Brown v. Wood

592 P.2d 1250 (1979)

Greeta K. BROWN, Appellant, v. William WOOD et al., Appellees. William WOOD et al., Cross-Appellants, v. Greeta K. BROWN, Cross-Appellee.

Nos. 2564 and 2565.

Supreme Court of Alaska.

April 10, 1979.

Before BOOCHEVER, C.J., and RABINOWITZ, CONNOR and MATTHEWS, JJ.

We have granted appellant's petition for rehearing.

In our opinion in this case, reported in 575 P.2d 760 (Alaska 1978), we relied upon Monroe v. Pape, 365 U.S. 167, 81 S. Ct. 473, 5 L. Ed. 2d 492 (1961), together with Williford v. California, 352 F.2d 474 (9th Cir.1965), for our conclusion that the University of Alaska is not a "person" which may be held liable in a suit under 42 U.S.C. § 1983.[1]

While this case was pending on petition for rehearing, that portion of Monroe v. Pape, supra, on which we relied was overruled in Monell v. New York Dept. of Social Services, 436 U.S. 658, 98 S. Ct. 2018, 56 L. Ed. 2d 611 (1978). In view of this, we have concluded that our earlier opinion should be modified so that, in accord with Monell, the University of Alaska can be held liable in a suit under 42 U.S.C. § 1983.

Upon remand, the Superior Court shall be guided by the principles set forth in Monell, supra, and our earlier opinion, 575 P.2d at 766, shall be considered modified accordingly.

BURKE, J., not participating.

[1] That statute provides in pertinent part:

Every person who, under color of any statute ... custom or usage of any State . . causes to be subjected, any citizen of the United States ... to the deprivation of any rights, privileges or immunities secured by the Constitution and laws, shall be liable to the party injured in an action at law ...