I.F. were in a contractual
relationship during I.F.’s attendance at the university, and Tulane “imposed upon itself the duty by
its own policies and procedures and it is obligated contractually to follow through completely,
meaningfully, and in good faith.”153 The appellate court noted that I.F. was not provided with a
copy of the Conduct Manual, which included a three-page single-spaced explanation of sexual
misconduct cases and the questions the joint hearing boards must answer in deciding whether to
sustain a charge.154 The Louisiana Fourth Circuit found that “I.F. was entitled to know the
148 Id. at 494–95.
149 Id. at 495.
150 Id.
151 Id. at 497.
152 Id.
153 Id. at 497–98.
154 Id.
standards by which his evidence would be received, his burden of proof, and what the hearing
panel would be considering when determining whether he was guilty of sexual misconduct.”155
Based on the evidence presented, the court found that “I.F.’s procedural due process rights were
ill-defined, ambiguously applied, and, as such, presumptively violated.”156 Therefore, the court
reversed the trial court’s decision and remanded the matter in order to afford the parties an
opportunity to put on all relevant evidence as to the due process afforded to I.F. and the
arbitrariness and capriciousness of Tulane’s decision.157
Considering this precedent, a university’s failure to adhere to its own binding procedures
can make a resulting decision arbitrary and capricious.158 Nevertheless, to state a claim for breach
of contract, “a plaintiff must point to an identifiable contractual promise that the defendant failed
to honor.”159 “Such a claim does not require an inquiry into the nuances of educational processes
and theories, but rather, involves an objective assessment of whether the institution made a good
faith effort to perform on its promise.”160 Louisiana courts “have declined to apply contract law
rigidly in these cases, when doing so would result in overriding a purely academic
determination.”161
Here, Plaintiff admitted to engaging in academic misconduct. Academic misconduct
155 Id. at 499–500.
156 Id. at 500.
157 Id.
158 See also Kaltenbaugh v. Bd. of Supervisors, 2018-1085 (La. App. 4 Cir. 10/23/19); 282 So. 3d 1133
(“Because SUNO did not follow its own binding procedures, its decision was arbitrary and capricious, and not entitled
to deference.”).
159 Guidry, 170 So. 3d at 214.
160 Id.
161 Id.
investigations and proceedings at UQ are governed by the Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy
(“SIMP”).162 The SIMP defines the rights of students under the policy as follows: “In accordance
with the requirements of procedural fairness, students have the right to – (a) have a case of alleged
misconduct dealt with as promptly as possible; (b) receive a copy of, or an opportunity to inspect,
all relevant evidence held by the decision-maker; (c) be given an opportunity to appear before the
decision-maker to answer the allegation; (d) appeal a decision to a designated person or body who
is not the decision-maker.”163 The SIMP defines academic misconduct to include “making a false
representation as to a matter affecting a student as a student” and “giving to the University a
document that the University requires of the student (e[.g.,] medical certificate or other supporting
documentation) which is false.”164 The SIMP defines “level 3” misconduct as misconduct that is
“serious.”165 The SIMP additionally provides that in cases of level 3 academic misconduct “a
decision-maker may impose . . . expulsion from the University.”166
On December 8, 2019, Plaintiff submitted an Indication of Plea, admitting guilt as to all
three of the misconduct allegations: (1) giving to the University a document that the University
requires of the student (e.g., medical certificate or other supporting documentation) which is false;
(2) making a false representation as to a matter affecting a student as a student; and (3) knowingly
providing false or misleading information to staff of the University.167 The Disciplinary Board met
162 Rec. Doc. 36-5 at 87–108.
163 Id. at 91.
164 Id. at 92.
165 Id. at 94.
166 Id. at 100–01.
167 Rec. Doc. 36-1 at 12; Rec. Doc. 41-1 at 27–28.
on December 11, 2019.168 Plaintiff did not appear at the hearing.169 The Disciplinary Board issued
a decision letter to Plaintiff on December 17, 2019.170 The Disciplinary Board imposed an initial
penalty of suspension from the University for two years, effective December 11, 2019; removal of
credit for the MED7319 course; and a record of academic misconduct on the University’s
Misconduct Register.171
On January 19, 2020 (New Orleans time), Plaintiff emailed the Academic Registrar to
request an appeal.172 On March 9, 2020, the SDAC convened a hearing at UQ’s St. Lucia
campus.173 Plaintiff attended the SDAC hearing in person, along with Plaintiff’s mother as a
support person provided for by University policy.174 The SDAC’s deliberations were carried over
to March 10, 2020, when the SDAC made the determination that Plaintiff should be expelled.175
On March 12, 2020, UQ’s Student Conduct Department emailed Plaintiff a Decision Letter
outlining the SDAC’s decision regarding Plaintiff’s appeal.176 The SDAC increased the penalty
from a two-year suspension to expulsion.177
Plaintiff argues that Defendants breached their obligations under the SIMP by: (1) failing
to follow certain internal referral requirements; and (2) failing to give Plaintiff a reasonable
168 Rec. Doc. 36-1 at 13; Rec. Doc. 41-1 at 30.
169 Rec. Doc. 36-1 at 13; Rec. Doc. 41-1 at 30.
170 Rec. Doc. 36-1 at 13; Rec. Doc. 41-1 at 30.
171 Rec. Doc. 36-1 at 13; Rec. Doc. 41-1 at 30–31.
172 Rec. Doc. 36-1 at 14; Rec. Doc. 41-1 at 33–34.
173 Rec. Doc. 36-1 at 14; Rec. Doc. 41-1 at 35.
174 Rec. Doc. 36-1 at 14; Rec. Doc. 41-1 at 37.
175 Rec. Doc. 41-1 at 61.
176 Rec. Doc. 36-1 at 16; Rec. Doc. 41-1 at 42.
177 Rec. Doc. 36-1 at 16; Rec. Doc. 41-1 at 42.
opportunity to appear at the Disciplinary Board hearing.178 Plaintiff also argues that alleged errors
in the SDAC’s appellate review rendered the decision to expel Plaintiff arbitrary and capricious.179
Each of these issues is addressed in turn.
A. Failure to Follow Internal Referral Requirements
Plaintiff contends that a five-business-day mandatory referral requirement was violated in
this case.180 The SIMP provides that complaints of academic misconduct are first referred “to a
relevant integrity officer,” after which a member of staff must “conduct a preliminary investigation
in a timely manner” “in consultation with the integrity officer.”181 After conclusion of a
preliminary investigation, an Integrity Officer may decide to counsel a student for inadvertent,
unintentional, and minor academic misconduct.182 “If the Integrity Officer or Academic Registrar
does not decide to counsel a student . . . the Integrity Officer or Academic Registrar must refer the
allegation to relevant decision-maker, giving consideration to the nature of the allegation and the
disciplinary record of the student.”183 Section 7.6.2 of the SIMP provides, “[t]he Integrity Officer
or Academic Registrar must refer an allegation of misconduct to a relevant decision-maker within
5 business days of the completion of the preliminary investigation.”184 Section 8.3.1 further
provides, “[i]f an allegation is referred to a decision-maker following a preliminary investigation
under section 7.3, the decision-maker must issue an allegation notice to the student within 14
178 Rec. Doc. 41 at 9–21.
179 Id. at 21–25.
180 Id. at 9–10.
181 Rec. Doc. 36-5 at 95.
182 Id.
183 Id. at 96.
184 Id.
business days.”185
Plaintiff argues that Defendants violated Section 7.6.2 of the SIMP. On November 7, 2019,
Professor Shaw sent a letter to Mark Erickson, UQ’s Academic Registrar, referring Plaintiff’s
misconduct to the Registrar.186 Plaintiff asserts that this letter marked the end of the “preliminary
investigation” and triggered the five-business-day referral requirement found in Section 7.6.2.
Defendants do not dispute that Mr. Erickson was not an authorized decisionmaker under the SIMP,
and therefore the referral from Professor Shaw to Mr. Erickson did not satisfy the requirements of
Section 7.6.2.187 On December 3, 2019, Mr. Erickson referred the matter to Associate Professor
Karen Moni, the Acting Chair of the UQ Disciplinary Board, who was an authorized
decisionmaker under the SIMP.188
Even assuming that Defendants technically violated Section 7.6.2, Plaintiff has not
demonstrated that such a violation would render the ultimate decision to expel Plaintiff arbitrary
or capricious. As Defendants point out, the five-business-day referral requirement is an internal
deadline, and the SIMP does not require that the student receive a copy of the referral to the
decisionmaker. Pursuant to Section 8.3.1, the decisionmaker must issue an allegation notice to the
student within 14 business days of the referral. Reading Sections 7.6.2 and 8.3.1 together, the
university must issue the allegation notice to the student within 19 business days of the completion
of the preliminary investigation. The allegation notice was issued to Plaintiff on December 4, 2019
(Brisbane time), which was within nineteen business days of November 7, 2019. Therefore,
185 Id. at 97.
186 Rec. Doc. 36-1 at 9; Rec. Doc. 41-1 at 18.
187 Defendants dispute whether the preliminary investigation was in fact complete on November 7, 2019.
Rec. Doc. 51 at 7. The Court need not resolve this factual dispute.
188 Rec. Doc. 36-1 at 10; Rec. Doc. 41-1 at 21.
Plaintiff received notice within the period contemplated by the SIMP. Accordingly, there are no
material facts in dispute and the allegation notice was issued to Plaintiff in substantial compliance
with the university’s procedures.189
B. Failure to Give Plaintiff a Reasonable Opportunity to Appear at the Disciplinary Board
Hearing
Plaintiff asserts that Defendants violated the SIMP’s guarantee of “procedural fairness”
and a “reasonable opportunity” “to appear before the Decision Maker.”190 Plaintiff contends that
Defendants’ argument that Plaintiff “chose not to appear at the hearing” is unsupported by the
record.191 Plaintiff contends that there were practical impediments preventing travel from the
United States to Australia for the December 11, 2019 hearing, since Plaintiff did not receive notice
of the hearing until December 3, 2019 (New Orleans time)/December 4, 2019 (Brisbane time).192
Section 4.2(a) of the SIMP provides that “[d]isciplinary procedures must be fair and just,
and consistent with the requirements of procedural fairness.193 Section 5(a) provides that a student
has “the right to . . . be given an opportunity to appear before the decision-maker to answer the
allegation.”194 Pursuant to Section 8.5.3(b), the decisionmaker must “give the student a reasonable
opportunity to appear before the decision-maker to answer the allegations, and in particular, to
comment on the substantive material on which the allegation is based.”195
189 See Beauchene, 986 F. Supp. 2d at 771.
190 Rec. Doc. 41 at 10–12.
191 Id. at 14–15.
192 Id.
193 Rec. Doc. 36-5 at 91.
194 Id.
195 Id. at 98.
The SIMP does not obligate UQ to ensure Plaintiff’s in-person attendance at the hearing.
Plaintiff argues that Defendants denied Plaintiff a “reasonable opportunity” to appear because the
Allegations Notice was sent to Plaintiff less than five business days prior to the hearing. Plaintiff
cites the deposition testimony of UQ’s 30(b)(6) representative, Mark Erikson, who testified that
five business days would be “reasonable” notice.196 However, the SIMP does not obligate UQ to
send the Allegation Notice to Plaintiff at least five business days prior to the commencement of
the Disciplinary Board hearing. Therefore, Defendants did not violate any specific provision of the
SIMP when they sent notice of the December 11, 2019 hearing to Plaintiff on December 4, 2019
(Brisbane time).
Plaintiff was also given a reasonable opportunity to be heard, both in person and in writing.
Plaintiff was able to submit a written statement and evidence to comment on the substance of the
allegations. Specifically, on December 8, 2019, Plaintiff submitted an Indication of Plea, admitting
guilt as to all three of the misconduct allegations: (1) giving to the University a document that the
University requires of the student (e.g., medical certificate or other supporting documentation)
which is false; (2) making a false representation as to a matter affecting a student as a student; and
(3) knowingly providing false or misleading information to staff of the University.197 Plaintiff’s
deposition testimony establishes that Plaintiff had the opportunity to write whatever Plaintiff
wanted on the statement submitted to the Disciplinary Board and that Plaintiff could submit any
evidence to be considered by the Disciplinary Board.198 Therefore, Plaintiff was not denied a
reasonable opportunity to answer the allegations and to comment on the material supporting those
196 Rec. Doc. 41-3 at 10.
197 Rec. Doc. 36-1 at 12; Rec. Doc. 41-1 at 27–28.
198 Rec. Doc. 36-4 at 60–61.
allegations.
Additionally, Plaintiff also has not shown that Plaintiff was not afforded a reasonable
opportunity to attend the Disciplinary Board hearing in person. Plaintiff notes the logistical
challenges of traveling from the United States to Australia on such short notice. In a declaration,
Plaintiff states, “I did not receive sufficient advance notice to make necessary preparations
including but not limited to travel arrangements, locating a support person to accompany me,
reviewing all documents presented in the agenda, seeking counsel and preparing my testimony.”199
However, Plaintiff has presented no evidence to show that Plaintiff was unable to make
arrangements to appear in Australia at the hearing within the time frame allowed. Although
traveling to Australia on such a short time frame would have been difficult, Plaintiff has not shown
that it was impossible. Additionally, Plaintiff did not request a continuance of the hearing to allow
more time to arrange travel, nor did Plaintiff request an accommodation, such as appearing via
Zoom. Considering the undisputed evidence in the record, Plaintiff was provided a reasonable
opportunity to appear at the December 11, 2019 hearing, but Plaintiff chose to submit a written
Indication of Plea, statement, and supporting documentation rather than travel to Australia to
appear in person.
Alternatively, a reasonable fact finder could not conclude that Defendants’ failure to give
Plaintiff more notice of the hearing date rendered the disciplinary decision arbitrary or capricious.
Plaintiff admitted guilt at each stage of the disciplinary proceeding. The Disciplinary Board’s
decision was based on substantial evidence and was not contrary to the evidence.200 Additionally,
199 Rec. Doc. 41-11 at 1.
200 Coliseum Square Assoc., 544 So. 2d at 360.
the Disciplinary Board did not disregard evidence or improperly weigh the evidence presented.201
Accordingly, there are no material facts in dispute as to this issue, and the Court concludes that
Defendants gave Plaintiff sufficient notice of the Disciplinary Board Hearing in substantial
compliance with the university’s procedures.202
C. Alleged Errors in the SDAC’s Appellate Review
Plaintiff also argues that alleged errors in the SDAC’s appellate review rendered the
decision to expel Plaintiff arbitrary and capricious.203 Plaintiff argues that the breaches in the SIMP
process were not cured by the SDAC’s de novo appeal process.204 Plaintiff contends that there is a
question of fact in dispute as to whether “an appeal would have been taken if the prior proceedings
conformed to contractual obligations in the first place.”205 This argument is unavailing because,
for the reasons discussed above, the Disciplinary Board hearing substantially complied with the
university’s procedures.
Moreover, Plaintiff asserts that the SDAC process was flawed because it did not receive
some of the materials presented to the Disciplinary Board, including briefing notes containing
precedent cases indicating that suspension was imposed by the university in similar misconduct
cases.206 However, Plaintiff does not explain how the failure to consider precedent cases could
violate the SIMP. Plaintiff admitted committing level 3 academic misconduct, and the SIMP
provides that in cases of level 3 academic misconduct “a decision-maker may impose . . . expulsion
201 Id.
202 See Beauchene, 986 F. Supp. 2d at 771.
203 Rec. Doc. 41 at 21–25.
204 Id. at 21.
205 Id.
206 Id. at 22–23.
from the University.”207
Plaintiff also argues that there were flaws in the March 10, 2020 deliberations because
information suggests that a member of the SDAC may not have been present.208 However, this
argument is completely unsubstantiated. The SDAC was comprised of four individuals, two of
whom were students, Lachlan Green and Ethan Van Roo Douglas.209 Plaintiff asserts that there is
no affirmative evidence establishing that the students attended the March 10, 2019 meeting.210
However, it is undisputed that all four members of the SDAC ultimately agreed with the SDAC’s
decision to expel Plaintiff.211
Finally, Plaintiff argues that the SDAC discussed “new information from a witness, whose
involvement was not made known to [Plaintiff] and to whose information [Plaintiff] could not
respond.”212 Specifically, the SDAC file contains a “file note” from an interview with Maree
Nelson of the medical faculty.213 Ms. Nelson did not testify at the SDAC hearing.214 The note
states:
207 Rec. Doc. 36-5 at 100–01. Plaintiff also argues that the SDAC did not receive the November 7, 2019 report
of preliminary investigation, the November 23, 2019 email advising that Student Conduct was pushing through as
many Disciplinary Board proceedings before the end of the year as possible, or the November 29, 2019 correspondence
reporting contact from legal counsel. Rec. Doc. 41 at 23. These documents are internal communications between UQ
staff, not evidence considered by the Disciplinary Board.
208 Rec. Doc. 36-5 at 24.
209 Rec. Doc. 41-1 at 59.
210 Id. at 60.
211 Rec. Doc. 36-1 at 16; Rec. Doc. 41-1 at 42.
212 Rec. Doc. 40 at 24.
213 Rec. Doc. 41-7 at 128.
214 Id. at 14–15.
File Hate = Gopversadion with Mlaree Melson, Medicine Faculty
Fraction In USA
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- Langer program than prescribed — wall be looked upon as a negative in the US
> Hithe student dors not pet to practice as amecical practitioner = they many pet a job in
bhather country with the qualifications that they pain ie. Australes
IT apended — 304 would be likely to allow the student to come back after undertaking remedial
acbithies
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= Student applies themselves
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The note appears to provide background information on how a suspension from medical school
would impact a medical professional in the United States. Plaintiff does not provide a specific
argument as to how consideration of this information violated the SIMP. Moreover, Plaintiff has
not shown that consideration of this information rendered the SDAC’s decision arbitrary and
capricious. The SDAC’s decision was based on substantial evidence and was not contrary to the
evidence.) Additionally, the SDAC did not disregard evidence or improperly weigh the evidence
resented.*!° Accordingly, there are no genuine issues of material fact in dispute and Defendants
are entitled to judgment as a matter of law.
215 Coliseum Square Assoc., 544 So. 2d at 360.
216 Td.
31
V.Conclusion
Under Louisiana law, “[a] contract between a private institution and a student confers
duties upon both parties, which cannot be arbitrarily disregarded and may be judicially
enforced.”217 Louisiana courts “have declined to apply contract law rigidly in these cases, when
doing so would result in overriding a purely academic determination.”218 “[A] private institution,
as compared to a public institution, has the power to create, administer and implement its own
rules and procedures concerning the qualifications and conduct of its students, staff and faculty.”219
Nevertheless, “[t]he fact that the judiciary adheres to this policy of judicial restraint does not render
the actions of a private institution inviolate.”220 “The disciplinary decisions of a private school may
be reviewed for arbitrary and capricious action.”221
Here, Plaintiff was expelled from a medical school program jointly administered by
Ochsner Clinic Foundation and University of Queensland after Plaintiff admitted to falsifying
attendance documents, forging the signatures of two of the physicians overseeing Plaintiff’s
clinical rotations, and forging a clinical assessment of Plaintiff’s performance during the
rotation.222 Plaintiff filed this suit seeking to vacate Defendants’ decision to expel Plaintiff because
Plaintiff alleges that Defendants breached their contractual obligations to Plaintiff.223 For the
217 Guidry, 170 So. 3d at 213–14 (internal citation omitted).
218 Id. at 214.
219 Ahlum, 617 So. 2d at 98.
220 Id.
221 Id. (citing Babcock, 554 So. 2d at 97; Lexington Theological Seminary, 596 S.W.2d 11; Tedeschi, 404
N.E.2d 1302; Coveney, 445 N.E.2d 136).
222 See Rec. Doc. 36-1; Rec. Doc. 41-1.
223 Rec. Doc. 7.
reasons set forth above, the undisputed evidence establishes that Defendants’ decision to expel
Plaintiff was not arbitrary or capricious. The SDAC’s decision was based on substantial evidence
and was not contrary to the evidence.””* Additionally, the SDAC did not disregard evidence or
improperly weigh the evidence presented.”*° Therefore, because there are no material facts in
dispute, the Court grants summary judgment in favor of Defendants. Accordingly,
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that Defendants’ Motion for Summary Judgment””® is
GRANTED.
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA, this 4th day of March, 2022.
Orrellt □□□□
NANNETTE JOLI TE BROWN
CHIEF JUDGE
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
224 Coliseum Square Assoc., 544 So. 2d at 360.
225 Td.
26 Rec. Doc. 36.
33