Roger Williams University Tuition, Room & Board Payback

Date Filed: 5.21.2020

Case Number: 1:20-cv-00226

Location Filed: District of Rhode Island

Plaintiff: Jeremy Simmons-Telep

Summary: A Roger Williams University student (“student”) filed a class-action lawsuit against Roger Williams University demanding repayment for paid tuition, mandatory fees, or voluntary fees for privileges or services Roger Williams University failed to provide due to its COVID-19 related campus closure. Class Action Complaint and Jury Demand, Simmons-Telep v. Roger Williams Univ., 20-CV-00226 (D.R.I. May. 21, 2020). The lawsuit was filed May 21, 2020, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island and makes claims against Roger Williams University for breach of contract and unjust enrichment. Id. The lawsuit highlights that as a precondition for enrollment, the student was required to and did pay tuition, as did all members of the proposed Class. Id. Additionally, the student paid tuition and fees for in-person instruction at Roger Williams University, which covers not just the academic education, but encompass an entirely different experience from the online program, such as face to face interaction with professors, mentors, peers, extra-curricular activities, and facilities. Id. 

 The suit claims Roger Williams University breached its contract with students by failing to provide those services and has otherwise not performed under the contract. Id. Alternatively, Roger Williams University is unjustly enriched because it continued to charge for tuition and reaping the financial benefit of millions of dollars from tuition-payers, despite sending students home, closing its campus and residence halls, and changing courses for the worse Class Action. Id.

The complaint reads, “although Roger Williams University is still offering some level of academic instruction via online classes, Plaintiff and members of the proposed Class have been and will be deprived of the benefits of on-campus learning.” Id. As of March 7, 2018, Roger Williams University's total endowment net assets exceeded $90 million. Max Larkin, For One University President, Wealthy Schools' Tax Complaints Ring Hollow Wbur.org (2020), https://www.wbur.org/edify/2018/03/07/endowment-tax-effects (last visited Jun 17, 2020).

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