When given the choice between hearing the good or bad news first, I usually ask to hear the bad news first. That way when the good news is given, it will hopefully soften the blow of the bad news or eliminate the sting altogether.

So the bad news first. This was news I actually received over 6 months ago, when I showed up at my university, after trying unsuccessfully to get my diploma through the mail. On that day I was told that the reason requests went unanswered was due to a stop on my record. The stop was placed there because there were 3 classes I needed to complete from my last semester at school.

So my reaction: Impossible, I completed all my coursework. It turns out, after waiting for 3 hrs to meet with the Chair of the English Dept., that my professor died before he was able to turn in the semester grades for classes. I was extremely upset on 2 counts! First, that my life was unfairly being turned upside down, as a result of external circumstances, for something that was totally out of my control. Second, that the man who inspired me to pursue a Master's degree in English, and later reccommended me for the English Doctoral Program at CUNY's Graduate Center, had died so abruptly, sadly and alone. Since then, I've been filing academic and other appeals so that I could do the coursework without having to attend classes. Why, my job right now is to fulfill my responsibilities as a single-mom.

Late Friday I learned that my last appeal had been denied. Which in essence means that since I was in an accelerated combined BA/MA Honors program, and since the courses I had been taking were to complete both my undergrad & grad requirements, I would remain without degrees until I re-enrolled, paid back the scholarship money I was given to take those classes in the first place, then pay over $5,000 in tuition fees to take the new classes, successfully complete the damned courses, and then refile for accreditation to see if I am then eligible to graduate with the combined BA/MA degree. That just sucks bigtime!

One of the suggestions I was given by one of the administrators was for me to put my child in daycare (till 9:00pm) 3 nights a week, so that I could quickly finish my degrees in one semester. There were many expletives that were unsaid and will remain unwritten, though the thought of sharing it (full force) with them was very tempting. To say that I'm angry is to do my rage an injustice. I have been considering my next steps, but I felt that I needed to sit, vent, think, evaluate and then decide on the best course of action, after consulting a lawyer.

As for the good news... the first is that my son did extremely well in his scholastic test, which means that we have 4 schools from which to choose. The second is that I received an offer for the job I really wanted. Yay on those two counts, and on the third... I can finally stop interviewing! So it took me a total of 9 weeks from when I started making phone calls, to when I'm supposed to be starting the new job. I'm both happy and relieved, though it still doesn't take away from the anger and frustration I've been feeling since Friday over my educational situation. Grrrrr! I do a slow, intense burn everytime I think of it. I think I need to pray for peace of mind and a viable solution.

Posted by: Michele at 12:01 AM | Comments (10) | Add Comment
Post contains 614 words, total size 3 kb.

1 Hip Hip Horray!!! You got the job you wanted! I am so happy to hear that. I am also very happy to hear your son has so many options. That is not good news about your degree. It just doesn't make sense that they are not working with you considering the circumstances.

Posted by: vw bug at June 02, 2005 06:48 AM (V4mW3)

2 Yea for you! Yea for your cutie son! Boo, hiss at the University. Sounds like they know you are right but they sense they can make some money off of this. It might be wise to contact other students of the professor to see what they have done. Also contact a lawyer.

Posted by: Machelle at June 02, 2005 08:43 AM (ZAyoW)

3 Yay!! - Focus on the good.

Posted by: _Jon at June 02, 2005 08:56 AM (ewFgD)

4 Wow, the university thing sucks. I have never heard of anything like that happening anywhere else. I'm sorry you have to go through that. Congrats on your kid. Sounds like you have one sharp minded lad. Watch out for them, they are the ones that can cause the most trouble.

Posted by: Contagion at June 02, 2005 09:02 AM (Q5WxB)

5 I'm with Machelle on this one - contact a lawyer! If you've completed the coursework you should get the credit - that's on their shoulders it doesn't matter if the professor died. You shouldn't have to repay money AND retake the classes!!! ARG - this kind of stuff just pisses me off big time! Anyhow... major congrats on getting the job! And big hugs for your little guy for doing so well on the tests so he has a choice of schools.

Posted by: Teresa at June 02, 2005 09:16 PM (nAfYo)

6 whoo hoo! I'm excited about the job and your boy! You have made so many right choices to get you where you are. As for the university thing, I am speechless. And angry. Puzzled. Horrified. Blech.

Posted by: Boudicca at June 02, 2005 09:45 PM (z7nbM)

7 Congrats on the job and your son! That other business, though.... something isn't right there. Lawyer time, definitely.

Posted by: That 1 Guy at June 03, 2005 12:07 AM (lopGJ)

8 Yay for the good news!!! I'm really happy to hear about the job and the school! I have been checking in periodically, hoping for some good news there. As for the school, I don't know what your options are. And I am in attorney, admitted to practice in NY. I sort of think that any lawyer you contact will require some bucks upfront just to cover the time and research needed to see if you have a claim. Something to keep in mind.

Posted by: RP at June 03, 2005 11:46 AM (LlPKh)

9 I guess I should stop complaining about my issues with Rutgers. The RU screw, as it is called, doesn't seem so bad now. At least I got my degree. Nine weeks? Wow! I have been dealing with one of my potential employers (a university, no less) since the end of March. Their slowness at getting around to things is frustrating. So don't give up! But congrats on the job and I hope things work out well.

Posted by: Charles at June 03, 2005 08:54 PM (ufu0n)

10 I would think there would have to be other students that were effected by the professor's demise. Maybe you could find out who they were and attack together...???

Posted by: TNT at June 05, 2005 09:56 PM (ubhj8)

Hide Comments | Add Comment