UNCC students will have to pay same fees for online courses come fall

CHARLOTTE — UNC Charlotte student Dick Beekman recently received his course schedule for fall 2020. He said he feels lucky because only two classes are online.

"I feel a lot of sympathy for students who signed leases, only to have the majority, if not all the classes, switched online," Beekman told Channel 9.

Classes in the fall are either in-person, hybrid (half in the classroom, half online), or some courses are being moved online entirely.

The university sent a letter to students saying their tuition and fee charges are based on the type of program, not how it’s delivered. That’s not sitting right with many students like Beekman.

"For the school to charge students a service that they are not receiving, is in my opinion, unethical and wrong," said Beekman.

For example, students who are taking all online classes are still being charged fees for things like transportation and health services even though they won't physically be on campus.

Beekman said for students who pay in-state tuition, online courses or distance education should be $2,000 less than in-person courses. He said costs should be around $3,000 less for out-of-state students.

Student Government Association member Jacob Baum, said, “When you force half the student body to take online classes, there’s no reason for students to pay thousands and thousands of dollars to live in Charlotte when they can live at home.”

Baum said student leaders plan to pass legislation Thursday to show the university they disagree with how things are planned for the fall.

UNCC said tuition and fees are based on direction provided by the UNC system. Final decisions regarding course delivery will not be finalized until July. Options are still being added, and the university expects to add more face-to-face courses.

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