Class Act

The late Rush Limbaugh used to sermonize that, “words mean things.” The word “Doge” has a
couple of distinct meanings; historically, “Doge” refers to an elected lord and head of state in
medieval Venetian and Renaissance periods, and later it transferred onward into the time of
Benito Mussolini. Somehow, today’s search for Government Efficiency has perhaps
unfortunately or ironically carried DOGE back into our popular lexicon of modern usage.

Although the concept of authoritarianism made its way alongside our modern usage, this four
letter word is but an acronym that the GOP has used to sweep themselves into power, on the
promise of maximum productivity and austerity. What we ended up with, are policies that tend to
hurt some, and ultimately, help none. The present administration is so busy enacting public
policy, that the concept of public service is never mentioned on their side of the aisle.

However, there is still another side of the aisle. In a renewed effort to protect students from
predatory educational practices, Congresswoman Maxine Waters and Senate Democratic Whip
Dick Durbin, have reintroduced the Court Legal Access and Student Support (CLASS) Act. The
bicameral legislation is designed to ensure students defrauded by for-profit colleges have the
right to take legal action, ending the widespread use of mandatory arbitration clauses that often
deny students their day in court.

The CLASS Act seeks to prohibit institutions of higher education from accessing federal Title IV
student aid funds if they include mandatory arbitration agreements in their enrollment contracts
or otherwise limit students’ ability to file claims in court. The legislation targets for-profit colleges,
many of which have historically relied on these clauses to shield themselves from legal scrutiny,
even in cases of fraud or misrepresentation. “For years, students have been stripped of their
basic rights through fine print in enrollment contracts,” Waters said during the announcement.
“Predatory for-profit colleges have used these clauses to avoid accountability while continuing to
profit off public funds and students’ futures.”

Durbin echoed similar concerns, calling the legislation an important step toward ending
exploitative tactics that leave students without recourse when they are misled about programs,
job placement rates, or accreditation status.

Under the proposed law, any for-profit institution that includes forced arbitration clauses would
be disqualified from participating in federal student aid programs. The bill also ensures that the
Federal Arbitration Act does not apply to student enrollment agreements, effectively nullifying
arbitration mandates that have been upheld in past legal disputes. The legislation would take
effect one year after enactment, giving schools a transition period to bring their policies into
compliance. The CLASS Act does not apply to legitimate non-profit colleges and universities,
which typically do not include such restrictive clauses in their agreements. The bill is narrowly
tailored to address ongoing issues within the for-profit education sector, which has seen
repeated enforcement actions, campus closures, and bankruptcy filings in recent years, leaving
thousands of students in financial and academic limbo.

On social media, student advocacy groups and consumer protection organizations have rallied
behind the bill. Some commenters shared firsthand experiences of being denied access to legal
recourse after discovering that arbitration agreements blocked them from suing for tuition

refunds or damages. Supporters say the legislation is a critical step in restoring fairness to
higher education, particularly for low-income and first-generation college students who are
disproportionately targeted by for-profit institutions. They argue that public funds should not
support schools that deprive students of the ability to hold them accountable. If passed, the
CLASS Act would mark a significant shift in the federal government’s oversight of for-profit
colleges and mark a major win for student rights. Advocates, across