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A college student’s parent recently filed a Miami University tuition class action lawsuit, arguing that costs should be reduced in light of the coronavirus.
Michael Weiman, the father of an Illinois student at Miami University, says that the college wrongfully passed on COVID-19 costs to students and other people responsible for paying tuition. Weiman contends that tuition should have been significantly reduced after the campus was closed due to the ongoing pandemic.
“While this step to close campus and end in-person classes was necessitated by circumstances, it effectively breached or terminated the contract Miami University had with each and every student and tuition provider, who paid for the opportunity to participate fully in the academic life on the Miami University campus,” the Miami University tuition class action lawsuit in Ohio court alleges.
Like most universities around the country, Miami University reportedly closed in March and moved classes online in order to respond to the coronavirus outbreak. Since COVID-19 is highly contagious, social distancing has been one of the most effective measures to slow the spread of the disease.
Unfortunately, as a result of the transition to online classes, Weiman’s daughter has allegedly received a subpar education. As she is unable to access services, facilities, and other opportunities on campus, Weiman’s daughter has allegedly been denied all the benefits of her Miami University tuition.
Due to these missed opportunities, Weiman argues that tuition should be reduced at Miami University. However, instead of compensating students and parents for the overpaid tuition costs, Miami University “has retained all tuition, fees, and related payments for these classes and plans to do so for similar online classes in the coming semesters.”
Weiman notes that Miami University has previously offered online courses similar to those now provided to their on-campus students. However, online students were allegedly allowed to pay far less for remote instruction as they are not receiving the various benefits of in-person classes. Despite the precedent of online classes costing less, students are allegedly being charged for the full cost of Miami University tuition while being denied the benefits of these expenses.
According to Weiman’s Miami University class action lawsuit, the school is effectively passing on the cost of coronavirus losses to their students by refusing to refund tuition costs.
“While the effects of the COVID-19 crisis are shared by all individuals and institutions across the country, Defendant has failed to apportion the burden in an equitable manner or consistent with its obligations as an educational institution,” Weiman argues in his class action lawsuit against Miami University in Ohio.
Weiman says that similar problems will likely plague the upcoming fall semester.
For the fall semester, which started on Aug. 17, students had three options. First, a phased reopening in which classes begin online on Aug. 17 and then transition to in-person by Sept. 14. Second, fully remote learning. Third, a gap year.
Students may receive benefits from Miami University depending on which option they choose. For example, students who chose to attend classes on campus will reportedly be offered a $750 credit along with adjusted housing and dining fees. Similarly, in-state students who opt into online learning will receive a $1,000 credit. Out-of-state students who chose online classes will reportedly be provided with a $2,000 credit.
However, Weiman argues that this is not enough. Instead, he urges Miami University to refund tuition costs which they aren’t using and to stop trying to squeeze funds out of students and parents alike.
“[Miami University] is attempting to replace the irreplaceable – on-campus life at an elite university – with ‘virtual learning’ via online classes, and is attempting to pass off this substitute educational experience as the same as or just as good as fully participation in the university’s academic life,” the Miami University tuition class action lawsuit argues.
Weiman seeks to represent a Class of individuals who paid tuition and fees to attend Miami University and had their attendance partly or entirely limited to online formats due to the coronavirus outbreak. On behalf of himself and this proposed Class, Weiman seeks restitution, disgorgement, actual damage, compensatory damages, punitive damages, interest, court costs, and attorneys’ fees.
Have you paid Miami University tuition or expenses to another university during the coronavirus? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.
Weiman and the proposed Class are represented by Mitchel Luxenburg of the Law Firm of Mitch Luxenburg.
The Miami University Tuition Class Action Lawsuit is Michael Weiman v. Miami University, Case No. 1:20-cv-00640, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio.
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