University of Miami Tuition, Room & Board Lawsuit

Date Filed: 4.8.2020

Case Number: 20-cv-01348

Location Filed: District of South Carolina

Plaintiff: Adelaide Dixon

Summary: A University of Miami student (“student”) filed a class-action lawsuit against University of Miami demanding repayment for paid tuition, mandatory fees, or voluntary fees for privileges or services the University of Miami failed to provide due to its COVID-19 related campus closure. Class Action Complaint and Jury Demand, Dixon v. Univ. of Miami, 2:20-CV-1348-BHH (D.S.C. Apr. 8, 2020). The lawsuit was filed April 8, 2020, in the U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina and makes claims against the University of Miami for breach of contract and unjust enrichment. Id. The lawsuit highlights that as a precondition for enrollment, the student was required to and did pay tuition, as did all members of the proposed Class. Id. Additionally, the student paid tuition and fees for in-person instruction at the University of Miami, which covers not just the academic education, but encompass an entirely different experience from the online program, such as face to face interaction with professors, mentors, peers, extra-curricular activities, and facilities. Id.

The suit claims the University of Miami breached its contract with students by failing to provide those services and has otherwise not performed under the contract. Id. Alternatively, the University of Miami is unjustly enriched because it continued to charge for tuition and reaping the financial benefit of millions of dollars from tuition-payers, despite sending students home, closing its campus and residence halls, and changing courses for the worse. Id.

The complaint reads, “although the University of Miami is still offering some level of academic instruction via online classes, Plaintiff and members of the proposed Class have been and will be deprived of the benefits of on-campus learning.” Id. As of September 18, 2018, the University of Miami's total endowment net assets exceeded $950 million. Jessica Bakeman, University of Miami President Wants To Boost Endowment Ahead of Centennial Wlrn.org (2020), https://www.wlrn.org/post/university-miami-president-wants-boost-endowment-ahead-centennial#stream/0 (last visited Jun 11, 2020). 

For questions regarding this case, please call 800-777-7777