Comment on University of Iowa, Iowa State to refund housing, dining, and fees

IOWA CITY — Iowa’s public universities on Monday announced they’ll provide some refunds for students affected by this semester’s unprecedented midterm move online amid the COVID-19 outbreak — including those forced to abandon housing contracts and meal plans in the residence halls. But they won’t refund tuition and mandatory fees — according to a UI message to students Monday that reminded them revenue is necessary to cover its “ongoing operations, including retaining the faculty and staff needed to provide virtual instruction and online student support services.” “We know this is not what you signed up for at the start of the semester,” according to the UI message to students.