WATCH LIVE: Pat Kelsey to be introduced as coach for Louisville Cardinals men's basketball
LOCAL

Student sues University of Kentucky for tuition and fees refund after classes moved online

Associated Press

LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) — A student sued the University of Kentucky this week, arguing the college should have partially refunded some tuition and fees after classes were moved online and most students were sent home during the coronavirus pandemic.

The lawsuit was filed on behalf of student Peter Regard in Fayette Circuit Court on Monday, the Lexington Herald-Leader reported.

The suit seeks partial refunds for tuition and mandatory fees, which usually go toward campus services and university facilities such as labs, gyms and recreational facilities, as well as some student organizations, the newspaper said.

The university collected more than $20 million in such fees for the spring semester, according to the lawsuit, which contended that the money should have been partially refunded after online learning began in Mid-March and on-campus services were no longer available.

Related:As Gov. Beshear reopens businesses, University of Kentucky takes it slow

More:Kanye West offers to pay legal fees for Breonna Taylor's family versus LMPD

Regard’s attorney is also seeking class-action status for all students who were enrolled at the university this spring.

The university had not received the lawsuit as of Wednesday, spokesperson Jay Blanton told the Herald-Leader. He added that the school did not issue refunds because instruction continued remotely, and some fees were used for resources that remained available to students even after most of the campus closed.

“UK will vigorously defend its position in this matter,” the newspaper quoted Blanton as saying.

The lawsuit follows similar actions by students at more than 25 universities across the country.