Fees refunded to UH students

University of Hawaii-West Oahu students will be issued $64 refunds for fees the university said it charged for nonexistent services.

The fees, collected last fall, were for transportation, technology and health services.

The university said in a news release this week it’s unclear how many refunds will be issued because staff members still need to review payment records of the 2,400 enrolled students to determine who is eligible. It said students in good standing who directly paid the fees will receive a refund.

UH said the school is now working to establish the services the fees were intended to support.

"This unusual situation in which approved fees were charged for services before the services existed arose as UHWO staff and student government were working to establish completely new student services at the brand new UHWO campus," the university said in a statement.

A proposed bill introduced by Senate President Donna Mercado Kim would prohibit UH from imposing fees for services not available to students "at the time the fees are charged." Senate Bill 2280 has yet to be scheduled for a hearing.