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IWU, ISU Take Financial Hits From Pandemic

Illinois Wesleyan University is expected to lose more than $1 million in room and board reimbursements after moving classes to online instruction because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Like most colleges and universities in the country, Illinois Wesleyan University is reimbursing a portion of student room and board fees because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

IWU moved classes online for the rest of the semester and sent most students back to their home communities to more easily practice social distancing than in crowded dorms. 

“We will realize some extra expenses undoubtedly,” IWU President Georgia Nugent said. “Perhaps, chief among those is the refunds for room and board that were prorated for our students who are no longer living on campus.”

Nugent said IWU is refunding about $1 million to students for room and board, adding that university officials hope a majority of the reimbursement will be covered by federal assistance.

Previously, Illinois State University President Larry Dietz said the university is taking about a $15 million hit to reimburse students for unused room and board through the end of the academic year. He said ISU would rely on reserves and may make other adjustments to cover the return of room and board fees.

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Darnysha Mitchell is an Illinois State University student and reporting and social media intern at WGLT.
WGLT Senior Reporter Charlie Schlenker has spent more than three award-winning decades in radio. He lives in Normal with his family.
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