Golden Gate University faced quite a significant surprise last year when they declared they would be ending their renowned Juris Doctor (JD) program. This decision, while shocking, was not entirely unexpected as the program had been experiencing a noticeable decline for some time. Past students and alumni of the program had repeatedly requested additional information relating to the school’s operations, amidst concerns of potential mismanagement. As recounted in an in-depth analysis by Above The Law, their questions largely went unanswered, leading to a lawsuit against the institution.
As reported by Courthouse News, a complaint was filed in the California Superior Court in San Francisco. The lawsuit’s claimants indicate that Golden Gate University’s President, David Fike, allegedly caused the program’s termination by procuring $60 million in loans back in 2019. It is suggested that this rather substantial liability was accrued in order to fund untested online law degree initiatives and to offer tuition-free options to all law students admitted in 2022.
However, these claimants assert that Fike was aware or should have been aware that if both the university and the law school were to begin operating these new, untested degree programs, while simultaneously implementing other significant changes, it would likely prove financially unsustainable for the university to repay the loans.
Fike’s opacity throughout the entire process has led many to question the legitimacy of his actions and the overall transparency of the university’s operations. The lawsuit specifically targets Fike’s alleged “lack of transparency” as a primary factor contributing to the school’s shutdown.
While Golden Gate University’s legal team prepares to mount a defense, many are eagerly watching this rather unique case unfold as it has the potential to set a precedent for other similar cases in the future.