Civil Action No. 2:24-cv-01001 (E.D. Pa.)
If you were a student enrolled at Widener University (“Widener”) during the Spring 2020 semester whose payment obligation of tuition and/or fees was satisfied for the Spring 2020 semester, and were enrolled in at least one in-person on-campus class during the Spring 2020 semester, then you are part of the proposed settlement class (a “Potential Settlement Class Member”) affected by this lawsuit.
The case is captioned Sparacino v. Widener University, Civil Action No. 2:24-cv-01001 (E.D. Pa.) (the “Action”). In this Action, Plaintiff alleged Widener breached a contract or was unjustly enriched when it transitioned to remote learning in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Widener denies all allegations of wrongdoing. There has been no finding of liability in any court. However, considering the interest of both Widener and the Settlement Class Members in prompt resolution of the matter, Widener and Plaintiff have agreed that Widener will pay $800,000 into a Settlement Fund to resolve the Action. The Parties have also agreed to a Non-Cash Benefit of five (5) complimentary tickets to regular season Widener athletic (men’s or women’s) events on Widener’s campus to be used between July 1, 2026 and June 30, 2027, subject to the conditions contained in the Settlement Agreement, as well as access to Widener’s Pride Recreation Center at no cost between July 1, 2026 and June 30, 2027.
If you were a student enrolled at Widener during the Spring 2020 semester whose payment obligation of tuition and/or fees was satisfied for the Spring 2020 semester, and were enrolled in at least one in-person on-campus class during the Spring 2020 semester, then you qualify as a Potential Settlement Class Member.
If the Court approves the settlement, your Settlement Benefit, in the form of a paper check, will be sent by first class U.S. Mail to your permanent mailing address currently on file with Widener. 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 June 30, 2026.
If you are a Settlement Class Member, you have the following options:
| YOUR OPTIONS | INSTRUCTIONS |
| 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 College. Class Members will also have the option (but are not required) to (a) provide an updated address to which a check will be mailed; or (b) elect to receive the Settlement Benefit by Venmo or PayPal instead of via paper check by submitting an Election Form. |
| EXCLUDE YOURSELF (“OPT OUT”) FROM THE PROPOSED SETTLEMENT POSTMARKED NO LATER THAN MAY 26, 2026 | 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. If you opt out, you will not receive a payment and you will keep any individual claims you may have against Widener relating to the transition to remote learning in the Spring 2020 semester. (However, the statute of limitations may impact your ability to file your own lawsuit.) For more detailed opt-out instructions, see Answer 11 of the Long Form Notice. |
| OBJECT TO THE PROPOSED SETTLEMENT AND/OR REQUEST FOR ATTORNEYS’ FEES POSTMARKED NO LATER THAN MAY 26, 2026 | You can file an objection with the Court explaining why you believe the Court should reject the proposed Settlement or the request for attorney’s fees by Class Counsel. 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. |
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 June 30, 2026. At this hearing, the Court will consider whether the proposed Settlement is fair, reasonable, and adequate. If any 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.