Oklahoma City University has announced it will be refunding some students by May 4 for a portion of their housing and dining costs in response to changes due to COVID-19.
On March 27, the OCU communications office sent out an email alerting students that they would be receiving refunds equivalent to the portion of the semester that campus will be closed.
Kevin Windholz, vice president for enrollment management and university communications, was part of the decision-making team in charge of the refund. Windholz said he was responsible for doing research to decide the specifics of the refund.
“The research that I was doing behind the scenes, that wasn’t about whether we’d do it or not. Honestly, I think it was something that we knew from the very beginning, that we were going to do. Because first of all, it’s the right thing to do,” Windholz said.
After a refund plan was made, it was sent to President Martha Burger and the Board of Trustees, who ultimately approved it. After the plan was approved, students were alerted via email.
Dayton Drummonds, film sophomore, said while he was disappointed with the closing of campus, he appreciates the university’s decision to refund students.
“I’m glad that we are being refunded for it, for the time not being spent on campus. It’s not ideal, but I guess it’s the best we can get at this time,” Drummonds said.
In the email on March 27, the communications office said refunds will be sent by direct deposit to students who have bank accounts on file in their student accounts. Students who do not will have the money put directly in their student account. They can also add bank account information via a direct deposit form. Students can fill out the form and follow its instructions to submit it via BlueLink.
Housing costs for students on campus range from $2,175 to $4,625 per semester, depending on housing location and room layout, with meal plan costs ranging from approximately $175 per semester for the cheapest commuter plan, to $2,750 per semester for the most expensive residential plan. Refunds will be based on what each respective student has already paid and calculated from the remaining time in the semester.
Students with negative balances due to other charges with OCU will have the refund initially used to pay back these balances. If additional funds are left over, they will be sent to the student. Students who have housing and dining paid for through scholarships will not be eligible for the refund, along with students who have not paid dining and housing fees due to living off campus.
Windholz said students should look to the email for any official information regarding refunds.
More information about university policy regarding the coronavirus outbreak can be found on the school’s coronavirus page.
Students with questions can contact financial aid through their email, studentaccounts@okcu.edu.
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