Van Treeck v. Robert Morris University,
Civil Action No. GD-24-927 (Pa. Ct. Com. Pl., Allegheny Cty)
If you were a student enrolled at Robert Morris University during the Spring 2020 Semester, who satisfied their payment obligations to Robert Morris University for tuition and/or mandatory fees for the Spring 2020, you may be eligible to receive a payment as part of a proposed Settlement, if the settlement is approved by the Court.
The case is captioned Van Treeck v. Robert Morris University, Civil Action No. GD-24-927 (Pa. Ct. Com. Pl., Allegheny Cty.) (the “Action”). In this Action, Plaintiff alleged RMU breached a contract when it transitioned to remote learning in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Plaintiff also alleged that RMU’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. RMU denies all allegations of wrongdoing and there has been no finding of liability in any court. However, considering the interests of both RMU and its students in prompt resolution of the matter, RMU and Plaintiff have agreed that RMU will pay $947,784 into a Settlement Fund to resolve the Action.
If you were a student enrolled at RMU during the Spring 2020 semester; satisfied your payment obligation of tuition and/or mandatory fees to RMU for the Spring 2020 semester; and were enrolled for the Spring 2020 semester in at least one class that was meeting in person and on campus at the beginning of the Spring 2020 semester; then you are part of the proposed settlement class (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 the Court approves the settlement, your payment will be sent automatically by first class U.S. Mail to your last known mailing address on file with the University Registrar. 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 February 23, 2026. 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 OPTIONS | INSTRUCTIONS |
| 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 mailing address on file with the University Registrar. 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. For more detailed information, review Answer 7(a), of the Long Form Notice. |
| EXCLUDE YOURSELF FROM THE PROPOSED SETTLEMENT POSTMARKED NO LATER THAN JANUARY 19, 2026 |
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 (see below). If you opt out, you will not receive a payment and you will keep any individual claims you may have against RMU relating to the transition to remote learning in the Spring 2020 semester. Be aware that the statute of limitations may impact your ability to file a claim. For more detailed opt-out instructions, review Answer 11, of the Long Form Notice. |
| OBJECT TO THE PROPOSED SETTLEMENT POSTMARKED NO LATER THAN JANUARY 19, 2026 |
You can file an objection with the Court explaining why you believe the Court should reject the proposed Settlement. If your objection is overruled by the Court and the proposed Settlement is approved, then you would be included in the Settlement Class. 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 class members may object to a proposed Settlement. For more detailed objection instructions, review Answer 12 of the Long Form Notice. |
Your 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 the Court grants final approval of the proposed Settlement. The Final Approval Hearing in this case is scheduled for February 23, 2026. 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 of the Settlement Fund and will be posted on the Settlement Website after January 5, 2026, and reimbursement for litigation costs.
Please continue to visit this website for Settlement updates.