{
  "id": 236232,
  "name": "Harold D. QUALLS v. Daniel FERRITOR, Chancellor, and University of Arkansas, Fayetteville",
  "name_abbreviation": "Qualls v. Ferritor",
  "decision_date": "1997-06-30",
  "docket_number": "97-223",
  "first_page": "235",
  "last_page": "238",
  "citations": [
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      "cite": "329 Ark. 235"
    },
    {
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      "cite": "947 S.W.2d 10"
    }
  ],
  "court": {
    "name_abbreviation": "Ark.",
    "id": 8808,
    "name": "Arkansas Supreme Court"
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    "name_long": "Arkansas",
    "name": "Ark."
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      "cite": "324 Ark. 463",
      "category": "reporters:state",
      "reporter": "Ark.",
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      "weight": 2,
      "year": 1996,
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      "category": "reporters:state",
      "reporter": "Ark.",
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      "cite": "289 Ark. 550",
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      "reporter": "Ark.",
      "case_ids": [
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      "year": 1986,
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      "cite": "244 Ark. 606",
      "category": "reporters:state",
      "reporter": "Ark.",
      "case_ids": [
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      "year": 1968,
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    {
      "cite": "Ark. Code Ann. \u00a7 19-10-305",
      "category": "laws:leg_statute",
      "reporter": "Ark. Code Ann.",
      "year": 1994,
      "pin_cites": [
        {
          "page": "(a)"
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  "analysis": {
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    "char_count": 4071,
    "ocr_confidence": 0.743,
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  "last_updated": "2023-07-14T20:24:12.305718+00:00",
  "provenance": {
    "date_added": "2019-08-29",
    "source": "Harvard",
    "batch": "2018"
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  "casebody": {
    "judges": [
      "Newbern, J., not participating."
    ],
    "parties": [
      "Harold D. QUALLS v. Daniel FERRITOR, Chancellor, and University of Arkansas, Fayetteville"
    ],
    "opinions": [
      {
        "text": "Tom Glaze, Justice.\nAppellant Harold D. Qualls filed suit, pro se, in Washington County Circuit Court, naming as defendants the State of Arkansas, the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville, and the University\u2019s Chancellor, Daniel Ferritor. Qualls alleged that, in 1986, he was expelled from the University, but that, under an agreement dated March 23, 1987, the University agreed to readmit him, allow him to attend graduate school, and permit him to obtain a doctorate degree in education if he would surrender his Arkansas teacher certificate. Qualls further alleged he was readmitted and subsequently obtained his bachelor of special education and master of education degrees, but after completing ten hours towards his doctorate degree, was advised by the University that he did not qualify for a doctorate degree because he had no teacher certificate. Qualls asserted the defendants\u2019 action caused him compensable damages in the total amount of $1,000,000, and punitive damages of $9,000,000.\nThe appellees responded to Qualls\u2019s complaint by moving to dismiss on the grounds that Qualls had failed to state a claim upon which relief could be granted, and that such suit against the University and Chancellor Ferritor was barred under the sovereign immunity clause (Ark. Const, art. V, \u00a7 20) and the statutory immunity provision set out in Ark. Code Ann. \u00a7 19-10-305(a) (Repl. 1994). The trial court granted appellees\u2019 motion, and Qualls brings this appeal, arguing the trial court erred in dismissing his suit.\nWe are unable to address Qualls\u2019s argument because his abstract is flagrantly deficient. See Ark. Sup. Ct. R. 4-2(b). This court\u2019s rules require abstracting of such material parts of the pleadings, proceedings, facts, documents, and other matters in the record as are necessary to an understanding of all questions presented to the court for decision. Ark. Sup. Ct. R. 4-2(a)(6).\nQualls\u2019s entire argument on appeal is premised on a document dated March 23, 1987, which he labels a \u201ctrade agreement, or waiver.\u201d Flowever, that agreement appears nowhere in the abstract, and apparently was not presented to the trial court. Also, no testimony is abstracted concerning the March 23 document, even though Qualls mentions the document repeatedly in his statement of the case and argument in his brief. Qualls\u2019s briefing problem is exacerbated by his listing and placement of a number of letters, certificates, and other papers in his brief, which are not in the transcript and were never considered by the trial court. As a consequence, we cannot consider them on appeal. See Rochelle v. Piles, 244 Ark. 606, 427 S.W.2d 10 (1968).\nFinally, we note that Qualls, as appellant, has the burden to demonstrate any reversible error and present a record evidencing such error. See Rad-Razorback Ltd. Partnership v. B.G. Coney Co., 289 Ark. 550, 713 S.W.2d 462 (1986). In addition, we are guided by the settled rule that when the appellant does not cite authority or make a convincing argument, and where it is not apparent without further research that the point is well taken, we will affirm. Firstbank of Ark. v. Keeling, 312 Ark. 441, 850 S.W.2d 310 (1993). Here, Qualls cites no legal authority to support his argument, and while he offers five pages of argument, the argument is unclear, most likely because a proper record is not presented to help us understand his contentions. This court holds pro se litigants to the same requirement as attorneys. Jewell v. Ark. Bd. of Dental Examiners, 324 Ark. 463, 921 S.W.2d 950 (1996).\nIn sum, we affirm the trial court\u2019s ruling because of Qualls\u2019s deficient abstract and his failure to demonstrate reversible error.\nNewbern, J., not participating.\nOn motion of Qualls, the trial court later dismissed the State from the lawsuit.",
        "type": "majority",
        "author": "Tom Glaze, Justice."
      }
    ],
    "attorneys": [
      "Appellant, pro se.",
      "T. Scott Varady, Associate Gen. Counsel and Jeffrey A. Bell, Associate Gen. Counsel, for appellees."
    ],
    "corrections": "",
    "head_matter": "Harold D. QUALLS v. Daniel FERRITOR, Chancellor, and University of Arkansas, Fayetteville\n97-223\n947 S.W.2d 10\nSupreme Court of Arkansas\nOpinion delivered June 30, 1997\nAppellant, pro se.\nT. Scott Varady, Associate Gen. Counsel and Jeffrey A. Bell, Associate Gen. Counsel, for appellees."
  },
  "file_name": "0235-01",
  "first_page_order": 259,
  "last_page_order": 262
}