To those who may not know, I'm a lab assistant working at my school's computer lab. In order to keep that job, I have to be a student at the school.

However, recently, I was withdrawn from my only class for an "attendance policy violation". That is, I didn't post on the discussion board of this online class.

To be fair, the instructor did give me a warning email about this, but I read it the day after the time limit expired. Why might this have been hard for me? Well, I am taking 5 classes at 4 different schools, with 4 different school email accounts. I wouldn't have to have so many schools if the school here didn't offer the classes I needed EVER. I'm serious. They have never offered this class that I needed so I had to take that online at another school. Then they strong-armed me on the math class, so I had to go to ANOTHER school. Then my university classes.

I make a call to the instructor and she says only the dean can handle that. So here's the plea I make:



Then ushered this reply:



That's it. It's as if she didn't even read the email.

I've sent another one, practically begging, but I predict nothing will change.

And with that, I have no job.

You should make a case out of it.

I've never heard of a class or professor "withdrawing" a student. I've heard of classes and professors failing students for violating an attendance policy and I've heard of students choosing to withdrawal to avoid failing but how can they choose that you are no longer in the class?

At any rate good luck. It would have been nice if your dean said more, but it seemed like the dean read it, is unsympathetic and/or dogmatic in their approach and addressed it. What was it you were hoping he or she would say?

Damn, I had no idea it was that bad. I'll be there for you, Ixz.

Are you serious?

I was hoping you didn't misunderstand what I meant. First let me say that I am very sympathetic, I truly am. But you said it as though the dean didn't read your letter and it seemed to me that the dean did read your letter and addressed it but you didn't like the policy (not reversing an attendance related issue) so you say it as though the dean didn't read it at all. What I meant to say is is there anything further the dean could say to make you believe he or she read it while still maintaining his or her position? If I am being (or appear to be) sympathetic, I'll withdrawal my comments/question.

The least s/he could have done was explained to him why it wasn't going to be changed.

THIS is the kind of sh*t you can come to expect from a facility that manages more money than any of us will ever see in our lives. You'd think that giving them so much money as to put us in debt for the next 20 years, they'd be a bit more hospitable, merciful, understanding, moral, ect.

That's just f*cked up.

@Bo, this.

S/he did. That's my point. S/he will not reverse an instructor based on an attendance violation. The issue that you appealed is due to you violating attendance and the instructor taking action. What more is there to explain?

Now I admit, s/he doesn't seem sympathetic and she does seem dogmatic and I alluded to this much but s/he stated her policy and it seems the policy she stated it pertinent to the situation you presented (as you admit that you did violate the attendance policy). Are you asking he/r to explain why she won't break her policy for you specifically? In that case it would seem that the answer is because she doesn't break her policy for anyone in this instance.

Now if s/he did break her policy for someone else before than I can see you saying "well why do it for them and not for me" but if s/he has never broken that policy before then the answer is that s/he believes the policy is the right thing to enforce, s/he doesn't take exception, and s/he believes it is pertinent to the case at hand.

EDIT: I want you to note Ixzion that I do not in any way discourage you from taking any action you feel important or appropriate. I fully support your decision to attempt to continue to solicit more of an explanation as long as it is done in a respectable way (it seems that is what you are doing and I wouldn't expect anything less from you). Good luck.

I'm not gonna even take the time.

so far in my short stint as a collage student ive come to realize just how ineffectual some of these institutions are. ive seen some pretty bad administration, poor teacher policies, and horribly run services. curt emails from the dean are not uncommon, i received the same when i complained about a teachers practice on behalf of my class.

a bit more explanation would of been nice, perhaps some sympathy considering your marks, your job performance, and that you replied to the email a day late only. a shame the decision wouldnt be overturned, perhaps this is a good time to get a new job.

i say f*ck them, get your services elsewhere. when i finished my obligation i cut all ties with my school and use a different one for any additional courses i need.

Ixzion,

In your defense, I know that you said that you received the email and read it too late (thus assuming responsibility) but is there anything more the instructor could have or should have done? Why didn't she notify you of this when you first took the course day one (or is this what you are talking about?). Was she required to send you more than one email, etc. If there is ANYTHING else the instructor could have done I wouldn't necessarily assume full responsibility or give up just yet.

Also, I'm still suspicious how an instructor can withdrawl you. Fail you yes, withdrawal, never heard of it. Maybe they should have made this possibility (withdrawl versus fail) more clear.

politely inform the dean that you would like to be reinstated in the class or you must ask for a refund of the class's fee, and if it is not received forthwith, legal representation on your part will be acquired to obtain it. In addition, tell them that you know of SEVERAL local media outlets that would LOVE to hear this little story.

Then see if they play ball.