Page:Taylor-Travis v. Jackson State University (17-60856) (2021) Opinion.pdf/3

 In sum, the auditor concluded that Taylor owed Jackson State $4,544.44 for misappropriating university funds.

Following the completion of the audit, Jackson State sent Taylor a notice of intent to terminate her employment for cause. A few days later, Taylor’s counsel responded with a letter requesting arbitration. Taylor’s employment was officially terminated on June 29, 2011. At that time, Taylor had two years and $182,000 remaining on her contract. Jackson State sent another letter the next day, contending that the arbitration provision in Taylor’s employment contract was unenforceable.

Before Taylor’s employment was officially terminated, a local newspaper, The Clarion-Ledger, sent Jackson State a public records request seeking information regarding communications between the university and Taylor. Jackson State withheld numerous documents as privileged under Mississippi law, but ultimately provided the newspaper with nine pages of information regarding Taylor. Three days later, The Clarion-Ledger posted on its online blog that Jackson State had terminated Taylor’s employment for several reasons, including sexual gender stereotyping, verbal abuse, and misappropriation of university funds.

Taylor sued Jackson State, claiming: (1) breach of contract; (2) breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing; (3) invasion of privacy; and (4) sex discrimination and retaliation under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. Each of the claims except for invasion of privacy were tried before a jury. After a six-week trial, the jury returned a verdict (1) awarding Taylor $182,000 on her breach of contract claim; (2) awarding Taylor $0 on her claim for breach of an implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing; and (3) finding for Jackson State on the Title VII and Title IX claims. As for the invasion of privacy claim, the district