Universities that went to online learning and persisted with it breached their responsibility to educate their students. Good to see the courts are starting to recognize that fact’ – Jay Bhattacharya
Headlines: MIT University is offering free online courses. No textbooks or fees required. Here are 8 courses you don’t want to miss out. Stanford University is giving FREE online courses to people. No Payments Required. Here are 8 FREE courses to master new skills in 2023. Or how about this one: Wow this is wonderful. George Washington University is paying students robbed during the Covid shutdowns. Yay! Andrea Schaeffer says the George Washington University lawsuit may help deter future mandated lockdowns at universities but if you look at it purely in financial terms, it is an economic and educational loss. GW University yearly tuition is $59,957. The students who were forced onto online education will receive on average $193 for the lost education experience. “A district judge in Washington, D.C., approved the settlement Wednesday. The four student plaintiffs will receive $10,000 each, and the remainder of the settlement fund will be distributed as a tuition refund of about $193 for each student who attended online classes during the spring semester of 2020.”
In the aftermath of the pandemic-driven rush to online education in March 2020, many American colleges are now facing a lingering repercussion akin to “long Covid” – the onslaught of breach-of-contract lawsuits. The litigious trend has recently ensnared George Washington University, one of the nation’s most expensive institutions, as it agreed to a $5.4 million settlement with former students who alleged a deviation from the traditional in-person instruction.
Big money. They might be able to get a Big Mac with fries in 2024 Bidenomics- Lucky C
At the center of the controversy is the transformation of George Washington University into what some derisively call a glorified version of the University of Phoenix. Not only did the school eliminate almost all in-person classes, but it also forbade in-person events and meetings. With a staggering tuition fee of $64,700 for the current academic year and a total estimated cost of attendance reaching $85,740 when factoring in room, board, and other expenses, the abrupt shift to online-only instruction left students dissatisfied.
- Be prepared for anything, including lockdowns with your own Emergency Med kit – see Wellness Emergency Kit (includes Ivermectin and other essential drugs – get approved over the phone – Dr. McCullough’s company!) 🛑
- Get the Spike Control formula to help you clean your blood out of spike proteins from the vaccine. Proven to clean blood and save lives. 👍 – Whatfinger Sponsor
As part of the settlement, four plaintiffs will receive $10,000 each, while the remaining funds will be allocated as a modest $193 tuition refund for other students affected during the spring semester of 2020. Eligible students have until March 11 to voice objections and exclude themselves from the class action suit, retaining the option to file individual suits. An April 2 hearing will provide an opportunity for students to express their views on the settlement’s fairness. Plaintiffs’ attorneys are set to receive $1.78 million.
George Washington University Settles COVID-19 Tuition Refund Lawsuit for $5.4 Million
Each GW student who studied online in the spring 2020 semester can expect to get about $193.https://t.co/nxUxw85yFr
— The Epoch Times (@EpochTimes) January 7, 2024
Despite the settlement, George Washington University maintains its stance of non-admission of wrongdoing. In a notice to students, the university asserted, “The proposed Settlement Agreement is not an admission of wrongdoing by GW. GW denies all allegations of wrongdoing and disclaims all liability with regard to all claims in the Lawsuit.” A university spokeswoman even expressed pride in the institution’s swift transition to online-only instruction.
Interestingly, one of the school’s own law professors, John Banzhaf, often dubbed “the king of class action lawsuits,” is among those applauding the settlement. Banzhaf had previously warned colleges about the potential for litigation when drastically altering the university experience while charging the same tuition. This sentiment aligns with a 2020 ruling by US District Judge Jose Martinez, who compared the situation to “purchasing a Cadillac at full price and receiving an Oldsmobile.”
“George Washington University has reached a $5.4 million settlement with former students who allege the institution broke its contract with them when it abruptly switched to online-only classes at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.”https://t.co/AbiSvtwazR pic.twitter.com/aL48YsoSsP
— Steve McGuire (@sfmcguire79) January 5, 2024
The legal saga involving George Washington University began in 2020, saw dismissal by the DC District Circuit in 2021, and was revived by the US Court of Appeals in 2022. Concurrently, a multitude of similar lawsuits is unfolding across the country. Allegations typically involve universities breaching contracts, either express or implied, by collecting tuition while failing to uphold their end of the “college-experience” agreement. Some cases include claims of unjust enrichment and conversion.
While numerous lawsuits were initiated in 2020, new cases continue to emerge. While many colleges are grappling with the specter of potential legal action, some have already paid substantial settlements. In 2022, Columbia settled for $12.5 million, covering the lack of access to the school’s libraries, gyms, and other campus assets. Cornell settled for $3 million, and the University of Pennsylvania faces a $4.5 million payout. Even Joe Biden’s alma mater, the University of Delaware, is set to pay $6.3 million.
This is a throwback, but George Washington University has agreed to pay $5.4 million to settle breach of contract claims by students seeking a refund for their in-person classes being moved online during the COVID-19 pandemic. https://t.co/JAO7E3FhxD
— Katie Buehler (@bykatiebuehler) August 1, 2023
With the looming prospect of an enrollment decline starting in 2025, colleges are bracing themselves for challenging times. While these legal battles will compensate victims of the tumultuous 2020 period, they also serve as a potential deterrent for administrators considering unilateral shifts based on public health guidance. The financial repercussions, coupled with the enrollment cliff, underscore the need for higher education institutions to carefully weigh the consequences before deviating from established norms.
Major Points Discussed:
- GWU agrees to a $5.4 million settlement in response to breach-of-contract lawsuits.
- Four plaintiffs receive $10,000 each, while other affected students get a $193 tuition refund.
- GWU denies wrongdoing in the settlement, asserting the agreement is not an admission of guilt.
- Law professor John Banzhaf, known for class action lawsuits, had previously warned about litigation risks when altering the university experience while maintaining regular tuition fees.
- With an impending enrollment decline in 2025, colleges are urged to consider the financial and reputational consequences of deviating from traditional instructional models.
Henny Haldopolous
Comments – Threads – Links
- Because that makes a lot of sense- SouthernHunter
- Those are the same individuals who wear N95 masks while driving alone in their EV’s- Romulus-Murphy Hates Whales
- And the lawyers get 2 million- LoveToFlash
- Ohh…that’s quite a significant amount. It’s interesting to see how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected educational institutions and their transition to online-only instruction. Lawsuits related to this matter can have wide-ranging implications. It’ll be intriguing to see how this case unfolds and what impact it will have on the online education in future- NAZIA