With the closure of Michigan State University’s campus due to the COVID-19 virus, the University has decided to implement a number of preventative measures to reduce the likelihood of the virus spreading to the student population. Such measures include the cancellation of all face-to-face classes and instead implementing remote online instruction, as well as the closure/limiting of campus facilities such as residents halls, cafeterias, etc. While we applaud President Stanley’s leadership for putting the student’s health and safety as the University’s main priority, it is important to consider the financial impact on the students.

Currently, tuition at the Michigan State University is roughly $7,441.50 per semester. When most students agreed to take on the financial burden of taking out loans to pay such an exorbitant fee, we did so because we expected to receive in-person face-to-face instruction, as well as the opportunity to seek out help from our professors during office hours. Because of the circumstances of this decision--this is now no longer a possibility for students, and we are now essentially stuck paying $7,441.50 for online classes. This does not account for fees for campus activity fees (activities which have all been canceled),  lab fees, transportation fees, books and materials, facilities fees, etc. It is no longer fair to charge students for such amenities. On top of this students are also being forced to move out of the residents halls. Rooming at MSU can cost from $5,120-$5,436. 

When students have chronic illnesses or diseases that impact their learning or attendance at MSU, accommodations requested from the MSU Resource Centers for Persons with Disabilities for online learning accommodations when the condition inhibits learning are denied. MSU RCPD and the President prides themselves on being a face-to-face learning institution and not a telecommuter or online university. Why are we so quick to accommodate switching almost virtually overnight to online learning for COVID-19, but not for students that have absolutely no choice to account for their chronic condition that did not ask for this? 

Because of the financial impact of this decision, we are asking for President Stanley, Office of the Registrar, Office of the Controller and Michigan State University, to give partial or any refunds or lifting overdue account balance for students.