Ames Today

An Iowa State University student has started a petition demanding that student charges on the university’s online billing program be waived for the spring 2020 semester because of COVID-19-related student job losses.

Maximilian Vymetal, a senior in agricultural studies and horticulture, directed the online petition to university President Wendy Wintersteen and seven others who included Mark Braun, executive director of the Iowa Board of Regents. Vymetal created the petition March 20.

As of April 1, 2,955 people signed the petition, which has a goal of 5,000.

Created on behalf of the “citizens of the Ames community, students and staff at Iowa State University, and parents,” the petition demanded that the university waive student U-Bill balances for the spring 2020 semester.

Iowa State University presents students their charges – including tuition, fees, meal plans and residence hall – on the U-Bill, which is short for “University Bill."

“Furthermore, we demand that Iowa State University use the funds previously allocated to student workers, and distribute paychecks to each and every student worker that has been displaced as a result of the partial campus shut down due to the COVID-19 isolation,” the petition said. “Thousands of students rely on work study, experiential education opportunities, and TA positions to make rent and pay their bills. We are calling on Iowa State University to recognize the financial hardship and instability students are facing and give them the pay that they are owed. We recognize that isolation due to the COVID-19 virus has led to unprecedented temporary layoffs and financial instability to student staff across campus. In order to compensate for the loss of income, we are calling on Iowa State University to forgive outstanding balances and immediately lift account holds from the Accounts Receivables office.”

University courses have been moved online for the semester, according to Facebook.

The university announced on March 30 that refunds for students due to the COVID-19 will include refunds for residence hall contracts, dining, parking and study abroad. Students won’t receive refunds for tuition and mandatory fees, according to Iowa State University’s website.