Students Sue Universities In North Carolina For Tuition

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — College students in North Carolina are suing universities in hopes of getting reimbursements for tuition and fees after campuses shut down and moved classes online during the coronavirus pandemic.

The University of North Carolina System, including UNC Charlotte, began remote instruction on March 23rd due to the coronavirus.

The Raleigh News & Observer reported Tuesday that the institutions that are being sued include schools in the University of North Carolina system such as East Carolina University, UNC Charlotte, UNC Asheville and UNC Wilmington are among the listed schools who filed complaints on Monday.

According to officials, tuition and fees at UNC Charlotte are about $3,500 for North Carolina residents and about $10,000 for out of state students per semester.

Students say in the lawsuits that universities made the right decision to shutdown classes. But they claim that they were deprived of a college experience that includes in-person instruction, access to campus facilities and student activities.

East Carolina University and UNC-Asheville said they are aware of the complaint and declined to comment on pending litigation. UNC System spokesman Josh Ellis and a UNC-Charlotte spokesperson also declined to comment.

The UNC System has started to distribute prorated reimbursements for unused housing and dining services.