Mills College
No Company is Too Big to Play Fair.Nichols Kaster, together with Bryan Schwartz Law, filed a class action on behalf of students against Mills College on May 11, 2022.
Defendant Mills College abruptly notified students and staff on March 17, 2021, of its impending closure. Defendant told students it would most likely confer its final degrees in 2023. In June 2021, Defendant announced a forthcoming merger with Northeastern University and reaffirmed its promise that it would most likely confer its final degrees in 2023. As alleged in the complaint, Defendant made a variety of representations to its students in connection with its closure, including but not limited to, the ability to graduate from Mills in the student’s chosen program, the ability to graduate from Mills by 2023, the ability to continue their education at Mills or Mills at Northeastern with no increased costs, and the transferability of credits. In reliance on Defendant’s repeated assurances, Plaintiff Cordrey, Plaintiff Varner, and other similarly-situated students decided to continue their studies at Mills with the expectation of graduating in the proscribed period and in their desired program.
Despite Defendant’s promises and representations, students were notified in September 2021 that Defendant would stop conferring degrees in 2022 – approximately a year sooner than previously represented. And more than a year after its closure announcement, Mills finally provided its long-promised guidance to students outlining Northeastern transfer pathways. At this time, students like Plaintiff Cordrey learned for the first time that their majors were going to be eliminated as part of the merger with Northeastern, and that they would have to change majors or transfer to other institutions to receive their intended degrees. As alleged in the Complaint, students are left scrambling, unsure of their academic future.
Plaintiffs, on behalf of themselves and members of the proposed class, assert violations of California Unfair Competition Law, California False Advertising Law, and for negligent misrepresentation.
This case is entitled Cordrey et al. v. Mills College, et. al., Court File No. 22CV011159 (California Alameda County Superior Court)
Frequently Asked Questions
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Q:How do I Join This Case?
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As part of our investigatory efforts, we are interested in speaking with current and former Mills College students.
You may contact us toll-free at (877) 344-4628, write to us at Nichols Kaster, PLLP, 4700 IDS Center, 80 South Eighth Street, Minneapolis, MN 55402, or email Attorney Charlie O’Meara at comeara@nka.com.
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Q:Am I Eligible?
A:
This case seeks to represent all persons who enrolled at Mills on March 17, 2021, and who re-enrolled at Mills for the fall 2021 semester. If you have questions about whether you are included, contact us.
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Q:What is a Class Action?
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In a class action lawsuit, one or more people, called the “class representatives,” sue on behalf of themselves and other people who have similar claims. Together, this group of people is called a “class” or “class members.” The class representative and the class members together are called the “Plaintiffs.” The entities or companies they sue are called the “Defendants.” The judge or jury resolves the claims for everyone in the class—except those who ask to be excluded from the lawsuit.
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Q:How Long with this Take?
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Class actions can often take years. Please check this page periodically for updates on the case’s status.
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Q:How Do I Learn More?
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For more information or questions regarding this case, please contact our Case Clerk, Haley Thompson, at hthompson@nka.com or call (612) 256-3268.
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