Title: Davis v. University of Montevallo

State: alabama

Issuer: Alabama Supreme Court

Document:

638 So. 2d 754 (1994)
Wayne DAVIS
v.
UNIVERSITY OF MONTEVALLO, et al.
1921393.

Supreme Court of Alabama.
January 7, 1994.
Rehearing Denied April 8, 1994.
*755 Joe R. Whatley, Jr. and Andrew C. Allen of Cooper, Mitch, Crawford, Kuykendall & Whatley, Birmingham, for appellant.
Carl E. Johnson, Jr. of Bishop, Colvin & Johnson, Birmingham, for appellees.
STEAGALL, Justice.
The plaintiff, Wayne Davis, appeals from a summary judgment in favor of the defendants, the University of Montevallo and its former president, Dr. John Stewart, who was sued individually and in his capacity as president of the University. Davis's complaint alleges that the terms and conditions of his employment with the University of Montevallo were set forth in a University policy manual and that, under those terms and conditions, he was entitled to continued employment so long as there was no just cause for his termination. He alleges breach of contract, violation of his rights under the Constitution of the State of Alabama, and, alternatively, liability under the doctrine of promissory estoppel. The complaint further alleges that the University and Stewart deprived Davis of a property right without due process *756 of law and that Stewart was liable under 42 U.S.C. § 1983, individually and in his official capacity. Davis appealed only as to his Fourteenth Amendment procedural due process claim and his 42 U.S.C. § 1983 claim against Stewart.
Davis was hired as projects coordinator for the University of Montevallo in October 1984. Each year thereafter, pursuant to an "Official Appointment Form," Davis was extended an "offer of appointment." The form relevant to the time involved in Davis's action noted that the period of Davis's employment was from September 1, 1989, to August 31, 1990, and that his salary for that period was $34,700.40. Further, the form contained the signatures of Davis; Davis's immediate supervisor, Frank Ryerson; and Stewart.
On May 10, 1990, in accordance with Stewart's instructions, Ryerson advised Davis that his contract was not going to be renewed; Davis was given the choice of resigning by June 10, 1990, or having his contract not renewed at the end of August; this choice was given because of Davis's failure to meet deadlines concerning various construction projects around the University. After being so advised, Davis met with Dr. Gertrude McGuire, assistant to the president for faculty and staff relations, who explained to Davis the procedures he could follow to appeal his termination. McGuire advised Davis that he could take his grievance to the grievance committee or could follow the "administrative route," and she explained to Davis the procedures involved with each route. McGuire testified in her deposition that the administrative route entailed appealing to the employee's supervisor and then to the president. The other option would be an appeal to the grievance committee, which would then make its recommendation to the president.
On May 10, Davis requested a hearing before the grievance committee, but he withdrew that request for an opportunity to meet with the president on May 11 and to discuss with him the decision not to renew Davis's contract. Davis signed a "Memorandum of Understanding" on May 11, stating that it had been explained to him by Ryerson and by the president that, by appealing to the president, he had given up the opportunity to appeal through the staff grievance process or through the administrative process. Davis was later advised that the decision to not renew his contract was final.
Davis sued on September 12, 1990; the trial court granted a motion to dismiss filed by the University and Stewart. The Court of Civil Appeals reversed the dismissal and remanded the case, stating that it was unable to determine from the record whether Davis had had a property interest in continued employment. Davis v. University of Montevallo, 586 So. 2d 27 (Ala.Civ.App.1991).
After the depositions of the parties and numerous others had been taken, both the plaintiff and the defendants moved for summary judgment. The court denied Davis's motion, but granted the motion of the University and Stewart. In doing so, the trial court entered the following order:
"* It is also stipulated by the parties that the defendants abided by the contract through August 31, 1990."
After carefully considering the foregoing order, in light of the record, we are satisfied that Davis failed to present any substantial evidence creating a genuine issue of material *759 fact; therefore, the summary judgment was proper. We adopt the trial court's order as part of our opinion. The judgment is affirmed.
AFFIRMED.
MADDOX, KENNEDY, INGRAM and COOK, JJ., concur.