Filed Date: June 6, 2003
Closed Date: Feb. 19, 2004
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On June 6, 2003, four female students filed a lawsuit in the United States District Court for the District of Maine under Title IX of the Education Amendment of 1972 and the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment against Colby College. The plaintiffs, represented by private counsel, claimed that the College violated their rights to participate in athletics based on their sex. Specifically, the plaintiffs claimed that Colby College provided male athletes with more funding, newer equipment, more coaching, and a better locker room. The plaintiffs sought injunctive relief and attorney's fees.
On June 23, 2003, Colby College moved to dismiss the Equal Protection claim on the basis that, as a private college, they were not a state actor and therefore could not be sued under 48 USC 1983. On July 31, 2003, the Court (Judge John Woodcock, Jr.) granted the defendant's motion.
On February 19, 2004, the parties reached a settlement and stipulated to dismissal of the action with prejudice. While the settlement agreement was not filed, new reports state the Colby College agreed to adjust coaching assignments, remodel the women's locker room, and maintain policies and practices to ensure equivalent programs for men's and women's teams.
Summary Authors
Richard Jolly (2/22/2014)
For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/11709718/parties/bonner-v-colby-college-president/
Kravchuk, Margaret J. (Maine)
Coughlin, Eugene C (Maine)
Schiller, Samuel (Tennessee)
Crouter, Jerrol A. (Maine)
Hewey, Melissa A. (Maine)
Kravchuk, Margaret J. (Maine)
See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/11709718/bonner-v-colby-college-president/
Last updated March 3, 2024, 3 a.m.
State / Territory: Maine
Case Type(s):
Key Dates
Filing Date: June 6, 2003
Closing Date: Feb. 19, 2004
Case Ongoing: No
Plaintiffs
Plaintiff Description:
High school students claim denial of equal treatment and benefits accompanying opportunity to participate in athletics based on gender; including funding, supplies, travel, and coaching.
Plaintiff Type(s):
Public Interest Lawyer: No
Filed Pro Se: No
Class Action Sought: No
Class Action Outcome: Not sought
Defendants
Colby College (Waterville), Private Entity/Person
Defendant Type(s):
Case Details
Causes of Action:
Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, 20 U.S.C. §§ 1681 et seq.
Available Documents:
Outcome
Prevailing Party: Plaintiff
Nature of Relief:
Injunction / Injunctive-like Settlement
Source of Relief:
Form of Settlement:
Order Duration: 2004 - 2004
Content of Injunction:
Issues
Discrimination-area:
Discrimination-basis:
Affected Sex or Gender:
Type of Facility: