Posted: | March 18, 2020 04:42 PM |
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From: | Senator Scott Martin |
To: | All Senate members |
Subject: | Prorated Refunds for Room and Board |
In an effort to further promote a policy of social distancing and slow the spread of COVID-19, institutions of higher education across the Commonwealth began the process of temporarily suspending in-person operations including the ability of students to return to campus or their dormitory. For students and families who have already paid for housing, meal plans and other fees through the end of the semester, this is money they may desperately need right now. On March 16, 2020, Penn State University announced they would be issuing prorated reimbursements for housing and meal plans though the details are still under development. Other schools have announced similar plans. This is a policy that all institutions of higher learning in Pennsylvania should be utilizing. Therefore, I plan to introduce legislation requiring the refund of all pre-paid unused fees including room and board. This would only apply from the date of the post-secondary school closure due to COVID-19, to the end of the semester for which the student had previously paid for, or when normal operations resume, whichever is sooner. I would appreciate your support for this measure by co-sponsoring this legislation. |