Every institution, academic or otherwise, will get sued at some point. However, in this case, I can't say that the Hamel suit is unjustified. How does any university, for profit or non-profit, get away with treating educated, intelligent, and experienced adults in this manner? First, financial investment. Most people move for graduate school, pay for applications, pay to take the GRE's, etc. By the time a student starts a program they are already financially invested. Also dropping out, even in the first semester, means reapplying to other programs and adding another year to the process (not to mention wasted tuition). Second, the abuse by faculty doesn't happen on day one...it's a gradual process. Third, the grievance process is for show; students have no real power to make changes or address concerns. Students who make efforts to be assertive or stand up for their rights are made examples of. Fourth, students are AFRAID. Fear is the most powerful tool in oppressive systems. Most students are aware that expressing concerns or complaints will be turned around to reflect poorly upon them (not unlike victims being made to feel ashamed and responsible for the abuse they are subjected to). Also, students are afraid that by seeking support from outsiders, the quality of their degree and training will be called into question or worse, they will be punished and will not graduate despite all of their hardwork and invested time and money. I don't think Argosy Tampa has training issues or low standards-in my opinion their expectations are often unreasonable and the standards require superhuman abilities (which is not a good thing). Over-all, they produce competent, caring, and ethical clinicians because there are competent, caring, and ethical people going into the program. However, the way in which students are treated is deplorable and the faculty should be held accountable for their actions. Hopefully this lawsuit will engender policy changes and a balance of power at this insititution. As a profession, we need to support our junior colleagues...problems of abuse in graduate programs are not limited to Argosy, Tampa or to for-profit schools. We teach empowerment and yet many students all over the country are still afraid to report harrassment, abuse, etc.