On Friday, May 15, The Law Office Of Richard S. Cornfeld in collaboration with Arias Sanguinetti Wang & Torrijos filed a lawsuit against the University of Missouri System on behalf of students seeking compensation for tuition and fees due to the university closing campuses during the COVID-19 crisis.
While the closures were absolutely necessary to help limit the spread of the coronavirus, the more than 75,000 students in the University of Missouri System were deprived of the full university experience their tuition and fees were supposed to include when the system shifted to a 100% virtual learning environment.
These students paid a premium when electing to attend college in person, and their tuition and mandatory fees were meant to support a variety of campus activities and amenities .
Being unable to provide those expected benefits, the System should have compensated students for a portion of their tuition and fees. The failure to adequately reimburse students for the limited educational experience received during the spring 2020 semester constitutes a breach of contract and violation of state law.
“Like many other institutions, organizations, and companies, the University of Missouri made the right decision in closing its campuses during COVID-19,” Rick Cornfeld stated. “However, the leadership did the wrong thing by not reimbursing students the money they paid to learn from live professors, spend time on campus, and network with their current and future peers.”
The decision to close campuses and switch to a virtual learning environment was required for public safety, but that does not mean students should be the ones paying for it.
The significant tuition and fees paid in advance of the spring semester came with expectations the university system was unable to live up to, so the system has an obligation to adequately compensate students.
The case that was filed is Student A v. The Curators of the University of Missouri, Circuit Court for the County of Boone, Missouri Thirteenth Judicial Circuit.
If any students within the University Of Missouri System, which includes Mizzou, UMKC, UMSL and UMS&T, wishes to join the lawsuit or learn more, they can contact the Law Firm of Richard S. Cornfeld today at 314-408-6690 or info@cornfeldlegal.com.
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