University of Delaware settles class-action suit over campus shutdown

The University of Delaware has agreed to pay over $6 million to settle a lawsuit over the 2020 campus shutdown that ended in person classes because of Covid-19.

The settlement includes $2.1 million in plaintiff attorney fees, $5,000 for five plaintiffs, with most of the remaining funds being distributed to some 21,000 enrolled students. Individual students are expected to receive around $188 each.

In April, Judge Stephanos Bibas ruled the case could proceed as a class action, dismissing the university’s argument that the students didn’t have standing to sue. Bibas accused the university of breaching contract for unjust enrichment.

“If U. Delaware got a greater benefit than the students, then it was probably unjust for the school to keep the students’ money, as that enrichment has no basis in a valid argument,” Bibas wrote, according to WDEL.  

The five plaintiff representatives argued before the pandemic online and in person classes were different rates, in person classes were more expensive. In addition, the students stated they were charged fees for facilities they couldn’t use such as the gym, student centers and health centers according to WDEL.  

According to the University of Delaware’s website those three fees total at $1020, per semester.  

The university claimed that none of the five named plaintiffs paid tuition and therefore weren’t members of the proposed class. 

“That is false,” Bibas wrote. “The named plaintiffs paid tuition, through either loans or cash from their parents.”  

Despite agreeing to settle the case the university denies any wrongdoing, according to Fox News.   

The settlement is still waiting final court approval.