Katherine Webster  |  October 29, 2020

Category: Covid-19

Top Class Actions’s website and social media posts use affiliate links. If you make a purchase using such links, we may receive a commission, but it will not result in any additional charges to you. Please review our Affiliate Link Disclosure for more information.

Tufts University COVID-19 closures prompts a student to seek a tuition refund.

A Tufts University student has filed a class action lawsuit against the school, seeking a refund on classes that were changed or canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic.

While plaintiff Carmen Bruckno doesn’t disagree that the school made the right decision in canceling in-person classes during the pandemic, she thinks it’s only right that she and other Tufts University students be refunded the money they spent on services they did not receive.

Tufts University announced March 10 that it was canceling in-person instruction because of the pandemic, according to the class action lawsuit. 

Before that date, only some courses offered by the university were available online, Bruckno claims, pointing out that undergraduates were prohibited from taking more than 15 credit hours online per semester.

After the March announcement was made, classes at Tufts University were canceled for three days; nearly all remaining coursework was moved online, according to the class action lawsuit.

However, many classes were canceled for the rest of the semester, meaning that they weren’t even available online, Bruckno says.

Tufts is a private university offering programs at 11 constituent schools, according to the class action lawsuit. Total enrollment for the fall 2019 semester was 10,919 full-time students; as of June 2019, the university had an endowment of $1.98 billion.

Tufts University charged undergraduates $28,617 in tuition for the spring semester, the class action lawsuit states. The total for tuition, fees, room and board and other expenses for the 2020-2021 academic year comes to about $79,000.

Bruckno claims that though the university could no longer provide in-person classes or “direct faculty instruction” after closing in March, students were still required to pay the full tuition price.

The plaintiff says Tufts University is not entitled “to pass the entire cost of its COVID-19 related closure to its students and their families,” and argues she and other Tufts students should receive a partial refund of tuition and other payments made for in-person instruction, facilities access and other services.

Remote learning and online classes can’t replicate “the full academic opportunities and experiences of in-person instruction,” Bruckno says.

“Access to facilities, materials, laboratories, faculty, student collaboration, and the opportunity for on-campus living, school events, dialogue, feedback and critique are essential to the educational experience.”

According to the class action lawsuit, Tufts University violated the contract it enters into with students when they enroll for classes.

Tufts University COVID-19 closures prompts a student to seek a tuition refund.Through this express or implied contract, Bruckno and the Class Members allegedly agree to pay tuition and other costs in exchange for Tufts University providing “an agreed-upon number of classes through in-person instruction and access to physical resources and school facilities such as libraries, laboratories, and classrooms.”

“For each class taken, Tufts promised to provide the education specified in the course catalog and course syllabus, including the time and physical location of the in-person instruction,” the class action lawsuit says.

According to Bruckno, Tufts University prohibits the changing of course formats unless those changes are approved by the curricular committee.

“Plaintiff substantially performed her contractual obligations,” the class action lawsuit says. “Tufts did not.”

Bruckno seeks to represent a Class of anyone “who paid or caused to be paid tuition and/or fees to attend Tufts University when classes and/or coursework were limited in whole or in part to online attendance as a result of or in connection with COVID-19.”

The class action lawsuit claims Tufts University has financially damaged the proposed Class because Class Members “did not receive the full value of the services for which they paid,” losing the benefit of their bargain and suffering out-of-pocket losses.

Bruckno accuses Tufts University of breach of contract and unjust enrichment.

“While the effects of the COVID-19 crisis are shared by all individuals and institutions across the country, Tufts has failed to apportion the burden in an equitable manner or consistent with its obligations as an educational institution,” Bruckno’s complaint says.

Bruckno is seeking damages, prejudgment interest, restitution and disgorgement, injunctive and declaratory relief, attorneys’ fees, court costs, and any other relief deemed appropriate.

She also demands a jury trial.

Do you think Tufts University should provide refunds for coronavirus-related class changes? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

The plaintiff is represented by herself; Christopher M. Lefebvre of Consumer & Family Law Center of Claude F. Lefebvre & Christopher M. Lefebvre PC; Yvette Golan of The Golan Firm; and James A. Francis, John Soumilas, David A. Searles and Edward H. Skipton of Francis Mailman Soumilas PC. 

The Tufts University Class Action Lawsuit is Carmen Bruckno, et al. v. Tufts University, Case No. 1:20-cv-11940-RWZ, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts.

Coronavirus Lawsuits & Legal Issues

Since the COVID pandemic shut down the country, Top Class Actions has been keeping you up to date on the latest Coronavirus lawsuits and legal issues. 

Coronavirus Complete Lawsuit Guide

We tell you about cash you can claim EVERY WEEK! Sign up for our free newsletter.


One thought on Tufts University Student Files Class Action Lawsuit Seeking COVID-19 Tuition Refund

  1. Crystal Garwood says:

    This shouldn’t be just a college issue. My son is a freshman in highschool in Burlington, IA and the sent me a bill for his tuition, & book fees. The school is not open and he has been an online student since day 1. I should not have to pay this when my husband & I are literally supplying everything he needs from tuition, lunches, tutoring, and pretty much doing their jobs. Why should we have to pay them? For what?

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. By submitting your comment and contact information, you agree to receive marketing emails from Top Class Actions regarding this and/or similar lawsuits or settlements, and/or to be contacted by an attorney or law firm to discuss the details of your potential case at no charge to you if you qualify. Required fields are marked *

Please note: Top Class Actions is not a settlement administrator or law firm. Top Class Actions is a legal news source that reports on class action lawsuits, class action settlements, drug injury lawsuits and product liability lawsuits. Top Class Actions does not process claims and we cannot advise you on the status of any class action settlement claim. You must contact the settlement administrator or your attorney for any updates regarding your claim status, claim form or questions about when payments are expected to be mailed out.