Case: Zmora v. Minnesota

0:01-cv-01905 | U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota

Filed Date: Oct. 17, 2001

Closed Date: 2004

Clearinghouse coding complete

Case Summary

On October 17, 2001, a Jewish professor at St. Cloud State University ("SCSU") in Minnesota filed a lawsuit under both Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, 42 U.S.C. § 2000e et. seq., and the Minnesota Human Rights Act ("MHRA"), Minn. Stat. § 363.01 et. seq. against the Minnesota State College and University System in the United States District Court for the District of Minnesota. The plaintiff, represented by private counsel, asked the court for remedial and monetary relief, alleging routine an…

On October 17, 2001, a Jewish professor at St. Cloud State University ("SCSU") in Minnesota filed a lawsuit under both Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, 42 U.S.C. § 2000e et. seq., and the Minnesota Human Rights Act ("MHRA"), Minn. Stat. § 363.01 et. seq. against the Minnesota State College and University System in the United States District Court for the District of Minnesota. The plaintiff, represented by private counsel, asked the court for remedial and monetary relief, alleging routine anti-Semitic discrimination at SCSU. Specifically, the plaintiffs alleged a pattern and practice of discrimination with respect to hiring, promotion, scheduling, and retention of Jewish faculty.

On January 17, 2002, the defendant filed a motion for summary judgment. On April 10, 2002, the court (Judge Joan E. Lancaster) granted in part, and denied in part, the defendant's motion. Plaintiff's individual claim for retaliation under Title VII, as alleged in Count III of the amended complaint, was dismissed with prejudice; in all other respects, the defendant's motion was denied.

On December 5, 2002, the court (Judge Lancaster) provisionally certified the class. The plaintiffs represented a class of two subgroups: the first included all past and present Jewish faculty members and all Jewish persons who had applied for employment at SCSU. The second included all faculty and students (both Jewish and non-Jewish) who had been retaliated against for opposing and objecting to the defendant's illegal discriminatory practices and/or petitioning the government for redress of grievances.

On February 10, 2003, the court (Judge Lancaster) issued an Order Approving Class Action Settlement. The agreement provided for remedial and monetary relief, consisting of implementing a variety of changes relating to its training, notification and anti-discrimination policies, as well as the establishment of a Jewish Studies and Resource Center. SCSU also agreed to pay the sum of $50,000 to the non-excluding members of the settlement class, and an additional $265,000 between the three named Plaintiffs. Further details of the distribution are specified in the Settlement Agreement (41).

Summary Authors

Nathaniel Koslof (4/10/2008)

People


Judge(s)

Ericksen [Lancaster], Joan N. (Minnesota)

Kyle, Richard House (Minnesota)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Arbour, Donald S. (Minnesota)

Harris, Paul R. (Minnesota)

Attorney for Defendant

Cunningham, Gary R. (Minnesota)

Documents in the Clearinghouse

Documents in this case

0:01-cv-01905

Docket [PACER]

Nov. 18, 2004

Nov. 18, 2004

Docket
20

0:01-cv-01905

Memorandum Opinion and Order Granting in Part and Denying in Part Motion for Summary Judgment

Zmora, et al v. Minnesota, State of, et al

April 10, 2002

April 10, 2002

Order/Opinion

2002 WL 539075

41

0:01-cv-01905

Order Provisionally Certifying Class

Zmora, et al v. Minnesota, State of, et al

Dec. 5, 2002

Dec. 5, 2002

Order/Opinion
50

0:01-cv-01905

Order Approving Class Action Settlement

Zmora, et al v. Minnesota, State of, et al

Feb. 10, 2003

Feb. 10, 2003

Order/Opinion

Docket

Last updated March 27, 2025, 8:35 a.m.

ECF Number Date Description Link
3 Dec. 14, 2001

ANSWER by defendants 8pg(s) (DFL) (Entered: 12/18/2001)

PACER
12 Dec. 14, 2001

STIPULATION that pltfs may file their amended complaint. 2pgs (VEM) Modified on 01/29/2002 (Entered: 01/28/2002)

PACER
13 Dec. 14, 2001

AMENDED COMPLAINT [1-1] by plaintiff; jury demand; adding Suzanne L Williams. 24 pg(s) (VEM) Modified on 01/29/2002 (Entered: 01/28/2002)

PACER
4 Dec. 21, 2001

ORDER FOR PRETRIAL CONFERENCE ( Magistrate Judge John M. Mason / 12/20/01) pretrial conference set for 1:45 p.m. on 1/23/02 ; Rule report ddl set for 1/16/02 4pg(s) (cc: all counsel) (DFL) (Entered: 12/26/2001)

PACER
5 Jan. 16, 2002

REPORT OF RULE 26(f) MEETING 7pg(s) (DFL) (Entered: 01/18/2002)

PACER
6 Jan. 17, 2002

MOTION by defendants for partial judgment on the pleadings ( to Judge Richard H. Kyle ) 5pg(s) (DFL) (Entered: 01/19/2002)

PACER
7 Jan. 17, 2002

MEMORANDUM by defendants in support of motion for partial judgment on the pleadings [6-1] 15pg(s) (DFL) (Entered: 01/19/2002)

PACER
8 Jan. 17, 2002

AFFIDAVIT of Gary R. Cunningham regarding motion for partial judgment on the pleadings [6-1] 2+pg(s) (DFL) (Entered: 01/19/2002)

PACER
9 Jan. 18, 2002

NOTICEby plaintiffs of association of counsel Beau D McGraw 2 pg(s) (VEM) (Entered: 01/22/2002)

PACER
10 Jan. 22, 2002

MEMORANDUM by plaintiff in opposition to motion for partial judgment on the pleadings [6-1] 18 pg(s) (DFL) (Entered: 01/23/2002)

PACER
11 Jan. 22, 2002

AFFIDAVIT of Daniel W. Schermer regarding motion for partial judgment on the pleadings [6-1] 2+pg(s) (DFL) (Entered: 01/23/2002)

PACER
14 Jan. 25, 2002

REPLY MEMORANDUM by defendants in support of motion for partial judgment on the pleadings [6-1] 12pg(s) (DFL) (Entered: 01/28/2002)

PACER
15 Jan. 25, 2002

AFFIDAVIT of Gary R. Cunningham regarding motion for partial judgment on the pleadings [6-1] 2+pg(s) (DFL) (Entered: 01/28/2002)

PACER
16 Jan. 28, 2002

PRETIRAL SCHEDULING ORDER ( Magistrate Judge John M. Mason ) amd complaint set for 4/1/02. 4 pg(s) (cc: counsel) (VEM) (Entered: 01/29/2002)

PACER
17 Jan. 28, 2002

ORDER ( Magistrate Judge John M. Mason ) Pltfs may file the stipulation and amended complaint nunc pro tunc 12/14/01. The answers of defts filed [docket Nos. 2 and 3] may serve as answers to the amended complaint. 2 pg(s) (cc: all counsel) (VEM) (Entered: 01/29/2002)

PACER
18 Jan. 28, 2002

AMENDED NOTICE by defendants setting hearing for motion for partial judgment on the pleadings ( to Judge Richard H. Kyle ) [6-1] at 8:00 a.m. on 2/7/02 5pg(s) (DFL) (Entered: 01/29/2002)

PACER
19 Feb. 7, 2002

MINUTES:( Judge Richard H. Kyle / R. Riley) taking under advisement Deft's motion for partial judgment on the pleadings. [6-1] 1 pg(s) (VEM) (Entered: 02/07/2002)

PACER
20 April 10, 2002

MEMORANDUM, OPINION, AND ORDER: ( Judge Richard H. Kyle / 4/10/02) granting in part defendants' motion for partial judgment on the pleadings [6-1]; plaintiff Hoy's individual claim for retaliation under Title VII, as alleged in Count III of the amended complaint is dismissed with prejudice; in all other respects, the defendants' motion is denied 24pg(s) (cc: all counsel) (DFL) (Entered: 04/12/2002)

PACER
21 April 24, 2002

MOTION by plaintiffs to compel responses to discovery requests ( to Magistrate Judge John M. Mason ) , ret. 5/8/02 at 3:00 p.m. 4pg(s) (DFL) (Entered: 04/29/2002)

PACER
22 April 24, 2002

MEMORANDUM by plaintiffs in support of motion to compel responses to discovery requests [21-1] 24pg(s) (DFL) (Entered: 04/29/2002)

PACER
23 April 24, 2002

AFFIDAVIT of Donald S. Arbour regarding motion to compel responses to discovery requests [21-1] p2+g(s) (DFL) (Entered: 04/29/2002)

PACER
24 April 29, 2002

MINUTES:(Magistrate Judge John M. Mason / elec.) Pltf's Mtn to Compel {21-1} withdrawn without prejudice to permit full compliance with local rule 3.7 1pg(s) (GJS) (Entered: 05/01/2002)

PACER
25 May 8, 2002

PROTECTIVE ORDER (Magistrate Judge John M. Mason) It is ordered that documents which defts believe to be not public shall be stamped confidential and will be used solely in connection with this litigation and will not be dislcosed outside this litigation. i Pltfs counsel, independent experts and consultants and other persons including possible witnesses in this litigation shall also be bound by the terms of this protective order and shall not disclose any nonpublic data outside this litigation. 6pg(s) (cc: all counsel) (GJS) (Entered: 05/10/2002)

PACER
26 May 20, 2002

NOTICE ( Clerk Richard D. Sletten / 5/20/02) Case reassigned to Judge Joan E. Lancaster. Case referred to Magistrate Judge Arthur J. Boylan. 1 pg (cc: all counsel) ( (Entered: 05/20/2002)

PACER
27 May 22, 2002

NOTICE of settlement conference set for 9:30 a.m. on 6/14/02 1pg(s) (DFL) (Entered: 05/23/2002)

PACER
29 June 14, 2002

MINUTES: ( Chief Mag. Judge Jonathan G. Lebedoff ) continuing Settlement conference to 9:00 a.m. on 7/9/02 1pg(s) (DFL) (Entered: 06/18/2002)

PACER
28 June 17, 2002

NOTICE OF SETTLEMENT CONFERENCE ( Chief Mag. Judge Jonathan G. Lebedoff / 6/17/02) settlement conference set for 9:00 a.m. on 7/9/02 1pg(s) (cc: counsel) (DFL) (Entered: 06/18/2002)

PACER
30 June 20, 2002

NOTICE OF REASSIGNMENT OF MAGISTRATE JUDGE ( Clerk Richard D. Sletten /) Case referred to Chief Mag. Judge Jonathan G. Lebedoff 1pg(s) (cc: all counsel) (VEM) (Entered: 06/20/2002)

PACER
31 July 9, 2002

MINUTES OF SETTLEMENT CONFERENCE: ( Chief Mag. Judge Jonathan G. Lebedoff ) plaintiffs Tabakin and Stryker have settled contingent on plaintiff Zmora's willingness to settle; continued settlement conference set for 9:00 a.m. on 7/18/02 1pg(s) (DFL) (Entered: 07/16/2002)

PACER
32 July 18, 2002

MINUTES OF SETTLEMENT CONFERENCE: ( Chief Mag. Judge Jonathan G. Lebedoff ) case settled in principle; still will require class certification hearing - one outstanding issue to be resolved by attorneys within next two weeks 1pg(s) (DFL) (Entered: 07/23/2002)

PACER
33 Aug. 22, 2002

MINUTES OF CONFERENCE CALL: ( Chief Mag. Judge Jonathan G. Lebedoff / ), Re: settlement Settlement conference set for 12:30 p.m. on 9/3/02 1pg(s) (DFL) (Entered: 08/28/2002)

PACER
34 Sept. 3, 2002

MINUTES OF SETTLEMENT CONFERENCE: ( Chief Mag. Judge Jonathan G. Lebedoff ) resolved many issues in "post settlement" drafting of settlement agreement; parties ordered to meet 9/9/02 and draft settlement papers 1pg(s) (DFL) (Entered: 09/05/2002)

PACER
35 Sept. 19, 2002

NOTICE OF HEARING (Chief Judge Magistrate Jonathan Lebedoff / 9/19/02) ; status conference set for 1:30 9/26/02 1pg (cc: all counsel) (SEA) Modified on 10/21/2002 (Entered: 09/24/2002)

PACER
36 Sept. 26, 2002

MINUTES ( Chief Mag. Judge Jonathan G. Lebedoff ) Status Conference - parties will call with status report 9/30/02 2:00 p.m. 1pg(s) (SJH) (Entered: 10/05/2002)

PACER
37 Sept. 30, 2002

MINUTES OF CONFERENCE CALL: ( Chief Mag. Judge Jonathan G. Lebedoff ) much progress made on settlement; parties feel they can draft final papers 1pg(s) (DFL) (Entered: 10/08/2002)

PACER
38 Dec. 2, 2002

MINUTES OF STATUS CONFERENCE: ( Chief Mag. Judge Jonathan G. Lebedoff ) extended filing of settlement agreement until 9:30 a.m.; conference call tomorrow; also will stay filing class list until 9:30 a.m. 12/3/02 pg(s) (DFL) (Entered: 12/06/2002)

PACER
39 Dec. 3, 2002

MINUTES ( Chief Mag. Judge Jonathan G. Lebedoff ) re conference call - dispute resolved; parties to file settlement agreement today 1pg(s) (SJH) (Entered: 12/07/2002)

PACER
40 Dec. 3, 2002

Schedule of Settlement Class filed by pltf (sealed/separate) (SJH) (Entered: 12/07/2002)

PACER
41 Dec. 5, 2002

ORDER ( Judge Joan E. Lancaster / 12/5/02) provisionally certifying class and scheduling hearing on proposed class settlement class settlement hearing set for 11:00 a.m. on 12/10/03 to consider whether the settlement is fair, reasonable and adequate and be approved 12pgs (cc: all counsel) (DFL) (Entered: 12/12/2002)

PACER
42 Dec. 5, 2002

NOTICE OF PROPOSED CLASS SETTLEMENT 8pg(s) (DFL) (Entered: 12/12/2002)

PACER
43 Dec. 5, 2002

CLASS SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT AND RELEASE OF ALL CLAIMS 31pg(s) (DFL) (Entered: 12/12/2002)

PACER
44 Dec. 5, 2002

SEPARATE SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT AND RELEASE OF ALL CLAIMS BY GEOFFREY TABAKIN 10pg(s) (DFL) (Entered: 12/12/2002)

PACER
45 Dec. 5, 2002

SEPARATE SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT AND RELEASE OF ALL CLAIMS BY LAURINDA STRYKER 8pg(s) (DFL) (Entered: 12/12/2002)

PACER
46 Dec. 5, 2002

SEPARATE SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT AND RELEASE OF ALL CLAIMS BY ZRIE ZMORA pg(s) (DFL) (Entered: 12/12/2002)

PACER
48 Feb. 10, 2003

MINUTES:( Judge Joan E. Lancaster / Jeanne Anderson) Fairness Hearing Re: Class action - court approves settlement. [24-1] 1 pg(s) (VEM) (Entered: 02/12/2003)

PACER
49 Feb. 10, 2003

NOTICE by plaintiff terms of the settlement agreement. Separate and under seal (VEM) (Entered: 02/12/2003)

PACER
50 Feb. 10, 2003

ORDER APPROVING CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT ( Judge Joan E. Lancaster / 2/10/03) that plaintiff Robbi Hoy has been severed from the class action and has been settled separately; in the event of an alleged breach of the terms of the settlement agreement, this court shall retain jurisdiction to hear enforcement actions brought by class members against the MN State Colleges and Universities, St. Cloud State University, or the Inter-Faculty Association for a period of one year from the date of this order termination notice 3pg(s) (cc: all counsel) (DFL) (Entered: 02/18/2003)

PACER
51 Oct. 17, 2003

ORDER (Judge Joan N. Ericksen / 10/15/03) that counsel for pltfs are authorized to donate Robert Hauptman's share of the class settlement fund, in the amt. of $2,112.68, to the Jewish Community Relations Council of Minnesota 2pg(s) (cc: all counsel) (JMR) (Entered: 10/20/2003)

PACER
52 Feb. 17, 2004

MOTION to Enforce Class Settlement, by Geoffrey Tabakin. 1pg(SJH) (Entered: 02/20/2004)

PACER
Feb. 17, 2004

NOTICE of Hearing on 52 MOTION to Enforce Class Settlement: Hearing set for 4/12/2004 09:30 AM in St Paul - Courtroom 3 before Judge Joan N Ericksen. (SJH) (Entered: 02/20/2004)

PACER
53 March 12, 2004

MEMORANDUM in Support re 52 MOTION to enforce class settlement and extend jurisdiction filed by Geoffrey Tabakin. 8 pgs (JMM) (Entered: 03/20/2004)

PACER
54 March 12, 2004

AFFIDAVIT in Support of Geoffrey Tabakin re 52 MOTION to enforce class settlement and extend jurisdiction filed by Geoffrey Tabakin. 40 pgs (JMM) (Entered: 03/20/2004)

PACER
55 April 2, 2004

MEMORANDUM in Opposition re 52 MOTION to Compel. Filed by Defendant St Cloud State University. 7pg(s). (SS) (Entered: 04/06/2004)

PACER
56 April 2, 2004

AFFIDAVIT of Dr. Michael Spitzer in Opposition re 52 MOTION to Compel. Filed by Defendant St Cloud State University. 18pg(s). (SS) (Entered: 04/06/2004)

PACER
57 April 7, 2004

REPLY Brief in Support re 52 MOTION to Enforce Class Settlement and Extend Jurisdiction filed by Geoffrey Tabakin. (GML) (Entered: 04/12/2004)

PACER
58 April 7, 2004

AFFIDAVIT of Geoffrey Tabakin with exhibits. 6 pgs (GML) (Entered: 04/12/2004)

PACER
59 April 12, 2004

Minute Entry for proceedings held before Judge Joan N Ericksen : Motion Hearing held on 4/12/2004 re 52 MOTION to Compel filed by Geoffrey Tabakin - GRANTED on the minutes and the Court will retain jurisdiction. A hearing will be held on Monday, July 12, 2004 at 2:00 p.m. No further order will be issued. (Court Reporter Maria Weinbeck) (slf) (Entered: 04/12/2004)

PACER
60 June 18, 2004

NOTICE OF SETTLEMENT CONFERENCE: Settlement Conference set for 6/24/2004 01:45 PM in In Chambers Hearing before Chief Mag. Judge Jonathan G Lebedoff. Signed by Chief Mag Judge Jonathan G Lebedoff on 6/18/04. (HLL) (Entered: 06/18/2004)

PACER
61 June 24, 2004

Minute Entry for proceedings held before Chief Magistrate Judge Jonathan G Lebedoff : Settlement Conference held on 6/24/2004. Settlement reached. (HLL) Modified on 6/24/2004 (Labat, Heather). (Entered: 06/24/2004)

PACER
62 Nov. 12, 2004

LETTER TO MAGISTRATE JUDGE by Geoffrey Tabakin. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit Exhibit 1 to 11/11/04 Letter to J Lebedoff# 2 Exhibit Exhibit 2 to 11/11/04 Letter to J Lebedoff# 3 Exhibit Exhibit 3 to 11/11/04 Letter to J Lebedoff# 4 Exhibit Exhibit 4 to 11/11/04 Letter to J Lebedoff)(Harris, Paul) (Entered: 11/12/2004)

PACER
63 Nov. 16, 2004

LETTER TO MAGISTRATE JUDGE by Minnesota State Colleges and University System (MnSCU), St Cloud State University. (Cunningham, Gary) (Entered: 11/16/2004)

PACER
64 Nov. 18, 2004

Minute Entry for proceedings held before Chief Magistrate Judge Jonathan G Lebedoff : Telephone Conference held on 11/18/2004 - re: letter to Magistrate Judge (Doc No 63). (RJL) (Entered: 11/18/2004)

PACER
65 Nov. 18, 2004

ORDER re: Settlement Agreement. Signed by Chief Magistrate Judge Jonathan G Lebedoff on 11/18/04. (RJL) (Entered: 11/18/2004)

PACER

nan

PACER

Case Details

State / Territory:

Minnesota

Case Type(s):

Equal Employment

Special Collection(s):

Private Employment Class Actions

Key Dates

Filing Date: Oct. 17, 2001

Closing Date: 2004

Case Ongoing: No

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

All past and present Jewish faculty members/persons who applied for employment at SCSU, and all faculty/students (Jewish/non-Jewish) who had been retaliated against for opposing and objecting to the defendant’s illegal discriminatory practices.

Plaintiff Type(s):

Private Plaintiff

Public Interest Lawyer: No

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: Yes

Class Action Outcome: Granted

Defendants

State

Minnesota, State of

Defendant Type(s):

College/University

Case Details

Causes of Action:

Title VII (including PDA), 42 U.S.C. § 2000e

Other Dockets:

District of Minnesota 0:01-cv-01905

Available Documents:

Any published opinion

Injunctive (or Injunctive-like) Relief

Trial Court Docket

Outcome

Prevailing Party: Plaintiff OR Mixed

Relief Granted:

Damages

Injunction / Injunctive-like Settlement

Source of Relief:

Settlement

Form of Settlement:

Court Approved Settlement or Consent Decree

Issues

General/Misc.:

Pattern or Practice

Discrimination Area:

Conditions of Employment (including assignment, transfer, hours, working conditions, etc.)

Disparate Treatment

Harassment / Hostile Work Environment

Hiring

Pay / Benefits

Promotion

Training

Discrimination Basis:

Religion discrimination

Affected Sex/Gender(s):

Female

Male

Recommended Citation