Many colleges are refusing to refund students with half of their tuition and fees due to COVID-19. Georgia states that an act of God as:
Lightning
Storms
Perils of the sea
Inundations
Sudden death
Illness
Earthquakes
Under the 'illness' clause, will COVID-19 allow colleges to break their agreements to provide in-person education and not refund tuition because this is an act of God? It could be argued that COVID-19 was preventable has people been quarantined, washed their hands, etc., but it could also be argued that it was going to spread because it is a new virus strain. I'm trying to get an understanding to see whether or not I have grounds to file a class-action lawsuit against my college. I attend a college that does not have online classes at all and recently added them only for summer school. Thus, students signed up for the on-campus, in-person college experience.
To reiterate my question: is COVID-19 an act of God or not? Are colleges, such as mine, breaking their agreement with students by moving to online learning when this is not what we signed up for? Do I have grounds to stand on and possibly win a class-action lawsuit for a half semesters refund? Thank you
What does your contract with the College say?
