Opinion ID: 41382
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: EC Position

Text: The weight of the record indicates that the Educational Coordinator (EC) position was never created. Saunders, however, appears to contend that the CNS position, posted in December 2002 and filled in March 2003, was actually the EC position. In support, she cites Emory’s admission in its Answer that “Paula Funderburke held the position of Education Coordinator.” Regardless of the title of the position, it is undisputed that Saunders did not formally apply for the position posted in December 2002. Moreover, even assuming that a general issue of material fact remains as to whether the EC position was created, Saunders’ claims in regard to the position are time barred. 6 In its motion for summary judgment, Emory argued that, assuming the position posted in December 2002 and filled in March 2003 was the EC and not the CNS position, Saunders’ claims under Title VII and § 1981 are barred. Saunders does not dispute that any claim relating to that position arising under Title VII is time barred and thus has abandoned that claim. Furthermore, any claim relating to that position arising under § 1981 is time barred. Claims cognizable under § 1981 prior to the Civil Rights Act of 1991 are subject to the state statute of limitations for personal injury torts. See Moore v. Liberty Nat. Life Ins. Co., 267 F.3d 1209, 1219 (11th Cir. 2001). Because Saunders’ failure-to-promote claim was cognizable under § 1981 prior to the Civil Rights Act of 1991, Georgia’s two-year statute of limitations for personal injury torts applies. See O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33 (2007). The position was posted in December 2002 and filled in March 2003. Saunders filed her complaint on December 26, 2006. Because Saunders did not file her complaint within the two-year statute of limitations, any claim under § 1981 is time barred.