In Addition To All-Virtual Classes, Rutgers Cuts Fees 15 Percent

NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ — On Thursday, Rutgers announced there will be a 15 percent reduction in campus fees for the 2020 fall semester, which translates to a savings of about $300 for most undergrads this fall.

This comes after Rutgers first announced that the fall semester will remain mostly virtual, with most dorms closed and nearly all classes offered online only, and not in person.

As a result, students will not have to pay housing fees or for an on-campus meal plan. But they still must pay full regular tuition and fees, which at Rutgers is about $15,000 for an in-state student and $31,000 for an out-of-state student.

That prompted a massive outcry from students: 28,000 people signed this petition started by Rutgers student Shreya Patel, a rising business major senior from Old Bridge, asking Rutgers to reduce tuition and fees for the fall.

According to Patel, online-only learning means "we are not receiving the same learning experience and having access to all the resources we normally would. Remote learning (is not) a substitute for in-class learning and other on-campus services. What we pay for as part of our tuition is to be taught by a professor in a class setting where we can actively engage, ask questions and interact with our peers."

New Rutgers president Jonathan Holloway appears to have heard Patel's request.

"Over the past week I have heard from many people in our community with thoughtful questions about tuition and fees for the fall semester," said Holloway on Thursday. "I have considered their input and today I am announcing a temporary reduction in fees for our students."

The 15 percent reduction will apply to what is called the “campus fee” for the fall semester. For full-time undergraduate students, it will translate to at least a $300 reduction in their fall 2020 bill.

It will only apply to the fall semester; whether the spring 2021 semester will be in person remains to be determined by the school.

That campus fee goes to pay for university operations, such as the RU library and student services.

Rutgers is expecting a budget shortfall of $160 million for the 2020-2021 fiscal year due to COVID-19 and the national response.

Rutgers usually raises tuition by a small percentage every year, but announced it will not be doing so for 2020/21. Holloway just took the helm as Rutgers president July 1. He is taking a 10 percent pay cut from his $780,000 yearly salary "in the spirit of shared sacrifice that this moment requires," he said. He also personally donated $75,000 to a grant program for Rutgers' most economically at-risk students.

Initial Patch report: Rutgers To Be Mostly Virtual This Fall; Dorms 'Extremely Limited'

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