NC legislature passes a bill protecting universities from COVID-19 tuition refunds – The News & Observer
The North Carolina legislature passed a bill Thursday that provides immunity for colleges and universities for legal claims related to COVID-19 closures for the 2020 spring semester. The law protects the several universities that have been sued by students after classes moved online this spring.
That includes legal complaints demanding tuition and fees refunds for institutions switching to remote classes and shutting down dorms, dining halls and other campus facilities.
Now, colleges and universities are protected as long as their decisions were made to protect the public health, safety, or welfare in response to the coronavirus pandemic and they offered remote learning options for enrolled students that enabled students to complete their coursework.
This new law will apply to universities in the UNC System, community colleges and private universities in the state and all actions taken on or after March 27.
“There are a number of class-action lawsuits that are being filed around the country relevant to COVID-19, and institutions of higher education against tuition and fees,” Rep. John Fraley, a Republican from Mooresville said Wednesday in the House Rules Committee.