Lawsuit filed against UNCC for refunds related to switch to remote learning

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A class-action lawsuit has been filed against the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, the UNC System and the Board of Governors of UNC for refunds related to switching to remote learning.

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The lawsuit was brought after the school system switched to online learning because of the ongoing coronavirus crisis.

According to the lawsuit, the plaintiff claims by closing campus and switching to online learning, they were deprived of the benefits of in-person instruction, activities and facilities that were already paid for through tuition and fees.

Schools have already given or are in the process of giving refunds for things like housing, parking and food.

But the lawsuit claims, the university “refused and continue to refuse to offer any pro-rated tuition discounts as a result of moving classes online.”

Brady Allen, a finance student at UNCC is going to school online like many others.

“I would have made the same the decision to close things down and put us under online classes, however that doesn’t mean that the financial implications are the same,” he said.

The lawsuit is looking to get refunds for the plaintiff as well as for the other members of the classes on a pro-rated base, along with other damages.

Troy Willey, the attorney who filed the class-action lawsuit, said a refund could mean thousands of dollars per student from universities.

“We’re looking at each school on a very individualized basis ... what decisions individuals schools are making and are those decisions fair for their students,” Willey said.

The lawsuit doesn’t list an exact amount, but it could be millions across the UNC System.

“I think it would be financial injustice for us not to get some of that money back,” Allen said.

Allen and his attorney are hoping for a ruling in their favor before the fall semester.

Similar lawsuits were also filed against UNC Wilmington, UNC Asheville and East Carolina University.

Some UNCC instructors move curriculum from classes to virtual instruction Some UNCC instructors move curriculum from classes to virtual instruction

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