MICHELE C SCHNURER V NORTHERN MICH UNIV BD OF CONT
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STATE OF MICHIGAN
COURT OF APPEALS
MICHELE C. SCHNURER and KEVIN
SCHNURER,
UNPUBLISHED
November 13, 1998
Plaintiffs-Appellants,
v
No. 204821
Court of Claims
LC No. 96-016427 CM
BOARD OF CONTROL OF NORTHERN
MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY,
Defendant-Appellee.
Before: Whitbeck, P.J., and Cavanagh and Neff, JJ.
PER CURIAM.
Plaintiffs appeal as of right from a Court of Claims order that granted defendant’s motion for
summary disposition pursuant to MCR 2.116(C)(7), (C)(8) and (C)(10). The action stemmed from a
slip and fall accident that plaintiff Michele Schnurer had while walking on the campus of defendant
Northern Michigan University (“Northern”). The basic issue is whether there was an implied contract
between plaintiff Michele Schnurer and Northern that Northern breached by failing to keep the sidewalk
clear.1 We determine that there was not, and affirm.
I. Basic Facts and Procedural History
On January 16, 1995, plaintiff Michele Schnurer was an enrolled student walking to class on
Northern’s campus in Marquette. She alleged that before reaching class, she slipped and fell on a
sidewalk covered with ice and snow. She represented that she sustained injuries, including a fractured
left tibia that required surgery.
Several months later, plaintiffs filed a complaint with the Court of Claims, claiming a breach of
contract. Plaintiffs alleged that a contract arose between Ms. Schnurer and Northern because her
tuition payment constituted a valid offer and acceptance of services. Further, plaintiffs alleged that as
part of this contract, Northern owed Ms. Schnurer a duty to provide a reasonably safe learning
environment, a duty that Northern breached by failing to keep the sidewalks clear.
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Northern filed a motion for summary disposition pursuant to MCR 2.116(C)(7), (8) and (10),
claiming that (1) it was entitled to governmental immunity because it is a governmental agency that was
engaged in governmental functions; (2) plaintiffs failed to state a claim upon which relief could be
granted because plaintiffs’ pleadings did not allege facts sufficient to support a breach of contract claim;
and (3) no genuine issue of material fact existed because Ms. Schnurer had admitted that the duties
Northern allegedly owed her were not contained in any express contract and plaintiffs failed to provide
sufficient evidence to prove the existence and breach of an implied contract.
Plaintiffs, however, maintained that they established a valid breach of contract claim against
Northern based on Ms. Schnurer’s payment of tuition and enrollment in classes and that Northern was
not entitled to immunity because they brought the action in contract and not in tort. Following oral
argument, the trial court granted Northern’s motion2 and plaintiffs appealed as of right.
II. Standard of Review
On appeal, we will review a trial court’s grant or denial of summary disposition de novo. Spiek
v Dep’t of Transportation, 456 Mich 331, 337; 572 NW2d 201 (1998). We review the record in
the same manner as the trial court in order to determine whether the moving party was entitled to
judgment as a matter of law. See Morales v Auto-Owners Ins Co, 458 Mich 288, 294; 582 NW2d
776 (1998); Phillips v Deihm, 213 Mich App 389, 398; 541 NW2d 566 (1995).
III. The Alleged Implied Contractual Relationship
A. Plaintiffs’ Position
Plaintiffs argue that Ms. Schnurer’s payment of mandatory tuition and fees to Northern in order
to receive the benefit of attending classes established a contract between Ms. Schnurer and Northern.
Although not clearly stated, plaintiff s apparently argue that the contract formed was an implied contract
and not an express contract.3 Further, plaintiffs argue that an unwritten term of this implied contract was
Northern’s duty to provide a reasonably safe learning environment, including safe sidewalks, and that
Northern breached this duty by failing to clear the snowy sidewalk on which Ms. Schnurer slipped and
fell.
In support of their argument, plaintiffs provided as evidence a page from Northern’s 1993-95
undergraduate bulletin, that states that “[t]uition is defined as the mandatory charge to attend class and
receive an entry (credit or audit) on a transcript,” and a copy of Ms. Schnurer’s transcript. According
to plaintiffs, these documents show that Ms. Schnurer and Northern had entered into a contract because
she paid tuition. This tuition, they argue, constituted valuable consideration for the services Northern
rendered to Ms. Schnurer. Plaintiffs provided no other evidence on this issue, except excerpts of Ms.
Schnurer’s deposition testimony. This deposition testimony reveals that Ms. Schnurer could not point to
any representation made to her by Northern, written or oral, to support her implied contract.4 Ms.
Schnurer simply stated that she “just remember[ed] hearing it.”
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B. Elements of an Implied Contract
The essential elements of a contract are parties competent to contract, a proper subject matter,
legal consideration, mutuality of agreement and mutuality of obligation. Thomas v Leja, 187 Mich App
418, 422; 468 NW2d 58 (1991). Parties may manifest an intent to contract by implication rather than
by express agreement. Featherston v Steinhoff, 226 Mich App 584, 589; 575 NW2d 6 (1997).
An implied contract may exist where one party engages or accepts the beneficial services of
another party for which compensation is normally made and anticipated. Rocco v Dep’t of Mental
Health, 114 Mich App 792, 799; 319 NW2d 674 (1982), aff’d sub nom Ross v Consumers Power
Co (On Rem), 420 Mich 567; 363 NW2d 641 (1984); Rockwell & Bond, Inc v Flying Dutchman,
Inc, 74 Mich App 1, 6; 253 NW2d 368 (1977); see also, Malik v William Beaumont Hospital, 168
Mich App 159, 172; 423 NW2d 920 (1988). The existence of an implied contract turns on the
inferences that can be drawn from the circumstances, and necessarily involves questions of fact. Rocco,
supra at 800. This includes consideration of all the circumstances, including the nature of the services
rendered, the duration of the services, the closeness of the relationship between the parties, and the
parties’ express expectations. In re Lewis Estate, 168 Mich App 70, 75; 423 NW2d 600 (1988).5
However, an implied contract, like any other contract, must satisfy the elements of mutual assent
and consideration. Freiburger v Dep’t of Mental Health, 161 Mich App 316, 318; 409 NW2d 821
(1987); Spruytte v Dep’t of Corrections, 82 Mich App 145, 147; 266 NW2d 482 (1978). “Valid
consideration for a contract cannot be presumed merely because two parties receive benefit from each
other. Rather, a bargained-for exchange is required. The essence of consideration, therefore, is legal
detriment that has been bargained for and exchanged for the promise.” Higgins v Monroe Evening
News, 404 Mich 1, 20; 272 NW2d 537 (1978) (Moody, J. joined by Williams and Coleman, JJ.).
Mutuality of assent exists where each party makes a promise or begins or renders performance.
1 Restatement Contracts, 2d, § 18, p 53. Parties must have mutual assent, in other words, a “meeting
of the minds,” on all of the material facts in order for a contract to be valid. People v Swirles, 218
Mich App 133, 135; 553 NW2d 357 (1996).
In determining whether there was a “meeting of the minds” courts employ an objective
standard, looking at the expressed words of the parties and their visible acts, in addition to the
circumstances surrounding the transaction. Barber v SMH, Inc, 202 Mich App 366, 369-370; 509
NW2d 791 (1993). In addition to mutual assent, a contract requires mutuality of obligation. Mutuality
of obligation means that both parties to an agreement are bound or neither is bound. Reed v Citizens
Ins Co of America, 198 Mich App 443, 449; 499 NW2d 22 (1993). In other words, “a contract
lacks mutuality when one party is obliged to perform, but not the other.” Jaye v Tobin, 42 Mich App
756; 202 NW2d 712 (1972).
Here, plaintiffs failed to provide sufficient evidence in support of the breach of implied contract
claim. Ms. Schnurer simply stated that the payment of the mandatory tuition and fees constituted an
offer and acceptance for which there was consideration and that resulted in a contract. Plaintiffs further
argued that an unwritten term of this contract was Northern’s duty to provide a safe learning
environment, including clear sidewalks. As indicated above, establishing an implied contract depends
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on the facts and circumstances of each case. However, an implied contract must still satisfy the basic
contractual elements of consideration and mutuality. Plaintiffs offered one page of a university
publication, which defines tuition as mandatory, as support for their argument. At her deposition, Ms.
Schnurer could not point to any other information issued by Northern that had given her the impression
that Northern was guaranteeing her safety on campus, nor could she identify anyone as having made
such representations.
We note that a student promises to pay tuition in exchange for the institution’s promise to
provide an education. “A performance or return promise is bargained for if it is sought by the promisor
in exchange for his promise and is given by the promisee in exchange for that promise.” 1 Restatement
Contracts, 2d, § 71, p 172. However, plaintiffs here have not satisfied the requirements of mutuality of
assent and obligation. Plaintiffs did not show that there was mutual assent to the material terms of the
contract, because plaintiffs could not prove the existence of any terms of the contract. “The terms of a
contract are reasonably certain if they provide a basis for determining the existence of a breach and for
giving an appropriate remedy.” 1 Restatement 2d, § 33, p 92. It is impossible to determine from the
few facts and evidence provided by plaintiffs what the subject matter was of the alleged contract, or any
of its terms, other than the f ct that Ms. Schnurer was entitled to attend class if she paid tuition.
a
Arguably, Northern must provide classes and instructors to teach those classes, but to claim, without
more, that Northern must provide a sidewalk free of snow is monumentally unpersuasive. Because
plaintiffs did not, and could not, show mutuality of assent, we therefore need not address mutuality of
obligation. In sum, plaintiffs simply have not provided sufficient evidence to show that an implied
contract existed on the terms alleged.
C. Rocco v Dep’t of Mental Health
Plaintiffs, however, argue that this action is similar to Rocco, supra. In Rocco, the plaintiffs’
son, Daniel Rocco, was murdered by another patient while a resident patient of the Ypsilanti Regional
Psychiatric Hospital. Id. at 794-795. The plaintiffs filed suit against the state agencies that administer
the hospital, alleging negligence and breach of implied contract. Id. at 795. The Rocco Court noted
that the governmental immunity statute spoke only of tort liability and did not grant immunity from
contract liability. Thus, the Court affirmed the trial court’s holding that the negligence claim was barred
by governmental immunity, but reversed the trial court as to the implied contract claim. Id. at 799, 801.
The plaintiffs argued that an implied contract was created when they paid for the services given their
son, that a duty of due care arose under this implied contract and that the defendants breached this duty
by failing to protect Daniel Rocco. Id. at 799-800. The Court noted that:
The existence of the contract depends upon the factual development of plaintiffs’ claim
that they paid for the services rendered to their son. If plaintiffs present satisfactory
proofs establishing a contract and a breach of the contract, they would be entitled to
recover because governmental immunity does not bar their contract action.” [Id. at 800
(citation omitted).]
Accordingly, the Rocco Court held that the plaintiffs had alleged a valid cause of action for breach of
contract. Id. at 801.
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In Ross v Consumers Power Co, 420 Mich 567; 363 NW2d 641 (1984), the Supreme Court
affirmed the Court’s ruling in Rocco. The Ross Court recognized that the negligence and breach of
contract claims in Rocco were identical, but noted:
We recognize that plaintiffs have and will attempt to avoid § 7 of the
governmental immunity act by basing their causes of action on theories other than tort.
Trial and appellate courts are routinely faced with the task of determining whether the
essential elements of a particular cause of action have been properly pleaded and
proved. If a plaintiff successfully pleads and establishes a non-tort cause of action, § 7
will not bar recovery simply because the underlying facts could have also established a
tort cause of action. [Ross, supra at 647-648.]
Plaintiffs’ argument that Ms. Schnurer’s situation was similar to that of the plaintiffs in Rocco is
unpersuasive. In Rocco, the decedent was a resident patient in a psychiatric hospital. Hospitals,
including psychiatric hospitals, by their nature, exist to provide treatment and care to patients who
otherwise cannot care for themselves. Arguably, the services paid for by the plaintiffs in Rocco included
Daniel Rocco’s protection from known violent patients. These facts, however, are entirely different
from those before us here.
Generally, a patient is admitted to a mental hospital under forced circumstances in that the
patient is no longer able to function or care for herself. Upon admitting a patient to such a hospital, it is
rational to presume that the hospital has a duty not only to treat the patient’s ailment but also to protect
the patient from certain elements, like dangerous patients, based on the patient’s dependent condition.
It was not unreasonable for a court to conclude that a contract exists under these circumstances.
Indeed, the Supreme Court has concluded that mental health facilities have an express and implied duty
to care for, supervise and control patients. Ross, supra, 420 Mich 646.
In stark contrast, a student chooses to attend a university voluntarily and enters the
university/student relationship on a more equal footing. When a student pays tuition and is admitted, it is
reasonable to presume that the university owes the student a duty to provide classes, instructors for
those classes and rooms in which to hold those classes. However, without more, it is not reasonable to
presume from these circumstances that the university also owes the student a contractual duty to provide
an environment free from snow on campus sidewalks. The status of the parties and the nature of the
university/student relationship simply do not give rise to such a duty. Thus, Rocco is not applicable here.
Indeed, the situation here is similar to that in Taggie v Dep’t of Natural Resources, 87 Mich
App 752; 276 NW2d 485 (1979). In Taggie, the plaintiffs sued the Department of Natural Resources
after the wife was injured while staying at a campground for which the plaintiffs had purchased a permit.
Id. at 753-754. The plaintiffs alleged that a contract was formed when they purchased the permit. Id.
at 756-757. The Taggie Court noted that even if a contractual relationship had arisen between the
plaintiffs and the Department of Natural Resources based on the permit, there was nothing in that
document that would have imposed on the defendant the duties claimed by the plaintiffs. Id. Thus, the
Court concluded that no breach of an express contract existed and that the plaintiffs’ claim of breach of
an implied contract must fail because “[s]uch an action is not recognized by our courts.” Id. at 757.6
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Since Rocco, several cases have been decided in which the plaintiffs have alleged breach of an
implied contract claim against defendants normally entitled to governmental immunity, although none
resemble the situation here.7 We note that in Freiburger v Dep’t of Mental Health, supra at 316, the
plaintiff brought an implied contract cause of action against the Department of Mental Health. The
plaintiff alleged that an application for admission to a psychiatric clinic signed by the plaintiff’s decedent
constituted an implied contract between the department and the decedent to provide proper care and
treatment. Id. at 317-318. This duty was breached, according to the plaintiff, when the decedent was
released from the clinic, and subsequently shot and killed himself. Id. at 317. The Freiburger Court
found that the Department had a preexisting duty to provide proper care, and thus there was no
consideration for the plaintiff’s alleged contract, and no contract. Id. at 318. Similarly here, and
assuming that Northern had a duty to provide clear sidewalks, this duty was preexisting. Thus, there
was no consideration for Ms. Schnurer’s alleged contract. Accordingly, without sufficient legal
consideration, an integral element of a valid contract, plaintiffs’ implied contract claim necessarily must
fail.
IV. Governmental Immunity
A. Introduction
In its discussion, the Freiburger Court recognized that a plaintiff may allege a contract claim to
avoid governmental immunity under Rocco, supra, and Ross, supra. However, the Freiburger Court
pointed out that, “[w]hile the pleading of a breach of contract may be sufficient to survive summary
disposition for failure to state a claim, not every tort case has the necessary facts to establish a breach of
contract.” Freiburger, supra at 320 (footnote omitted). We hold this to be true of plaintiffs’ case as
well.
B. Motions Under MCR 2.116(C)(10)
A motion for summary disposition under MCR 2.116(C)(10) tests whether there is factual
support for a claim. Spiek, supra at 337. When deciding a MCR 2.116(C)(10) motion, a court must
consider the pleadings, affidavits, depositions, admissions and other documentary evidence available to
it. Id. On appeal, this Court will review the grant of summary disposition de novo, and must review the
record in the same manner as the trial court. Phillips, supra.
We hold that plaintiffs failed to allege facts or provide evidence sufficient to withstand a motion
for summary disposition under MCR 2.116(C)(10). As we noted above, plaintiffs offered one page of
a university publication, which defines tuition as mandatory, and a copy of Ms. Schnurer’s transcript, as
support for their argument. At her deposition, Ms. Schnurer could not point to any information issued
by Northern that had given her the impression that Northern was guaranteeing her safety on campus,
nor could she identify anyone as having made such representations. Ms. Schnurer stated that she just
remembered hearing something at some point to that effect. None of the evidence plaintiffs pointed to
was sufficient to show that an implied contract existed.
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A valid implied contract requires, in addition to other elements, consideration and mutual assent.
While the payment of tuition might constitute consideration in support of a contract, plaintiffs did not,
and could not, show mutuality of assent. Mutual assent requires a “meeting of the minds” by the parties
on the material terms of the contract. Here, there is no evidence as to what any of the terms were,
including the alleged term of requiring defendant to provide a safe learning environment. Accordingly,
we find that under MCR 2.116(C)(10), plaintiffs failed to meet their burden and that the trial court’s
grant of summary disposition was appropriate.
C. Motions Under MCR 2.116(C)(8)
Northern also moved for summary disposition pursuant to MCR 2.116(C)(8). A motion under
MCR 2.116(C)(8) tests the legal sufficiency of a claim based on the pleadings alone. Simko v Blake,
448 Mich 648, 654; 532 NW2d 842 (1995). All factual allegations in support of the claim are
accepted as true, as well as any reasonable inferences or conclusions that can be drawn from the facts.
Id.; Marcelletti v Bathani, 198 Mich App 655, 658; 500 NW2d 124 (1993). However, a mere
statement of a pleader’s conclusions, unsupported by allegations of fact, does not state a cause of
action. ETT Ambulance Service Corp v Rockford Ambulance, Inc, 204 Mich App 392, 395; 516
NW2d 498 (1994).
Here, plaintiffs asserted that a contract arose upon payment of tuition and that a term of that
contract required Northern to provide a safe learning environment. We find that plaintiff s’ claim was
not supported by sufficient allegations of fact upon which to bring an implied contract claim. While the
payment of tuition may constitute sufficient consideration for a contract, the facts provided do not
indicate the subject matter of the contract or any of its terms. Because plaintiffs’ pleadings did not
contain facts sufficient to show the elements of an implied contract, the trial court’s grant of summary
disposition pursuant to MCR 2.116(C)(8) was appropriate.
D. Motions Under MCR 2.116(C)(7)
The trial court found Northern to be governmentally immune and granted Northern’s motion for
summary disposition pursuant to MCR 2.116(C)(7). A motion for summary disposition under this court
rule accepts all well pleaded allegations as true and construes them most favorably to the non-moving
party. Wade v Dep’t of Corrections, 439 Mich 158, 162-163; 483 NW2d 26 (1992). The
reviewing court considers all documentary evidence submitted by the parties. Summers v Detroit, 206
Mich App 46; 520 NW2d 356 (1994).
MCL 691.1407(7)(1); MSA 3.996(107)(1), provides that “[e]xcept as otherwise provided in
this act, all governmental agencies shall be immune from tort liability in all cases wherein the
governmental agency is engaged in the exercise or discharge of a governmental function.” A public
university qualifies as a “governmental agency” under MCL 691.1401(c)(d); MSA 3.996(101)(C).
The term “governmental function” is defined as “an activity which is expressly or impliedly mandated or
authorized by constitution, statute, local charter or ordinance, or other law,” MCL 691.1401(f);
3.996(101)(f), and includes the operation of a public university. Holzer v Oakland University, 110
Mich App 355; 313 NW2d 124 (1981). More specifically, the maintenance, repair and construction of
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university school b
uildings, facilities, equipment and premises are generally held to be governmental
functions. Fernandez v Flint Bd of Ed, 283 F2d 906 (CA 6, 1960) (applying Michigan law).
Accordingly, Northern is a governmental agency engaged in the governmental function of
operating a university and is entitled to immunity from tort liability actions. We therefore find that
Northern was entitled to immunity in the present case because plaintiffs failed to allege facts or produce
evidence sufficient to support the breach of implied contract claim. Thus, the trial court’s grant of
summary disposition pursuant to MCR 2.116(C)(7) was appropriate.
Affirmed.
/s/ William C. Whitbeck
/s/ Mark J. Cavanagh
/s/ Janet T. Neff
1
Plaintiffs also alleged loss of consortium on plaintiff Kevin Schnurer’s part. Plaintiff Michele Schnurer
is now deceased. In February, 1998, this Court received notice of her death, occurring on November
13, 1997.
2
Although the trial court did not specifically state upon which ground it was granting summary
disposition, it apparently found that plaintiffs’ cause of action lay in tort and not in contract, and that
Northern was therefore entitled to governmental immunity. This would be consistent with a ruling under
MCR 2.116(C)(7).
3
Northern’s brief on appeal includes an argument regarding express contracts; however, plaintiffs do
not allege that this was an express contract and therefore we do not address this aspect of Northern’s
argument.
4
According to the deposition record, defense counsel had on hand the 1993-95 undergraduate
bulletins, the Northern Michigan University student handbook and other documents.
5
See also, Ford v Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Michigan, 150 Mich App 462; 389 NW2d 114
(1986) (citations omitted) (“A contract is implied in fact where the intention as to it is not manifested by
direct or explicit words between the parties, but is to be gathered by implication or proper deduction
from the conduct of the parties, language used or things done by them . . . .”).
6
We do note, however, that the Taggie case was decided in 1979, without the benefit of the later
decisions in Rocco and Ross.
7
See Borg-Warner Acceptance Corp v Dep’t of State, 433 Mich 16; 444 NW2d 786 (1989)
(where state had statutory duty to perform, there was no bargained for consideration to support a claim
for breach of contract); Totsky v Henry Ford Hospital, 169 Mich App 286; 425 NW2d 531 (1988)
(absence of a writing containing essential terms of contract considered fatal to the plaintiff’s contract
claim); Lawrence v Ingham Co Health Dep’t Family Planning/Pre-Natal Clinic, 160 Mich App
420; 408 NW2d 461 (1987) (plaintiff’s contract claim dismissed based on a lack of adequate
consideration).
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