HOUSTON – Anna Seballos paid $24,165 in tuition to attend Rice last Spring. Now, she’s suing the university, claiming Rice did not refund her tuition even though it canceled in-person classes.
On behalf of herself and all others similarly situated, Seballos filed suit against William Marsh Rice University on Jan. 11 in the U.S. District Court for Southern Texas.
“This is a class action lawsuit on behalf of all persons who paid tuition … to attend Rice for in person hands-on educational services … for the semesters or terms affected by (COVID-19) and had their course work moved to online only learning,” the suit states. “Rice has not refunded any amount of the tuition or any of the Mandatory Fees, even though it canceled in-person classes.”
Seballos is accusing Rice of breach of contract.
“The language on Rice’s website, Catalogs, and in other materials made available to students promising in-person instruction, campus facilities, services, and resources became terms of the contract,” the suit states. “That is, at the time of contract, the parties had the reasonable expectation that, in exchange for tuition and fee payments, Defendant would provide Plaintiff and Class members with an on-campus education.
“Defendant’s failure to provide in-person instruction and shutdown of campus facilities amounts to a material breach of the contract.”
Seballos is seeking compensatory damages.
The Edwards Law Group represents her.