Class-Action Lawsuit Filed Against Globe University Says School Deceived Students

A class-action lawsuit filed Tuesday alleges Globe University has deceived students about accreditation, financial aid and job prospects after graduation.

Filed on behalf of five current and former students, the suit also says Globe misled students about transferring credits and starting salaries for graduates, and enrolled students based on their ability to secure financial aid, according to a release from Halunen & Associates, the firm that represented a former dean who won a $400,000 whistleblower suit against the university in August.

“Unfortunately, the types of deceptive and abusive practices alleged at Globe University are widespread throughout the for-profit university and career college industry,” Scott Carlson, a lawyer at Halunen & Associates, said in a statement. “Hopefully by casting light upon Globe’s practices, we will also encourage other people who suspect they have been victimized by for-profit universities to stand up for their own legal rights.”

Woodbury-based Globe University refuted the allegations.

“Although it is disappointing that even one student has something unfavorable to say about our schools, we know the sentiment of these five individuals does not reflect all, and we will not allow it to cast a black eye on the thousands of students proud to be a member of our schools,” Naomi McDonald, Globe spokeswoman, said in a statement. “We have been committed to student success for decades and will do whatever it takes to protect our students, schools and those working hard every day to support both.”

The students named in the suit—Melissa Beck, Sarah Beck, Cherida Brom, Reginald Holmes, and Alexenderia Romig-Palodichuk—include three from the Globe University location in Sioux Falls, S.D. and two from the school’s Woodbury location.

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