Top college settles lawsuit over ending in-person classes, pays millions.
Cornell University Settles Lawsuit Over Tuition Refunds
Cornell University is preparing to pay $3 million to settle a lawsuit accusing it of improperly keeping tuition after shutting down in-person classes in 2020, according to court filings and a settlement notice.
“The university denies any breach of contract and denies all other allegations of wrongdoing, and there has been no finding of liability in any court. However, considering the interests of both the university and its students in prompt resolution of the matter, the university and plaintiffs have agreed that the university will pay $3,000,000 into a settlement fund to resolve the action,” the notice states.
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A federal judge overseeing the case has granted preliminary approval to the settlement, with a final hearing on the matter scheduled to take place in October.
Three students brought the suit in April 2020 after Cornell shut down its campus and forced students to attend classes remotely.
Martha Pollack, Cornell’s president, said she understood the actions would be disruptive and disappointing, especially the switch to online classes.
“We are asking students to miss out on the enormous value of face-to-face instruction and on the camaraderie of their peers. I appreciate that this will be especially disappointing for our graduating seniors,” she said at the time. “But all of these actions are necessary if we are to be responsive to the recommendations of public health officials regarding how best to slow the spread of COVID-19 and to protect the health of our community, especially of the most vulnerable among us.”
Students had already paid tuition but were deprived of the education that was advertised by the school, the suit said.
Undergraduates at Cornell pay as much as $28,275 per semester, according to court filings.
“The online learning options being offered to Cornell students are subpar in practically every aspect, from the lack of facilities, materials, and access to faculty,” the suit said. The plaintiffs, it said, were therefore entitled to a refund.
Cornell argued it had no choice in shutting down the school and would not give the money back.
The case dragged on for years before being resolved by the settlement agreement.
The agreement establishes a class of students who were enrolled for the spring 2020 semester in a program that was intended to be held in person. Students must not have withdrawn from the university on or before March 1, 2020.
Settlement administrators will pay students meeting those standards by check, mailed to their last known mailing address, the notice states.
“By participating in the proposed settlement, you release your right to bring any claim covered by the proposed settlement, including bringing any claim relating in any way to Cornell’s transition to virtual education or other services as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic beginning in March 2020,” according to the notice.
Students may opt out if they want, or submit an objection if they think the settlement is not fair.
Cornell has about 25,898 students, according to the university. It is located in Ithaca, about one hour southwest of Syracuse in upstate New York.
“Cornell is pleased to have reached this settlement, which both sides believe is in the best interests of all parties,” a spokesman for the university told news outlets in a statement.
Lawyers for the plaintiffs did not respond to a request for comment.
How will eligible students be compensated as part of the settlement between Cornell and the students?
Ose most vulnerable to this virus.”
In their lawsuit, the students argued that Cornell should refund a portion of their tuition fees for the disrupted semester. They claimed that the remote learning experience did not meet the same quality and value as in-person instruction.
The settlement between Cornell and the students will see the university pay $3 million into a settlement fund. This fund will be used to compensate eligible students who submit valid claims. The settlement notice outlines the process for students to submit their claims and receive a refund.
Despite agreeing to the settlement, Cornell maintains that it did not breach any contracts and denies any wrongdoing. The university emphasizes that there has been no finding of liability in any court. However, it recognizes the importance of a prompt resolution to satisfy the interests of both the university and its students.
The settlement’s preliminary approval by a federal judge signifies that the court acknowledges the validity and fairness of the proposed resolution. The final hearing, scheduled for October, will determine the ultimate approval and implementation of the settlement.
The lawsuit and subsequent settlement highlight the challenges faced by universities during the COVID-19 pandemic. Institutions around the world had to adapt quickly to remote learning models to protect the health and safety of their communities. However, this transition inevitably led to disparities in the educational experience for students.
As universities continue to navigate the effects of the pandemic, this settlement serves as a reminder of the ongoing impact on students and the importance of addressing their concerns and advocating for their education. The resolution of this lawsuit demonstrates Cornell University’s commitment to finding a fair solution and mitigating any potential financial burden for its students.
Ultimately, this settlement sets a precedent for other universities and institutions to consider the implications of remote learning on tuition fees and the quality of education provided. It prompts discussions and evaluations of how to enhance the online learning experience and ensure students receive adequate value for their tuition investment.
As the world gradually recovers from the pandemic, universities and educational institutions must continue to adapt and innovate in delivering high-quality education. The lessons learned from this lawsuit and settlement will contribute to ongoing discussions on the future of higher education and the evolving expectations of students and their families.
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