Several universities in the Pittsburgh area have settled lawsuits stemming from the switch to online classes during the 2020 covid-19 pandemic, including, most recently, the University of Pittsburgh for nearly $8 million.
Although the settlement amounts range from $1 million to $17 million — bigger schools owe more — the ultimate payout to the tens of thousands of affected students likely will be less than $300 each.
In Pitt’s case, the settlement amount is $246 — before attorneys’ fees and litigation costs, which have not yet been submitted.
“Throughout the spring of 2020 and beyond, the University of Pittsburgh worked to prioritize public health interests and the safety of our students, faculty and staff,” said Jared Stonesifer, a Pitt spokesman. “Now that a settlement has been reached, the university looks forward to moving on from this matter and continuing to provide exceptional education to all of our students.”
A message left with the Pittsburgh law firm involved in the cases was not immediately returned.
In the days after then-Gov. Tom Wolf ordered all non-life-sustaining businesses in Pennsylvania to close in March 2020, most local universities transferred to online learning.
However, according to lawsuits filed against schools including Pitt, Point Park University, Penn State University, Carnegie Mellon University and Gannon University, students lost out on many of the benefits they originally signed up for — such as in-person learning, housing and campus events.
A handful of students at the schools then sued in federal court, alleging breach of contract and unjust enrichment. They sought to have the complaints certified as class-action lawsuits.
In the original complaints, the plaintiffs noted some universities at the time provided a 10% refund to their students because of the move to online classes.
The lawsuit initially filed against Pitt was thrown out by U.S. District Judge William Stickman IV in April 2021, but parts of it were reinstated by the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.
On April 11, the parties sought court approval of the potential settlement. A hearing to ensure the settlement is fair is scheduled for July 7.
According to the proposed settlement, the university will pay $7.85 million to 31,878 class members.
Class members include all students who were enrolled in at least one in-person class during the spring of 2020 at any Pitt campus who then had their learning moved online.
According to the settlement agreement, each class member’s payment will be made automatically, and they need not take any action.
The payments will be sent to the students’ last known mailing address on file with the registrar.
However, if a student would prefer payment through a paper check, Venmo or PayPal, they may go to the settlement website and make that selection.
