Violinist, West Texas A&M playing in harmony after mediation

A West Texas A&M University violin instructor, who is also a member of the university’s acclaimed Harrington String Quartet, has agreed to settle a lawsuit that alleged she was fired after she missed work due to pregnancy complications and subsequent time off she took after giving birth.

Jennifer Snyder Kozoroz claims she notified the university of her pregnancy in May 2008, missed 15 days of work in September for medical bed rest, delivered in November and returned to work in January 2009. In March 2009, the university told her that her contract would not be renewed for the subsequent season.

The violinist’s lawsuit alleged that she had been wrongfully dismissed because of her pregnancy.

Kozoroz filed a wrongful termination charge with the EEOC, alleging violations of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act and Chapter 21 of the Texas Labor Code. The parties reached a tentative settlement following mediation.