NOTICE OF PROPOSED CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT
Vigliano v. Gettysburg College, Civil Action No. 1:24-cv-437 (M.D. Pa.)
If you were an undergraduate student enrolled at Gettysburg College (“Gettysburg” or “College”) during the Spring 2020 semester, satisfied your tuition payment obligation, and were registered for at least one in-person class for the Spring 2020 semester, you may be eligible to receive a payment as part of a proposed settlement.
If you are a Settlement Class Member, you do not have to do anything to participate in and receive the benefits of the proposed Settlement.
In this Action, Plaintiff alleged Gettysburg breached a contract when it transitioned to remote learning in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Plaintiff also alleged that Gettysburg’s shift to remote learning gave rise to a claim of unjust enrichment. Plaintiff sought a refund of a portion of the tuition for the Spring 2020 semester. Gettysburg denies all allegations of wrongdoing, and there has been no finding of liability in any court. However, considering the interest of both Gettysburg and its students in prompt resolution of the matter, Gettysburg and Plaintiff have agreed that Gettysburg will pay $735,000 into a Settlement Fund to resolve the Action, and will provide the option to receive one complimentary registration for one Gettysburg Reunion Weekend.
If you were an undergraduate student enrolled at Gettysburg College during the Spring 2020 semester, have satisfied your tuition payment obligation, and were registered for at least one in-person class for the Spring 2020 semester; then you may be part of the proposed settlement class (a “Settlement Class Member”). If you are a Settlement Class Member, you do not have to do anything to participate in and receive the cash benefits of the proposed Settlement. You must submit an Election Form to receive the Non-Cash Benefit.
Your payment will be sent automatically by first class U.S. Mail to your last known permanent mailing address on file with Gettysburg. Class Members will also have the option to click the Election Form tab on this website and use the Class Member code and PIN number provided in their Notice, to choose one or more of the following selections: (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; or (c) select the Non-Cash Benefit. This action 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 the Settlement Website when it is known, but it will be some time after the Final Approval Hearing, currently scheduled for JULY 17, 2025.
If you do not want to participate in this proposed Settlement— meaning you do not want to receive the Settlement Benefit or Non-Cash Benefit, and you do not want to be bound by any judgment entered in this case—you may exclude yourself by mailing a signed opt-out request to the Settlement Administrator, which must be postmarked no later than JUNE 9, 2025. Be aware that the statute of limitations may impact your ability to file a lawsuit. If you instead want to object to this proposed Settlement because you think it is not fair, adequate, or reasonable, you may submit an objection, which also must be postmarked no later than June 9, 2025.
Please follow the detailed instructions outlined in the Long Form Notice and the Settlement Agreement to properly opt-out from, or object to, the proposed Settlement.
The Court has preliminarily approved the proposed Settlement, but the distribution of payments will occur only if the Court grants final approval of the proposed Settlement. The Final Approval Hearing in this case is scheduled for JULY 17, 2025. At that hearing, the Court will consider whether to grant final approval of the proposed Settlement, and whether to approve payment from the Settlement Fund of: (1) an award to the Settlement Class Representative for his service in this litigation; and (2) Class Counsel’s requested attorneys’ fees, which will not exceed thirty-three and one-third percent of the Settlement Fund and will be posted on the Settlement Website after MAY 23, 2025, and reimbursement for litigation costs
To review the Long Form Notice, review other important documents, including the Settlement Agreement, and obtain more information about the proposed Settlement please click on the appropriate tabs at the top of this page.
PLEASE DO NOT CONTACT THE COURT OR GETTYSBURG CONCERNING THIS NOTICE OR THE PROPOSED SETTLEMENT.