Anthony Fertitta: Friends and Family Request Tuition Refund

A day of light hearted fun quickly turned sour at this year’s St. Patrick’s Day parade in Boston, Ma.  Plymouth State Student, Anthony Fertitta, was victim to a horrific act of violence, as he was stabbed through the temple when a minor altercation turned sour. 

Suffering brain hemorrhaging, Anthony, will have to endure many surgeries, in addition to speech and motor function therapy.  Now in the ICU of Mass general hospital making improvements every day, his medical expenses continue to rise and the University refuses to refund his tuition.  

Since its creation only 16 ago, the GoFundMe page for Anthony has raised $19,597.00 by over 300 different people ranging from areas all over New England. The page is covered with well wishes from family, friends, classmates and community members. The impact he has made on this school is evident with the often repeated statements praising Mr. Fertitta’s outgoing and positive out look on life. 

Because of his injury, it has become difficult for Anthony to participate in class this semester. Given this, a petition on change.org was organized in hopes that the school would refund his tuition for the Spring 2015 semester. In 6 days, the petition has soared receiving over 1,950 signatures from various people urging the school to refund Mr. Fretitta’s tuition to help cover his medical costs.

According to Mr. Fretitta’s Father, the school originally refused to refund the tuition based on the fact that Anthony had missed the “Drop out date.” This petition was created in an attempt to show the school just how the students faculty and community feels about this issue given Anthony’s contributions to the community here at Plymouth State.  

Refunding his tuition for this semester would be an immense help to the family as medical expenses begin to pile up and only threaten to get larger with the treatment and rehabilitation ahead. “I understand the purpose of this policy but the school should also be understanding in special circumstances like this. Anthony would rather be anywhere else besides a hospital bed but unfortunately that is the situation he is in.” Said Mr. Fretitta’s Father. 

Students on Change.org also shared their reasoning behind supporting their classmate.  Micheal Dundon, a friend of Anthony had this to say “I graduated High School with Anthony and now both attend PSU. He is a great kid who is looking to help everyone he can and always can put a smile on your face. Someone who physically cannot attend class should not be required to pay, he should be refunded.”

 PSU Alumni, Tyler Annicelli left an equally powerful message for the school, “If a student is unable to attend due to an injury, especially one that does make the school liable, then he should not have to pay tuition along with his medical bills. If PSU fails to recognize this unfair and financially crippling policy, then I'm not proud to call myself a PSU alum.”

Plymouth State has always strived to support those both within and outside of our close-knit community on campus. Ut prosim (That I may serve) are the words that embody the culture, climate and ideals of this university and it is exemplified here once again by  students, faculty and alum aiming to help a fellow member of the community. We here at The Clock wish Mr. Fretitta a speedy recovery from these tragic injuries.