Opinion ID: 1738387
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Whether the lower court committed error by granting Appellee's Motion for Summary Judgment when a genuine issue of fact exists as to whether National Youth Sports Program undertook a duty to Appellant on its own or by law, giving Appellant a cause of action.

Text: ¶ 12. The NYSP argues that it should not be liable to Glover since it had no ownership, possession, or control over the premises where Glover was raped and, therefore, had no legal duty to her. See Joseph v. Tennessee Partners, Inc., 501 So.2d 371, 375 (Miss.1987). The NYSP administers federal funding to 169 institutions throughout the United States to conduct a program for socio-economically disadvantaged children. It reviews existing programs to ensure that adequate facilities and resources are available to conduct the program and that the participating institutions (such as JSU) exercise control over the provided funds in accordance with federal regulations. ¶ 13. Glover alleges that the NYSP exercises control over the program and the way it is managed; and therefore, it is liable to Glover. She cites McWilliams v. City of Pascagoula, 657 So.2d 1110, 1112 (Miss.1995), where this Court held that a city had a duty of exercising reasonable care to protect patrons from attacks by other patrons at a city-sponsored dance. However, the city did more than provide funds for a dance. It charged admission, provided chaperones to supervise the participating youths, and had been aware of altercations at the dance prior to the incident which was the subject of the litigation. ¶ 14. In contrast, the NYSP did not take an active role in the program at JSU. It contracted with JSU to provide resources and staff and to run day-to-day operations. Funding a program, without more, does not create sufficient ownership or control to establish either a duty to supervise or a corresponding liability for failure to supervise. Therefore, the circuit court did not err in granting summary judgment to the NYSP.