In my message yesterday I tried to stress the obligations you have as citizen leaders in the midst of this global pandemic. Today I write to share how Longwood is trying hard to do right by you – at a time when I know many of you are struggling with uncertainty for yourselves and your families.
Your professors are working night and day to provide the kind of teaching, mentoring and personal connection that are so special here, even at a distance.
Someday soon enough, we will get to celebrate being back on campus. In the meantime, we want to help with the financial burden families are facing, and provide housing and dining refunds as best we can. We know no solution is perfect, and that individual circumstances vary. But we’ve worked hard to develop a plan that’s 1) clear 2) as fair as possible and 3) we can deliver as soon as possible. That’s important because we know many of you are facing challenges now. The Lancer family is all in this together.
Here is what we are doing:
- Student workers will continue to be paid through the customary close of the semester, May 9. Graduate assistants will also continue to be paid through May 9. We’ll be in touch about how hours will be reported the rest of the semester. We know that this is money you depend on.
- Students with a Longwood housing and dining plan will each be paid a refund of $1,000.
- Students with a commuter Longwood dining plan for the spring will each be paid a refund of $300.
These refunds will be paid in two installments: one half of the total by check to your permanent mailing address in the next 30 days; and the second half in a payment this July.
We think this straightforward and equal approach is what’s fairest to our whole community, and will help you and your families as we all work together through this challenging time.
Please direct questions to: questions@longwood.edu
Sincerely,
Dr. P.
Dr. Tim James Pierson
Vice President for Student Affairs