A class action lawsuit has been filed against Colorado State University demanding refunds of student fees for services that can no longer be used in the ways initially promised because of coronavirus closures.

The lawsuit filed over the weekend against Colorado State University's Board of Governors alleges student fees paid separate from tuition fund things students no longer have access to now that instruction and operations are remote and on-campus facilities are largely closed.

Not providing those services as promised is a violation of the contract agreed to by the university and students when students pay their tuition and fees, the lawsuit alleges.

"Normally, if you pay a full amount for services then you expect to get a full amount for those services," said Igor Raykin, the attorney representing the CSU student who filed the suit.

A similar lawsuit was also filed against the University of Colorado over the weekend.

"We don't blame CU or CSU for what's going on," Raykin said. "In fact, I think they've behaved swiftly and responsibly. But realities right now make it impossible to provide the services (initially promised)."

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In moving all courses and operations online, CSU has also closed the campus recreation center, campus building, canceled on-campus events, and students no longer have access to campus technology and computers, the lawsuit said.

Student fees generally fund those things and more, and not providing them to the extent the university originally promised is a violation of the contract between students and the university, the lawsuit said.

The student who filed the lawsuit, Renee Alderman, paid $867.71 in student fees for the spring semester, according to the lawsuit.

Alderman said they are pursuing this lawsuit on behalf of all CSU students.

"As students, we connect and build relationships with our teachers and classmates, we brainstorm and generate creativity in the physical presence of others, and we come together as a community that builds a sense of purpose and belonging," Alderman said in a statement to the Coloradoan. "Colorado State has refused to refund any of our student fees or tuition, and as the voice of the campus, we need to do our very best to ensure that the value of CSU students is honored."

Raykin said they are asking for "basic fairness," not a full refund of tuition and fees. With many students unemployed and struggling right now, a prorated refund of a few hundred dollars could really help.

"CSU is in a good position to do right by these students," he said.

While the university doesn't comment on pending litigation, spokesperson Mike Hooker said a March 30 letter to the campus community from provost Rick Miranda addresses many of these concerns.

"Please know that it is not less expensive for the university to make this shift to remote learning to ensure we continue to serve you and our mission of access and academic excellence," Miranda said in his letter. "... Any cost-savings that we might have had as a result of not using our instructional buildings are more than offset by providing the infrastructure to go online, virtually overnight."

The university also continues to offer many of the student fee-funded programs through online or remote platforms, like fitness classes through the campus recreation center and continued support for students from offices including the career center and student legal services.

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Many employees working in student fee-funded areas are continuing to be paid during the coronavirus closures, including the more than 330 student employees at the campus recreation center, according to the university website.

Prior to filing the lawsuit, a petition for CSU to partially refund student fees gained more than 1,800 signatures. CSU continued to deny refunds, which Raykin said forced the student to file a lawsuit as the "last resort."

CSU, along with many other Colorado universities, announced all classes would take place remotely for the remainder of the semester, beginning in March. A few dining and residence halls remain open for students who needed to stay on campus, but all other campus buildings are closed aside from essential activity and research.

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Sady Swanson covers crime, courts, public safety and more throughout Northern Colorado. You can send your story ideas to her at sswanson@coloradoan.com or on Twitter at @sadyswan. Support our work and local journalism with a digital subscription at Coloradoan.com/subscribe.