University of Minnesota students who had to move off campus because of the pandemic will now receive full refunds for unused housing and dining services from March 28 through the end of the spring semester.
Students will also receive refunds for parking contracts, recreation center dues and fees for student services and transportation and safety. The new student fee refund model, which was approved by the Board of Regents on Friday morning on an 8-4 vote, was brought forward after a wave of criticism from students who said they were being shortchanged for unused housing and dining services.
The U initially proposed a room-and-board refund of $1,200 for Twin Cities students and $1,000 for those on its system campuses. Most Twin Cities students pay more than $5,000 per semester for housing and meal plans, and half the semester remained when the U canceled in-person classes at its five campuses March 11 and encouraged students not to return after spring break.
"This is a refund to reflect how campus life has changed," U President Joan Gabel said Friday. "Our administration is committed to carefully considering every decision we make, and if we need to improve it or need to evolve so that we can be better or stronger for our students, we will do so."
The U estimates it will lose $27.8 million in revenue by issuing the larger refunds.
For students on the Twin Cities campus, the refunds could amount to nearly double what was originally proposed. Students who used the most common housing and meal plan options could recoup nearly $2,400, said associate vice president of university finance Julie Tonneson.
But the refunds will vary among students, she said. On the U's other system campuses, the refunds could average between $1,400 and $1,900.
"This change will have a very positive effect on students, providing additional cost relief when students need it most," said Ken Powell, chairman of the Board of Regents.
