Case No. 2:23-cv-03746 (E.D. Pa.)
If you were a student enrolled at Drexel during the Spring 2020 term and any of your payment obligation of tuition
and/or fees for the term was satisfied, then you are part of the proposed settlement class
(a “Settlement Class Member”) affected by this lawsuit.
The case is captioned Deller v. Drexel University, Case No. 2:23-cv-03746 (E.D. Pa.) (the “Action”). In this Action, Plaintiff Joshua Deller alleged Drexel breached a contract or was unjustly enriched when it transitioned to remote learning in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Drexel denies all allegations of wrongdoing and there has been no finding of liability in any court. However, considering the interest of both Drexel and its students in prompt resolution of the matter, Drexel and Plaintiff have agreed that Drexel will pay $2,200,000.00 into a Settlement Fund to resolve the Action.
If you were a student enrolled at Drexel during the Spring 2020 term and any of your payment obligation of tuition and/or fees for that term were satisfied, then you potentially qualify as a Settlement Class Member. Students whose tuition and fees were fully funded by Drexel are not members of the Potential Settlement Class.
If the Court approves the settlement, your Settlement Benefit, in the form of a paper check, will be sent automatically by first class U.S. Mail to your last known personal 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 the Settlement Benefit by Venmo or PayPal instead of a paper check by submitting an Election Form. These actions must be taken no later than forty-five (45) days after the Effective Date, as defined in the proposed Settlement. That date will also be posted on this Settlement Website when it is known, but it will be some time after the Final Approval Hearing currently scheduled for August 5, 2026.
If you are a Settlement Class Member, you have the following options:
| YOUR LEGAL RIGHTS AND OPTIONS IN THIS SETTLEMENT | ||
| YOUR OPTIONS | INSTRUCTIONS | DUE DATE |
| DO NOTHING AND AUTOMATICALLY RECEIVE A PAYMENT | Your payment will be sent automatically by first class U.S. Mail to your last known permanent mailing address on file with the University Registrar. Class Members will also have the option, but are not required, to choose one of the following selections by submitting an Election Form: (a) provide an updated address for sending a check; or (b) elect to receive the Settlement Benefit by Venmo or PayPal instead of a paper check. | See Answer 7 of the Long Form Notice for more information |
| EXCLUDE YOURSELF FROM THE PROPOSED SETTLEMENT | 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 Drexel relating to the transition to remote learning in the Spring 2020 term. Be aware that the statute of limitations may impact your ability to file a lawsuit. For more detailed opt-out instructions, see Answer 11 of the Long Form Notice for more information. | Postmarked no later than June 25, 2026 |
| OBJECT TO THE PROPOSED SETTLEMENT | 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, see Answer 12 of the Long Form Notice for more information. | Postmarked no later than June 25, 2026 |
These 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.
At this time, the Court has already reviewed and decided to grant preliminary approval of the proposed Settlement, after which notice was disseminated to Potential Settlement Class Members. The Court will make a final decision regarding the proposed Settlement at a Final Approval Hearing, which is currently scheduled for August 5, 2026. At this hearing, the Court will consider whether the proposed Settlement is fair, reasonable, and adequate. If objections have been properly submitted, the Court will consider them. The Court may also decide how much to award Class Counsel for attorneys’ fees and litigation costs and the amount of the award to the Settlement Class Representative.
Please continue to visit this website for Settlement updates.