Maryland universities offering partial refunds to students

MARYLAND– Since the coronavirus has forced Maryland universities to move classes online, many institutions are now providing partial refunds to students.

“It’s about students first, we understand that this is a particular situation that brings a lot of anxiety,” Lester Primus , Vice President of Administration and Finance at University of Maryland Eastern Shore, said.

The partial refunds,  recommended by the University System of Maryland, will be offered by both the University of Maryland Eastern Shore and Salisbury University.

“We’re issuing a refund of just over 50% for all of the housing time that was unused and the dining time that was unused,” Jason Rhodes, Director of Public Relations at Salisbury University, said.

These refunds are something that students, like Harrison Leon, from SU, can get behind.

“I’m a graduating senior and to have more cash available to my family in this time where there is economic downturn and I’m entering the job market, it kind of alleviates a lot of stress,” Leon said.

Students will receive partial refunds on things like room and board, parking, and athletics; and even though these refunds will cost universities a pretty penny, they said it’s worth it.

“And I think people are happy that the refunds have been issued, but again that was the only fair thing to do,” Rhodes said.

“Having the ability to have some more income or have more cash availability to you or expendable income it’s really something that the University System of Maryland made a good decision on,” Leon said.

We are told SU has already started the process of giving back partial refunds to students.

UMES is still working to figure out a plan, but they hope to start processing refunds either this upcoming Monday or the week after.

A spokesperson for UMES said they likely will lose close to three million dollars as a result of these refunds.