NYU Is Latest NYC School Sued For Coronavirus Tuition Refund

WEST VILLAGE, MANHATTAN — A New York University art student's mom is the latest to take demands for tuition refunds during the coronavirus pandemic to the courts, according to a lawsuit filed Friday.

Christina Rynasko — whose daughter Emily is a student at NYU Tisch School of the Arts — has filed a $5-million class-action lawsuit against the school arguing that their shift to online classes during the coronavirus pandemic is not worth the $36,000 in tuition and fees she paid for the semester.

It is the latest suit claiming that New York City universities are breaching contracts with students by shutting down campuses, but not giving money back for the lack of university services and in-person classes. Similar suits were filed against Columbia University, Fordham University and Pace University last week.

"The online learning options being offered to NYU students are subpar in practically every aspect, from the lack of facilities, materials, and access to faculty," Rynasko's lawsuit reads.

"...This is particularly true for students like Ms. Rynasko’s daughter, Emily, who is a musical theater major, because she cannot undertake required performances or partake of the facilities necessary to perform."

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Rynasko's lawsuit, like those at other schools, was filed on behalf of all students who paid tuition for the spring semester at New York University, where tuition costs as much as $42,000 per semester depending on the program.

It follows a petition calling for refunds specifically against Tisch Art School that has been signed by nearly 5,o00 students.

The demand from art students made headlines last month when Tisch Dean Allyson Green responded to student's emails about tuition with a bizarre video of herself dancing to "Losing My Religion."

New York University said Tuesday that they plan to defend the class-action lawsuit, which a spokesperson called "unwarranted and ill-advised."

"The reality is that in the face of an unprecedented, world-altering pandemic, NYU has continued to fulfill its mission and meet its responsibility to ensure the educational progress of its students," John Beckman said. "Faculty continue to teach, and continue to be fully paid; students continue to have class with their faculty; student work is evaluated; academic credit is appropriately awarded; and students will graduate."

New York University stopped holding in-person classes on March 10 and eventually asked all its students to leave the Manhattan campus by March 22, according to the suit.

The university has so far given out meal and housing refunds, which they say cost $60 million, and reimbursed some fees, according to their website.

A lawyer for Rynasko did not immediately return a request for comment.

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