Posted inLawsuits

USC Learns the Hard Way

A close-up of a stack of colorful hardcover books arranged with their spines facing left. The book colors include shades of blue, red, green, and yellow. The background is softly blurred, emphasizing the focus on the books.
Institution of higher learning?

A recent lawsuit filed against the University of Southern California (USC) and 2U, Inc., a publicly traded company, alleges that the institution of higher education provided limited information and statistics to U.S. News & World Report. In order to draw in prospective students to online programs, USC presented favorable rankings, which were only accurate for one in-person program. According to the lawsuit, USC has established a history of supplying misleading information to U.S. News & World Report and allegedly withheld data that might have influenced a lesser rank. USC is placing blame on the dean of the Rossier School of Education.

2 minutes
Posted inLawsuits

Follow the Road to Ownership

A curved path with flowers on one side and a stone path on the other runs alongside a body of water under an arched bridge. The scene is set on a cloudy day, with misty mountains in the background and greenery lining the path.
Yellow brick lawsuit

Almost fifty years after a dress was gifted to a priest at The Catholic University of America, a relative is challenging the determined ownership of the costume. The significance of the blue and white gingham dress and paired white blouse is legendary. Judy Garland’s acquired costume in the iconic Wizard of Oz is one of four total dresses and one of two dresses with the matching blouse known to still be in existence. Actress Mercedes McCambridge, who died in 2004, gave the costume to Rev. Gilbert Hartke in 1973 as a ‘thank you’ for helping her through her substance use issues. Now, the priest’s niece, Barbara Hartke, contends that the dress belongs to her, as the heir of her uncle’s estate.

2 minutes
Posted inLawsuits

A New College Requirement

Signs along a curbside read "Covid Vaccine Clinic Parking Only" with parking symbols. Bright sunlight casts shadows of nearby trees on the pavement, outlining a designated area for clinic visitors.
Vaccine mandate

The college experience is one of the more pivotal moments in a young adult’s life. Among the various components needed to apply, including resumes, grades, and letters of recommendation, a new requirement has shocked the higher education world. This recently introduced college mandate, however, does not only affect first-time, incoming students. Most existing and new students who plan to return to one of the University of Connecticut (UConn) campuses this fall must be fully vaccinated. In response to this newly implemented rule, a group of students and parents are threatening legal action.

2 minutes