The students of the University of Minnesota are calling for an increase in the housing refund and a stipend for all students now living off campus due to travel costs and lease requirements for on/off-campus housing

In the wake of COVID-19, the University of Minnesota has issued strong suggestions to leave the campus and residence and return home if at all possible. This move to remote learning is unprecedented and brings many questions that those in leadership are working hard to find the answers to.

One of these questions is that of finances in relation to housing and meal plans. The University has previously announced a flat rate of $1,200 to students on all campuses who have paid for a meal plan and residence hall terms. While this is a good start, I believe there is more to be done here. As indicated on the University of Minnesota cost of attendance webpage: https://onestop.umn.edu/finances/cost-attendance room and board costs on average $5,179 per semester.  There were 7 weeks in the remainder of the semester of the 17 weeks total that were available for meal plans/housing. Thus, taking $5,179 * (7/17) = $2,130. This is $930 more than the University has previously indicated yet it is our fair share of the refund. This does not take into account the variability is room and board costs across campuses and even on the Twin Cities Campus. 

Additionally, Congress has recently passed the CARES Act in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. This includes a provision for $13.95 billion for higher education of which, half of the funds granted specifically to the University must be used for students to support costs associated with housing/food/travel in this crisis.  The University of Minnesota now has access to these funds as well as the Emergency Funds of the University itself. There is now no reason the University of Minnesota should not be able to assist students financially in this time of uncertainty and lost assets.