Duke University Students Want Tuition Refunds

An anonymous plaintiff says he and other Duke University students are not receiving the “comprehensive academic experience” they paid for before COVID-19 restrictions were implemented and should get refunds from the institution.

The plaintiff, identified only as John Doe, says that he and other students paid Duke University tuition prior to the coronavirus outbreak.

He claims that students expected an on-campus experience, including in-person classes, room and board, and on-campus school activities. Instead, Duke and other colleges and universities have transitioned students to online learning.

Doe allegedly enrolled as a full-time student at Duke for the spring of 2020. He says that he planned to live on the North Carolina campus, paying room and board, along with tuition and other fees.

The Duke University class action lawsuit was filed in Doe’s home state of Minnesota where Doe says he was forced to continue his education online after Duke barred students from returning to campus after spring break.

“Despite sending student home and closing its campus(es), Defendant continues to charge for tuition, fees, and/or room and board as if nothing has changed, continuing to reap the financial benefit of millions of dollars from students,” alleges the Duke University tuition class action lawsuit.

“Defendant does so despite students’ complete inability to continue school as normal, occupy campus buildings and dormitories, or avail themselves of school programs and events.”

According to the complaint, the plaintiff and other Duke students are restricted to a limited number of offerings from the institutions, including classes presented via Google or Zoom.

The plaintiff says there are no face-to-face interactions with faculty and other students, students are not able to access program resources as well as university facilities.

The complaint also points out that other colleges and universities have offered students partial refunds for the school terms affected by COVID-19 restrictions. Duke has not, however, allegedly continuing to charge full tuition.

“And for some students and families,” continues the complaint. “Defendant does so based on outdated financial equations and collections, without taking into account disruptions to family income, a particular concern now where layoffs and furloughs are at record levels.”

The Duke University class action lawsuit contends that all students are adversely affected by the institution’s failure to provide refunds for services it cannot offer during the coronavirus pandemic.

Further, those who had to take out Duke University student loans reportedly face additional financial turmoil, having to potentially pay back loans for a less valuable degree or not receiving enough aid based on their drastically new financial reality.

“While many schools nationwide offer and highlight remote learning capabilities as a primary component of their efforts to deliver educational value…Defendant is not such a school,” alleges the Duke University student loans class action lawsuit.

“Rather, a significant focus of Defendant’s efforts to obtain and recruit students pertains to the campus experience it offers along with face-to-face, personal interaction with skilled and renowned faculty and staff.”

According to the complaint, Duke’s marketing materials tout its on-campus experience, highlighting low student to faculty ratios, 8,600-acre campus, facilities, community feeling, and ability to connect and network.

Students pay upwards of $30,000 in tuition each year for this experience, often taking out substantial Duke University student loans, points out the plaintiff.

“Such charges for study are significantly higher than online only programs,” notes the Duke University class action lawsuit. “Schools delivering an online-only educational experience assess significantly discounted rates for delivering such educational services,” continues the complaint, citing several tuition rates between $960 per course and $3,370 per term rates for online college-level classes offered by other institutions.

“What I want them to do is to do the right thing — look at what they actually provided versus what they promised — and come up with a partial refund that does the right thing by these people,” the plaintiff’s attorney told local news source WRAL of the class action lawsuit.

The plaintiff seeks to represent those who enrolled at Duke for the spring 2020 term and paid tuition, fees, and/or room and board. The class action lawsuit is seeking partial tuition, fee, and other refunds, along with other damages.

Millions have been affected by the shelter-in-place and stay home orders issued in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. Top Class Actions has compiled a comprehensive guide to COVID-19 legal issues to help consumers stay on top of the issues.

Did you pay Duke University tuition or for any other college that has restricted students to online learning? Do you think you should get a refund? Get legal help here.

The plaintiff and proposed Class Members are represented by J. Michael Malone of Hendren, Redwine & Malone PLLC, Steve W. Berman and Daniel J. Kurowski of Hagens Berman Sobol Shapiro LLP, and Andrew S. Levetown of Ivey & Levetown LLP.

The Duke University Tuition Class Action Lawsuit is John Doe v. Duke University, Case No. 20-414, in the U.S. District Court Middle District of North Carolina.

Join a Free Coronavirus College Refund Class Action Lawsuit Investigation

If your college or university closed because of the coronavirus, but you did not receive a refund for tuition, room and board or other fees, you may be able to join this coronavirus school refund class action lawsuit investigation.

Join Here

Read More Lawsuit & Settlement News:

MyLife Class Action Alleges Site Displays False Background Reports

Is There a Recall on Zantac?

Apple Class Action Says Photos App Defies Privacy Laws

Uber vs. Taxi: Which Is Safer?