Civil Procedure — mootness

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United States Court of Appeals For the Seventh Circuit

Civil

Civil Procedure — mootness

Where a university student’s suspension has already expired, his request for an injunction is dismissed as moot.

“The only issue before us on this appeal is the denial of a preliminary injunction which sought to prevent the enforcement of an academic suspension. That suspension was to last for one academic year, and it went into effect on March 11, 2011. At oral argument in this matter on February 21, 2012, we confirmed that even were we to take immediate action to enjoin Medlock’s suspension, he would not have been able to re-enroll and begin classes midway through the spring 2012 semester. The term of the suspension has now expired. Thus, even if we were to decide that Medlock’s constitutional rights had been violated, a preliminary injunction would do him no good. There is simply nothing left to enjoin. And there are no other issues before us on this appeal—e.g., no request for damages or declaratory relief. Because we are unable to grant any effectual relief, the request for a preliminary injunction is dismissed as moot.”

Dismissed.

11-3288 Medlock v. Trustees of Indiana University

Appeal from the United States District Court for the Southern District of Indiana, Pratt, J., Bauer, J.