University of San Diego resolves COVID-19 class action lawsuit for $1.4 million
The University of San Diego has reached a settlement of $1.4 million in a class action lawsuit filed by students who felt shortchanged by the institution’s switch to online learning due to COVID-19. Although the agreement was reached in November last year, the final resolution came this month.
A coalition of USD students initiated their joint legal action in April 2021, asserting that the university failed to fulfill its contractual obligations and unfairly benefited from restrictions on services made necessary by the pandemic. Their contention was that the shift to virtual instruction negatively impacted their educational experience and robbed them of potential earnings from on-site learning opportunities.
Of the $1.4 million settlement amount, a portion will cover legal fees, administrative costs, and filing expenses, with the remainder earmarked for the students involved in the legal action. USD maintains its innocence against the claims raised by the students in the lawsuit.
In a legal document, it was stated, “After extensive litigation, including various legal procedures, evaluations, and negotiations, the parties have decided to resolve the matter through mutual agreement.” The decision of the University of San Diego to settle reflects a trend among academic institutions facing similar class action challenges, where some universities have opted for settlements rather than engaging in protracted legal battles.
Notably, other universities like George Washington and Penn State also settled class action lawsuits stemming from changes in educational delivery necessitated by the pandemic. In response to queries on USD’s settlement, a university spokesperson affirmed their continuous efforts to uphold educational standards during the health crisis. The spokesperson stated, “We are confident in the quality of education we provided and dispute any claims to the contrary. The lawsuit is part of a broader legal landscape encompassing numerous universities and colleges targeted by class action lawsuits. Our settlement allows us to focus on our core mission.”
The agreement reached by the University of San Diego in this lawsuit illuminates a broader context of higher education institutions grappling with legal implications arising from the disruptions caused by the pandemic. While the details of the settlement and its impact on future legal actions remain to be seen, the resolution signals a concerted effort by the university to address concerns raised by students affected by the transition to online learning.
