Policy on Auditing Courses for Persons Who are At Least 65 Years Old

I. Purpose. N.C. Gen. Stat. § 115B-2.2 (hereinafter G.S.), requires that the University of North Carolina Board of Governors adopt a policy permitting any person who is at least 65 years old to audit courses offered without payment of any required registration fee or tuition.

II. Eligibility Requirements

A. A senior auditor is any person who is:

1. At least 65 years old as of the start of the applicable term; and

2. A North Carolina resident, as determined by the institution, may audit courses at any University of North Carolina constituent institution.

B. Senior auditors must be in good standing with the institution of higher education[1] and must not have any financial holds on any institutional accounts.

C. The constituent institutions may require senior auditors to provide documentation necessary to prove eligibility, for example, proof of age and residence through a driver’s license, state identification card, or other government-issued document. While senior auditors must have domicile in North Carolina, they do not need to be “residents for tuition purposes” as defined in G.S. 116-143.1(b), and do not need to seek a determination through the Residency Determination Service (RDS).

D. A constituent institution may prohibit a senior auditor from auditing courses if it determines that the auditor poses a threat to the health and safety of the campus community. In making such a determination, constituent institutions may make reasonable and appropriate inquiries into the senior auditor’s criminal and school disciplinary background. Such inquiries may include a criminal background check, with the senior auditor’s consent.

III. Course Availability. Senior auditors shall be allowed to audit courses only if there is space available after regularly enrolled students are placed. Audit requests will be accepted according to the institutional calendar of registration dates and will be processed after the institution can confirm space will be available in the requested course. Registration will be held until such time as space available can be determined by the institution.

IV. Course Standards. Senior auditors must comply with all current constituent institution course audit policies. Senior auditors shall be held to the same performance standards set by the institution and instructor for similarly classified students, including meeting course prerequisites and other applicable course restrictions.

V. Types of Courses Covered and Exempted. Auditing of courses under this policy is permitted only in lecture-based courses and not in courses that require laboratories, studios, or performances. Auditing is not permitted in online distance education courses, independent studies courses, internships, special topics, or other special courses as outlined in institutional policies.

VI. Academic and Conduct Requirements. Senior auditors are expected to comply with the institution’s academic and student conduct policies, rules and regulations. Failure to adhere to these rules and regulations may lead to dismissal from the audited course(s) or other sanctions, including prohibition from campus.

VII. Fees. Constituent institutions may not charge senior auditors application or registration fees. Senior auditors will be required to pay for all associated course material fees and books. Several student-fee generated services, such as use of an institution’s student recreation center, could be limited or require an additional cost.

VIII. Funding. Senior auditors shall not be counted in the calculation of enrollment for funding purposes.

IX. North Carolina Immunization Requirements. Senior auditors will need to comply with the immunization requirements required under G.S. 130A-155.1, as well as any applicable institutional immunization policy requirements.

X. Other Matters

A. Effective Date. The requirements of this policy shall be effective on the date of its adoption by the Board of Governors.

B. Relation to Federal and State Laws. The foregoing policy as adopted by the Board of Governors is meant to supplement, and does not purport to supplant or modify, those statutory enactments which may govern or relate to the subject matter of this policy.

C. Regulations and Guidelines. This policy shall be implemented and applied in accordance with such regulations and guidelines as may be adopted from time to time by the president.