Opinion
Case: 1:16-cv-01879
09-16-2016
VANESSA HOLLOWAY, Plaintiff, v. HOWARD UNIVERSITY, Defendant.
Jury Demand
Assigned To : Unassigned
Assign. Date : 9/20/2016
Description: Pro Se Gen. Civil (F Deck) MEMORANDUM OPINION
This matter is before the Court on plaintiff's application to proceed in forma pauperis and her pro se civil complaint. The application will be granted, and the complaint will be dismissed without prejudice.
Plaintiff alleges that Howard University's law library has acquired multiple copies of a book she authored. See Compl. at 1-2. She objects to the acquisitions because Howard University has not conferred her degree. See id. Plaintiff deems this a conflict of interest, see id. at 3, and she invokes her "author rights," id. at 2, to ask the Court to "[o]rder removal of [her] book from Howard University Law Library shelf and search catalog," id. at 3.
Federal district courts have jurisdiction in civil actions arising under the Constitution, laws or treaties of the United States. See 28 U.S.C. § 1331. In addition, federal district courts have jurisdiction over civil actions where the matter in controversy exceeds $75,000, and the suit is between citizens of different states. See 28 U.S.C. § 1332(a). As the complaint does not set forth a constitutional or statutory basis for plaintiff's claims, it is not apparent that this action arises under the United States Constitution or federal law. Because the complaint does not demand damages in excess of $75,000 or allege the parties' residence in different states, plaintiff does not demonstrate diversity of citizenship. Accordingly, the complaint will be dismissed for lack of subject matter jurisdiction.
An Order consistent with this Memorandum Opinion is issued separately. DATE: 9/16/16
/s/_________
United States District Judge