My University hates me

[theatre_girl79]

Monday I received a letter from the Financial Aid Office that denied me my student loan and MAP grant (monies that I received last semester), without telling me they denied me. Tonight I got a letter from Admissions and Records stating that my May 2010 graduation request is denied. Apparently I owe one section of science for my Gen-Eds (the Chemistry class I got an incomplete in last semester and am finishing up this semester), I did not complete my major and minor (I owe ONE CREDIT HOUR of practicum, which I am taking this semester, otherwise the department has signed off on both), and am taking electives in my major/minor (they are JUST electives, not for the major/minor), I did not take the English Competency Exam (Again.. this semester), and after that I will still owe them FOUR credit hours.

Then I go onto the student portal to check my transcripts and that is blocked because I apparently owe the University library $171.00. EXCUSE ME? That I can figure out, I have three books that were due WHILE I WAS IN THE HOSPITAL that I just found. Even then it does not cost that much to replace three books! This is not helping! I know where the books are, but have not been able to hobble to the library.

I want to graduate and be done with the University. I was SO CLOSE! I have been attending this University off and on since 1997. I want to move on with my life, why won't they let me go? My academic advisor, myself and even some friends pored over my transcripts and everything else, and I DID NOT owe any extra credit hours, especially not FOUR!

I feel so lost now. What's the point of trying to graduate? They'll never take their claws out of me.

Comments

[holliemke.livejournal.com]

Right now you're frustrated and feel helpless.

When you're ready, you have to research your rights, your right to appeal and find out what you need to deal with each step. Often, if credit requirements have changed, the ones from all the years you attended are options to you but the program the university uses to compute may not be flexible enough to figure out which one fits you best.

The library thing should be easily dealt with. return the books, ask to speak to a supervisor and find out what she needs to accomodate your special circumstances.

Grants and financial aid are far less understanding. However, an in person appointment will get you further. Ask for a meeting, bring a letter from your doc and your department and anything you have, and ask for a review.

Finally, go to dean of students or whoever the equivalent is and ask what can be done and bring whatever information has been gathered.

Good luck.

[huskyfriends.livejournal.com]

Trying to calm down. I was bawling earlier. Did I also forget to mention that they should have gotten this to me at the end of last semester? They said I turned it in late because they mailed my application back to me because I was missing my minor form. MINORS ARE NOT REQUIRED anymore.

[xenutia1.livejournal.com]

I don't understand how the University system works, especially not in the US, but I DO know that sucks. **HUG** The only thing I can say is I thought libraries were meant to waive overdue fees in the case of a medical emergency? Well, I mean, mine always did . . . there's no way they should be charging you for that.

[huskyfriends.livejournal.com]

At least the library thing should be cleared up this weekend, so the system should be reset by the end of next week. I will be using the medical excuse. No three books should cost that much.

**HUG back**

I had been watching lovely PBS (Burn in a 1960's suit, the boy that played "Adam" as his brother, Jane Seymour, and one of the leads from Bleak House). and was about to do writing and homework when this brought my world crashing down. I know my academic advisor has my back, Anna is our "theatre Mom."

*sigh* What a week...

[knitchick1979.livejournal.com]

Yeah NEIU is seriously the devil. DON'T GIVE UP! Then Satan wins!

I'd start with an "EXCUSE ME? You are LATE in getting this back to me! Follow your own fucking rules!" and escalate to a "I WAS IN THE FUCKING HOSPITAL!" and "Either graduate me or you'll be stuck with me forever. FOREVER."

I really really REALLY want to blow up the admins there. I want to pull a Buffy so bad it isn't funny. This is RIDICULOUS!

[huskyfriends.livejournal.com]

You saw my transcripts over the summer, I only needed 11 credit hours! And now the lateness of them as well...

I am mentally exhausted by them.

My University hates me

[booksavvy.livejournal.com]

I second hollimke about the library books. While it seems a bit uncalled for that they should be charging replacement fees that early to begin with, go to the library (or call) and ask to speak to the office manager or the person in charge of billing or fees. Explain that you have the books and what happened and that should work with you.

To be honest, they just want the books back and sometimes it takes a patron seeing how much they actually cost (price of book + processing + salary to pay the cataloging... Etc) to get people to return stuff.

These things happen all the time at our library and our Office Manager will always try to work it out with people. The nicer you are, the more likely they are to help :)

I can't say the same for financial aid and registrar people. They seem to always be jerks ;)

::hug:: Good luck!

Re: My University hates me

[huskyfriends.livejournal.com]

Thank you for the hugs. **HUG**

ACen was supposed to be so fun being a week after graduating. I guess not now. This changes how everything was mapped out for the year, at least that's how it feels. *Sigh*

I don't feel like doing anything at the moment.

[faithharkness.livejournal.com]

*pets* However, having worked in a University library, I can tell you that if you return the books, they usually wipe out the replacement fine (which, actually $170 for three books is cheap--our U charged at least 75 a pop) and usually you just have an overdue fee--ours as $15 per book. Hope that helps!!

[huskyfriends.livejournal.com]

*sigh* yeah, but this was really quick to start adding in replacement fees, not even a notice or email about "hey, do you know you still have this?"

They won't even be open until tomorrow, maybe, with Lincoln's Birthday (State of Illinois here) and stuff. Just, why must things be os difficult?

[pockychopstix.livejournal.com]

The offer to bite ankles still stands...