Dear Howard University Community,

I write today to provide you with an update on how the University is working to support and provide relief to our students, faculty, and staff through this unprecedented public health crisis. 

As you know, my paramount responsibility—to protect the health and safety of our students, faculty, and staff—resulted in the difficult but necessary decision to close academic buildings and the residence and dining halls. Many of the realities that our students, faculty and staff are facing due to the COVID-19 outbreak are heart-wrenching and have become guiding force behind our decision-making. As a result, my leadership team made it a priority to support our students who could not afford or were otherwise unable to return to their homes, such as our international students. The University quickly acquired housing in apartments at the University’s expense. We also covered the expenses for students who didn’t have the resources to get home so abruptly. We acquired tablet devices to assist students in need who did not have the proper resources to take classes in a remote environment from home. Additionally, we have supported faculty and staff with online instruction training and provided technological equipment to faculty and staff who identified a need. I am thankful to our board of trustees and alumni who have generously stepped in with contributions to support these efforts. 

Howard University is committed to working with our various institutional partners in consideration of any potential pro-rated refunds for room and board charges and other fees like parking. We understand the significant financial and academic disruptions everyone has experienced due to the COVID-19 crisis both globally and within our Howard University community. 

Like many individuals and families around the nation, our beloved University is faced with adversely impacted financial circumstances compared to three short weeks ago. Yet, in moments like this it is critical that we remain focused on our core values of excellence, leadership, truth and service, and make decisions that recognize the need for shared sacrifice to advance our communal good.    

Therefore, I am announcing the following updates: 

• Room and board charges will be reduced by 30 percent and refunded to eligible students no later than the end of April 2020. 
• The “Graduation Fee” will be refunded to graduating seniors.
• Fees for student activities, parking, and labs will be returned to all students on a pro-rated basis no later than the end of April 2020.   
• Faculty and staff deductions for on-campus parking will be suspended in future paychecks until further notice and we will continue to explore the best and most responsible ways to support our colleagues through this emergency.  

The housing refund policy will apply to students who were housed in Towers, College Halls East and West, Drew Hall, Cook Hall, Tubman Quadrangle, and Bethune Annex during the Spring 2020 semester. Because “The Axis” is managed as an apartment building and residents have signed contracts that are not limited to a single semester, residents have not been required to vacate their apartments and therefore are not eligible for refunds. Any students placed in “The Axis” due to overflow and who have not signed a lease contract are eligible for refunds.

The University will determine refund eligibility on a student-by-student basis as follows:

1. If the student has an outstanding balance for room and board charges that is less than the student’s Spring Semester outstanding balance, the student is ineligible for a refund. Any excess credit will be refunded to the student.
2. As institutional aid is a reduction of charges, it is not refundable. If a student received institutional aid, the pro-rated amount will be withheld from the refund. Any excess credit will be refunded to the student.

We are looking at each student’s specific situation and additional instructions will follow to ensure that your direct deposit account is set up in the Banner student information system to process the refund. 

We recognize that this is a stressful and challenging time for our community. We are fortunate to be in a supportive environment rooted in the spirit of service. We understand that there may be some students that need financial assistance or have questions about this process. Please submit those inquiries to StudentAffairs@howard.eduand we will respond as quickly as possible. Additionally, please bookmark and refer to our Coronavirus Updates pagefor the most up-to-date information about campus services and ongoing developments. 

Although this global pandemic has challenged each of us and various ways, I am very grateful for the underlying sense of empathy and compassion that many within the Bison community have demonstrated to help our fellow brothers and sisters during this time of crisis. Thank you for your patience, thoughtful suggestions and most importantly, for your understanding as we work diligently to ensure the safety and well-being of the Howard University community while continuing to provide an excellent learning experience that our students expect and deserve.  

We are living in difficult times and there will surely be other challenges to come as we manage the University’s financial landscape.  However, despite the odds, I know that we will rise to the occasion and conquer this challenge together. We are Bison Strong!  Let’s continue to practice self-distancing for the good of our greater community and I’d like to encourage everyone to consider how we can help our neighbors even as we remain concerned and vigilant in protecting our own health and safety. 

Excellence in Truth and Service,

Wayne A. I. Frederick, M.D., MBA
President