NORTH CAROLINA GENERAL ASSEMBLY

1975 SESSION

CHAPTER 606

HOUSE BILL 892

AN ACT AUTHORIZING STATE-SUPPORTED INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION, COMMUNITY COLLEGES, INDUSTRIAL EDUCATION CENTERS AND TECHNICAL INSTITUTES TO PERMIT NORTH CAROLINA RESIDENTS AT LEAST SIXTY-FIVE YEARS OF AGE TO ATTEND CLASSES ON A SPACE AVAILABLE BASIS WITHOUT PAYMENT OF TUITION.

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

Section 1.  As used in this act, "tuition" shall mean the amount charged for registering for a credit hour of instruction and shall not be construed to mean any other fees or charges or costs of text books.

Sec. 2.  State-supported institutions of higher education, community colleges, industrial education centers and technical institutes, are hereby authorized to permit legal residents of North Carolina who have attained the age of 65 to attend classes for credit or noncredit purposes on a space available basis without the required payment of tuition; provided, however, that such persons meet admission and other standards deemed appropriate by the educational institution.

Sec. 3.  The Board of Governors of the University of North Carolina and the State Board of Education shall each, with respect to the institutions governed by it, promulgate rules and regulations necessary for the implementation of the provisions of this act.

Sec. 4.  Persons attending classes under the provisions of this act, on a space available basis without payment of tuition, shall not be counted in the computation of enrollment for funding purposes.

Sec. 5.  The officials of such institutions charged with administration of this act may require such proof as they deem necessary to insure that the person applying to the institution is eligible for the benefits provided by this act.

Sec. 6.  Any applicant who wilfully misrepresents his eligibility for the tuition benefits provided under this act, or any person who knowingly aids or abets such applicant in misrepresenting his eligibility for such benefits, shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, shall be fined not more than fifty dollars ($50.00) or imprisoned for not more than 30 days, or both.

Sec. 7.  This act shall take effect upon ratification.

In the General Assembly read three times and ratified, this the 16th day of June, 1975.