Hickey et al. v. University of Pittsburgh
Civil Action No. 2:20-cv-690-WSS (W.D. Pa.)
If you were a student who enrolled in at least one in-person course during the Spring 2020 Semester at the University of Pittsburgh (“Pitt”) and any of its branch locations but had your course(s) moved to remote learning as a result of the COVD-19 Pandemic, you may be eligible to receive a payment as part of a proposed Settlement(the “Action”), if the settlement is approved by the Court.
In this Action, Plaintiffs alleged that Pitt’s move to remote learning during the Spring 2020 semester required Pitt to issue a partial refund to its students of the tuition and the Mandatory Fees students were obligated to pay for the semester because Pitt breached the contract which existed between it and its students to provide an on-campus learning experience, or alternatively, because Pitt was unjustly enriched. Pitt denies all allegations of wrongdoing and there has been no finding of liability in any court. However, considering the interest of both Pitt and its students in a resolution of the matter, Pitt and Plaintiffs have agreed that Pitt will pay $7,850,000 into a Settlement Fund to resolve the Action.
If you were enrolled in at least one in-person course during the Spring 2020 semester at Pitt or any of its branch locations and had your course(s) moved to remote learning as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, then you are a “Settlement Class Member.” If you are a Settlement Class Member, you do not have to do anything to participate in and receive the benefits of the proposed Settlement if it is approved by the Court.
If the Court approves the settlement, your payment will be sent automatically by first class U.S. Mail to your last known permanent mailing address on file with Pitt. You may also: (a) provide an updated address for sending a check; or (b) elect to receive your Settlement Benefit by Venmo or PayPal instead of a paper check (by submitting the election form here). If you decide to do either, you must do so no later than forty-five (45) days after the Effective Date of the settlement, which is not known yet, but will be some time after the Final Approval Hearing currently scheduled for July 28, 2025. The date will be posted to this Settlement Website, when it is known.
If you are a member of the Settlement Class, you have the following options:
| YOUR LEGAL RIGHTS AND OPTIONS IN THIS SETTLEMENT | |
| DO NOTHING AND AUTOMATICALLY RECEIVE A PAYMENT | If the Settlement is approved by the Court, your payment will be sent automatically by first class U.S. Mail to your last known permanent mailing address on file with Pitt. You may also: (a) provide an updated address for sending a check; or (b) elect to receive your Settlement Benefit by Venmo or PayPal instead of a paper check (by submitting the election form here). By participating in the proposed Settlement, you release your right to bring any claim covered by the proposed Settlement, including bringing any claim related to Pitt’s transition to remote learning in the Spring 2020 semester, or joining any other action against Pitt related to Pitt’s transition to remote learning in the Spring 2020 semester. |
| EXCLUDE YOURSELF FROM THE PROPOSED SETTLEMENT POSTMARKED NO LATER THAN JULY 14, 2025 |
You can choose to “opt out” of the proposed Settlement. Opting out means that you choose not to participate in the proposed Settlement. It also means that you cannot object to the proposed Settlement. If you opt out, you will not receive a payment from the Settlement and you will keep any individual claims you may have against Pitt relating to the transition to remote learning in the Spring 2020 semester. Be aware, the statute of limitations may impact your ability to file a lawsuit. For more detailed opt-out instructions, review the Long Form Notice. |
| OBJECT TO THE PROPOSED SETTLEMENT POSTMARKED NO LATER THAN JULY 14, 2025 |
You can file an objection with the Court explaining why you believe the Court should not approve the proposed Settlement and/or want to object to any attorneys’ fees or expenses, or Contribution Awards for the Settlement Class Representatives, you may submit an objection. If your objection is overruled by the Court and the proposed Settlement is approved, then you would receive your Settlement Benefit. If the Court agrees with your objection, then the proposed Settlement may not be approved. If you choose to object, you may not also opt out of the proposed Settlement, as only participating Settlement Class Members may submit an objection. For more detailed objection instructions, review the Long Form Notice. |
These rights and options —and the deadlines to exercise them— along with the material terms of the proposed Settlement are explained further in the Long Form Notice.
The Court has preliminarily approved the proposed Settlement, but the distribution of payments will occur only if and after the Court grants final approval of the proposed Settlement. The Final Approval Hearing in this case is scheduled for July 28, 2025. At that hearing, the Court will consider whether to grant final approval of the proposed Settlement, and whether to approve payment from the Settlement Fund of: (1) awards to the Settlement Class Representatives of $5,000 each for their contributions to this litigation; and (2) Class Counsel’s request for attorneys’ fees, which will not exceed thirty-three and one-third percent of the Settlement Fund and request for reimbursement of reasonable expenses. The motion for approval of these attorneys’ fees and expenses will be posted on the Settlement Website on June 30, 2025. Please continue to visit this website for Settlement updates.