University Daily Update - March 27

Rockhurst University Companions,

We have now completed two weeks of virtual coursework and, for many of us, nearly our first week of the stay-at-home mandate. The entire Rockhurst University leadership team would like to sincerely thank all of you for your helpful feedback, positive comments and willingness to engage so fully with our now virtual Rockhurst University community. We hope today’s message will bring you comfort and joy – comfort from the student refund information, joy from a tulip photo shot today and both from Fr. Curran’s Friday video. Photo courtesy of Jason Riordan, ’05, associate vice president for facilities operations.

Student Refund Information

With the sudden transition to virtual learning and the need to move away from campus, we know this semester is not going as you had hoped. We have worked to make things as smooth as possible and to see to it that everyone is made aware of the many resources available to assist you. We thank you for your patience as we have worked through the details of a plan to refund the unused portions of your tuition and fees. The following information will be helpful as you plan for your refund.

Students who were living on campus will receive a 50% refund of their spring semester room charges. Students on meal plans will receive a 50% refund of their unused spring semester meal plan charges. Unused spring semester flex dollars will be refunded in full.

All students who purchased a parking permit will receive a $60 refund of their spring semester parking fee. All students will receive a 10% refund of their spring semester University fee and a 20% refund of their spring semester Student Activity fee.

Students may have their Cost of Attendance (a figure used in the calculation of financial aid) adjusted to reflect these refunds. This may also affect some students’ institutional financial aid. Students with grant and scholarship aid, from all sources, that exceeds the costs of tuition and standard fees may have their aid adjusted, which may reduce their refund. Students on a full scholarship (including room and board) are ineligible for a refund. Resident assistants and others receiving financial aid to support housing or meal plan costs will have their financial aid adjusted and are also ineligible for a refund.

All refunds will first be applied to outstanding account balances. Any remaining amounts resulting in a credit on the student’s account will be refunded via check. More information on the refund process will be communicated next week. Students can expect to receive their refund check no later than April 30.

NOTE: To ensure refund checks are received in a timely manner, students should make sure the university has their current mailing address which can be updated in Rockweb.

NOTE: Students on a payment plan should make their scheduled April 1 payment – payment plan adjustments resulting from the above refunds will be effective for May 1 payments.

Mindful of the additional stress this disruption has placed on our students, student workers (Federal Work Study and non-Federal work study) will be paid for their scheduled hours between March 16 and May 8. Please allow up to four weeks for these payments to be processed and received via direct deposit or paycard replenishment.

For those wishing to support our students who are facing unexpected expenses due to the coronavirus, please consider giving to the Rockhurst “Love in Action” Emergency Fund. Students needing assistance can learn more here.

Mission Moment(s)

• The Kansas City Jesuit community is now livestreaming Mass at 5:15 p.m. Monday-Friday and 10:30 a.m. Sunday. Virtual congregants are asked to attend “live” if at all possible, and videos will only be available until midnight each day. Today, Friday, March 27, Rockhurst President the Rev. Thomas B. Curran, S.J., will celebrate the Mass.
• Fr. Curran has produced the next installment in his Friday video series, meant to provide you with hope and comfort. Simply click here.