I recently read a letter to the editor that disparaged Tom Murry’s support for North Carolina’s university system, specifically tuition costs. From my own experience with Tom Murry’s office, that couldn’t be further from the truth.

I’ve been a North Carolina resident since 1963. My daughter, born and raised in North Carolina, graduated from UNC-Chapel Hill in 2010 and then spent the next 18 months volunteering at an orphanage in Mexico. She went on a tourist visa and came home periodically to honor her visa requirements, and, we thought, to maintain her residency.

This fall, she started graduate school, and UNC immediately classified her as a nonresident. We were told everyone admitted to grad school is considered a nonresident until the student submits documentation to prove residency.

We submitted documentation, including copies of a few years of federal tax returns to prove I was a resident and she was my dependent. The school made an error when reviewing this documentation and still classified her as a nonresident. Further, they wanted the tuition bill paid.

Somewhat exasperated, we contacted Tom Murry’s office for help. Within a week, his staff had contacted UNC, and the school reversed its decision. Tom Murry’s intervention lowered my daughter’s tuition bill significantly.

My family appreciates Mr. Murry’s intervention for us to cut through the bureaucratic nonsense. His responsiveness and effectiveness have earned our support.

Bob Winslow

Cary