University of Delaware settles COVID lockdown suit for $6.3 million

THE UNIVERSITY OF DELAWARE HAS TO PAY OVER SIX MILLION DOLLARS TO SETTLE A LAWSUIT.

THAT LAWSUIT — OVER THE UNIVERSITY’S DECISION TO SHUT DOWN ITS CAMPUS AND HALT IN-PERSON CLASSES DURING THE PANDEMIC.

AT ISSUE IN THE LAWSUIT IS THE TUITION THE UNIVERSITY COLLECTED DURING THIS TIME.

MORE THAN 17-THOUSAND UNDERGRADS WERE ENROLLED AT THE UNIVERSITY IN THE SPRING OF 2020.

THE UNIVERSITY COLLECTED MORE THAN 160 MILLION DOLLARS IN TUITION THAT SEMESTER.

THE PLAINTIFFS IN THE LAWSUIT ARGUED THAT BEFORE THE PANDEMIC — THE UNIVERSITY TREATED IN-PERSON AND ONLINE CLASSES AS SEPARATE OFFERINGS — AND CHARGED MORE FOR SOME IN-PERSON CLASS THAN THEIR ONLINE EQUIVALENTS.

STUDENTS ALSO NOTED THAT THE UNIVERSITY CHARGED THEM FEES FOR THE GYM, STUDENT CENTERS, AND THE HEALTH CENTER — DESPITE NOT HAVING ACCESS TO THOSE SERVICES DURING THE SHUTDOWN.

LET’S TAKE A LOOK AT THE MEDIA LANDSCAPE ON THIS STORY.

SURPRISINGLY — IT’S MOSTLY BEING COVERED BY SOURCES ON THE LEFT AND IN THE CENTER.

TYPICALLY — THE RIGHT IS MORE LIKELY TO JUMP ON STORIES ABOUT INSTITUTIONS BEING HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR PANDEMIC-RELATED LOCKDOWNS.

SOME 21-THOUSAND CURRENT AND FORMER STUDENTS COULD RECEIVE CASH REIMBURSEMENTS FROM THIS SETTLEMENT.

DESPITE AGREEING TO THE SETTLEMENT — THE UNIVERSITY CONTINUES TO DENY ALL ALLEGATIONS OF WRONGDOING.