Jin-Wolfson v. Lafayette College, Civil Action No. 5:23-cv-04005-JMG
United States District Court, Eastern District of Pennsylvania
If you were a student enrolled at Lafayette College (“Lafayette”) during the Spring 2020 semester whose payment obligation of tuition and/or fees was satisfied for the Spring 2020 semester, and were enrolled in at least one in-person on-campus class as of March 16, 2020, you may be eligible to receive a payment as part of a proposed settlement of Jin-Wolfson v. Lafayette College, Civil Action No. 5:23-cv-4005 (E.D. Pa.) (the “Action”).
In this Action, Plaintiff alleged Lafayette breached a contract when it transitioned to remote learning in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Plaintiff also alleged that Lafayette’s shift to remote learning gave rise to a claim of unjust enrichment. Plaintiff sought a refund of a portion of the tuition and mandatory fees for the Spring 2020 semester. Lafayette denies all allegations of wrongdoing. There has been no finding of liability in any court. However, considering the interest of both Lafayette and the Settlement Class Members in prompt resolution of the matter, Lafayette and Plaintiff have agreed that Lafayette will pay $456,750 into a Settlement Fund to resolve the Action, and will provide five (5) complimentary tickets to regular season Lafayette basketball (men’s or women’s) or football games on Lafayette’s campus, to be used between July 1, 2026 and June 30, 2027, and subject to certain other conditions set forth in the Settlement Agreement.
If you were a student enrolled at Lafayette during the Spring 2020 semester whose payment obligation of tuition and/or fees was satisfied for the Spring 2020 semester, and were enrolled in at least one in-person on-campus class as of March 16, 2020, then you may be part of the proposed settlement class (a “Settlement Class Member”). you are part of the proposed settlement class (a “Potential Settlement Class Member”). If you are a Potential Settlement Class Member, you do not have to do anything to participate in and receive the benefits of the proposed Settlement.
Your Settlement Benefit, in the form of a paper check, will be sent automatically by first class U.S. Mail to your permanent mailing address currently on file with Lafayette. Class Members will also have the option to either: (a) provide an updated address for sending a check (by clicking here); or (b) elect to receive the Settlement Benefit by Venmo or PayPal instead of via a paper check (by clicking here). This action must be taken no later than forty-five (45) days after the Effective Date (as defined in the proposed Settlement Agreement). That date will also be posted on this Website when it is confirmed, and will be at some time after the Final Approval Hearing currently scheduled for July 31, 2025.
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 Lafayette’s transition to remote learning in the Spring 2020 semester, or joining any other action against Lafayette related to Lafayette’s transition to remote learning in the Spring 2020 semester.
If you do not want to participate in this proposed Settlement— meaning you do not want to receive the Settlement Benefit or Non-Cash Benefit, and you do not want to be bound by any judgment entered in this case—you may exclude yourself by mailing a signed opt-out request to the Settlement Administrator, which must be postmarked no later than June 23, 2025. (Be aware that the statute of limitations may impact your ability to file your own lawsuit.) If you instead want to object to this proposed Settlement because you think it is not fair, adequate, or reasonable, you may submit an objection, which must be postmarked no later than June 23, 2025. Please follow the detailed instructions outlined in the Long Form Notice and the Settlement Agreement to properly opt-out from, or object to, the proposed Settlement.
The Court has preliminarily approved the proposed Settlement, but the distribution of payments will occur only if the Court grants final approval of the proposed Settlement. The Final Approval Hearing in this case is scheduled for July 31, 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) an award to the Settlement Class Representative for her service in this litigation; and (2) Class Counsel’s requested attorneys’ fees, which will not exceed thirty-three and one-third percent (33.3%) of the Settlement Fund and will be posted on the Settlement Website after June 9, 2025, and reimbursement for their litigation costs.
You are encouraged to review the Long Form Notice.
If you have any questions, you can contact the Settlement Administrator or Class Counsel.
PLEASE DO NOT CONTACT THE COURT OR LAFAYETTE CONCERNING THIS NOTICE OR THE PROPOSED SETTLEMENT.