I got kicked out of College today

[GingerSnaps]

I had 12 credit hours to go before I completed my degree.

I entered the University with my credits from a junior college and I have been at this university 1 3/4 years and I was due to graduate in October 2004.

I was so close to getting my degree from an Ivy League College and now all of my hope is gone.

The reason that they kicked me out is because I missed two days too many. I have a 4.0 GPA average but I am on disability so some of the days I am too sick to go in. I keep up with all of my homework and tests and the last test that I took I received 200/200 points on one test and 170/200 points on another one.

I can't believe what happened and I am devastated.

I went to the Dean's office and he kept making excuses about a leave of absence that I had taken a few months back that was approved by the College. The College filled out the wrong paper work and when I got back after my leave they told me that I had been dismissed and I fought with them about being told that I could take the leave. They let me back in but they made me sign a paper that I would never miss another class knowing that I go to physical therapy 4 times per week and that I have MS and sometimes I get too sick to come to School.

While I was talking to the Dean he started making me nervous and my nose started pouring blood and blood clots were running down my shirt and pants and the blood wouldn't stop.

He started freaking out asking me what I had done to my nose and I told him nothing and that it was the first time that it happened. I told him that I felt like I was going to have a stroke so he put me in a cab with my blood soaked clothes and gave me $20.00 to get to the hospital.

The Dean told me to come back on Monday and meet with him and the woman that approved my leave of absence.

I am afraid to go back because the hospital had a hard time getting my nose to stop bleeding.


I am devastated and I don't know what to do right now.

[Liberal Veteran]

1. I'd speak to an attorney.

It doesn't sound like you are being treated very well by this school.

[GingerSnaps]

3. They just received my loans

I am paid up for my last few credit hours and I was suppose to graduation with my class in October 2004.

I am so afraid right now.

[Liberal Veteran]

9. First and foremost....don't panic, okay?

I can't assure you that everything will work out in your favor, but don't allow the fear to rule you.

If they screwed up and from your story it sounds like THEY made the mistake, try to stay calm and work with them and don't be afraid.

If that doesn't work, find a phone book and call one after another until you find one willing to help you.

[1monster]

29. Find out if you can force them to keep you in under the Americans with

Disabilities Act. I believe that they have to make accommodations for people with disabilities and if MS doesn't come under that, I don't know what would.

[GingerSnaps]

35. Thank you

How do I get a copy of that act?

[1monster]

43. See post #27. blueraven95 has posted that information for you.

Good luck.

[KBlagburn]

49. 4 Letters.......ACLU

Call the ACLU I am sure they will be more than willing to help. And it should'nt cost you anything.

[kiahzero]

2. Sue.

Americans with Disabilities Act... they can't kick you out because you missed too many days because of an illness.

[Fenris]

5. I second that. Especially if you have pre-paid.

Thay are basically stealing from you.

[GingerSnaps]

24. I won't get a dime back either

The jerk told me not to raise my voice at him but I couldn't help it I was hysterical.

[GingerSnaps]

10. It all started with my leave of absence

The new "witch" that is the head of student affairs signed my leave of absence form stating that I could go out of town. Now she is trying to say that it was a request form and I left too soon. On top of the page that she signed it does not say request form at all.

When I got back 4 weeks later and I went in to my new classes they told me that I was no longer enrolled in the college. I went nuts at that point because they sent back my loans and scholarships.

They reinstated me and laid the blame on me for me not understating that it was a request form to take a leave of absence even though it didn't say "request" on it. They pulled out another form for me to sign that said that I couldn't miss one day at all and I had to get tutoring lessons. I didn't need tutoring lessons I am a 4.0 GPA average student.

I didn't attend tutoring and I missed 2 days last week and they kicked me out. Why would anyone attend tutoring if they didn't need it.

They called me a special needs student that had a learning disability but I don't have a learning disability. I think that they figure that since I am in a wheelchair I am also a person with a learning disability.

[GingerSnaps]

23. I am kind of out of it right now because of the drugs

They gave me a nerve pill at the hospital because I was in hysterics and they had to calm me down.

I was so close to getting my degree so close...

[Radical Activist]

71. Hasn't the Dean heard of ADA?

Its time he be educated. They could sooo easily be sued.

[LoZoccolo]

4. It sounds to me like he wants to keep you.

If he wanted to, he could just say "nope nope that's it don't waste any more of my time", but he is setting up the meeting on Monday for you, so that would seem encouraging to me.

[GingerSnaps]

12. They didn't let me go to my class today

I have classes over the weekend and I can't attend those either.

He sat the appointment up when my nose started gushing blood and I started hemorrhaging and they couldn't get it to stop.

He was accusing me of not being sick and my nose starting pouring blood right away the same time.

[liberalhistorian]

21. See my post below for further advice,

but I repeat that it's important that you get your doctor and others involved with any treatment involved in this matter to verify that you do, indeed, have a medical condition. That's very important.

[GingerSnaps]

30. They have medical letters

They keep ignoring them which gets me pissed.

[BiggJawn]

6. Get a Lawyer.

Don't try to fight this on your own. their turf, their rules, and they'll say that you dug at your nose till it bled and tried to spray them with "Bodily Fluids".

Call Legal Aid. Surely SOMEONE in your town would take your case cheap, if not pro-bono.

[GingerSnaps]

13. They were sitting at the table & I didn't touch my nose

They knew that and he made a joke that it looks like someone punched me in the nose.

[BiggJawn]

61. That's YOUR story.

Yeah, they joked about it then, but when the cheeze gets binding, what was a joking matter will become "assault".

you're young ( I assume) I'm old. I've been screwed till I bled (metaphorically) by people in positions of authority. Listen to me.

You NEED to get somebody to protect your RIGHTS. If you want to throw all that time and money away in a naive belief in the "Inate goodness of Man", OK, just don't come back here crying about how you should have gotten a lawyer after the University fucks you bloody.

[GingerSnaps]

38. They would say that

I aimed that blood right at them and I tried to spray them with it.

[BiggJawn]

62. Now you get it.

I'm trying to help you here, since you asked for our help. If you want to stuff your head in the sand and tell yourself that you're dealing with honourable people here, fine.

I work for a Big-Ten University. Believe me, in situations of student v. University, the U ALWAYS wins.
They have your money. You broke one of their "rules" (arbitrary as it may be) they'll kick you out and keep your money. Repayment is between you and the lenders, not the University's problem.

Dishonest? Yeah, but that's Business in Bush's Murka, and NEVER FORGET..A University exists to make MONEY. How do you thing they pay the president his 7-figure salary and all those professors their 6-figures? Where do you think those buildings come from?

[bluestateguy]

7. I'd consult counsel

Somehow I don't think they are allowed to do this (unless there is something you are not telling us). At the institution where I teach, a student with a disability can only be removed from the university if his/her disability disrupts the other students (i.e. a student with Tourette's shouting "asshole!" in class every 15 minutes) or if the student just flunks out due to bad grades. You are too close to graduation to just take this lying down.

[GingerSnaps]

16. I started shouting today

My grades are excellent and he knew it. What makes it back is that my loans just came in and I am paid in full because I was suppose to graduate.

[GingerSnaps]

39. It's the leave of absense

They approved it and then went back on it after the woman found out that she filled the wrong form out.

[coloradodem2005]

8. That is horrible.

I went into student teaching and the terminated my contract after two weeks because they simply said that I "wasn't ready". I know how you feel. That is a terrible situation to go through. I wish I had some legal recourse, but unfortunately I didn't. But I am so sorry. If you need to talk, please feel free to PM me. :hug:

[GingerSnaps]

41. I appreciate it

I am in so much pain right now due to all of this.

[coloradodem2005]

52. I feel really bad for you.

I would like to help and lend a proverbial shoulder to cry on if that is at all possible. :hug: :hug:

[GingerSnaps]

54. I need one terribly

I have worked so hard for my degree and I was so proud of myself and my world has come crashing down on me and I don't know what to do.

[ringmastery]

57. relax

and speak to an attorney.

Don't panic.

Why are you making this so much more difficult than it needs to be? Talk to an attorney.

Worst case is they won't let you back into school, but you'll end up laughing all the way to the bank when you sue them for millions in violating ADA and your civil rights.

[Dogmudgeon]

11. Relax and review ...

1. Get some sleep.

2. First thing Monday morning, call an attorney specializing in litigating issues pertaining to the civil rights of the disabled.

3. Don't be afraid to go to the hospital if you have to. If ANYONE gives you ANY attitude, note their name and then compose a brief, polite, but pointed letter to the CEO of the hospital.

When life gives you lemons, RAISE HELL.

Good luck!

--bkl

[GingerSnaps]

18. The hospital was on my side

The Doctors and Nurses thought that something wasn't right about not being able to finish in your last semester.

The check attendance every week and they talk about the people that have missed a few days. I missed two days in a row last week and my name came up yesterday and I was dismissed.

[fob]

14. What college has attendence requirements?

I think I had some classes that counted attendence as part of the grade, but basically you were treated as adults. The obligation was on me to be there, not be there, whatever, the class would go on. I paid for the class, no one cared if I was there or not, if I didn't go and couldn't keep up with the work and tests then I could either drop the class or just get a failing grade. If you missed whatever time it was and STILL have a 4.0, the only reason the Dean would need to see you for is to make sure your name is spelled correctly for the Dean's list. There were several classes that had self-study and you only showed up on test days.

I'm not trying to make light of your situation, just that the story as posted is a bit 'off'. Call it wearyoflowpostcountitis on my part.

I wish you success regardless.

[GingerSnaps]

22. These fuckers are counting our days now

It never happened before and some of the classes that I have been in people that made good grades could show up takes tests and turn in homework and pass the class.

A new dean came in and everything has changed now.

You have to call some "bitchy lady" and tell her that you are going to be absent or your not allowed back in class.

[YellowRubberDuckie]

64. OK, that is stupid.

You are adults. Colleges shouldn't have attendence policies like that. Their enrollment will flounder and that stupid bitch will hopefully be out. That's ridiculous. I would have switched colleges a long time ago. Get an attorney. Have them go with you on Monday to the meeting. Have your medical records and the emergency report. And let your attorney speak. Most litigation attorneys don't require money unless you get some. OR do call and speak to the ACLU, the ADA people, anyone who will listen. HAve a friend at a newspaper or a tv station? Get them involved to. Make this college look foolish, and it'll be a lot easier to get them to do the right thing.
Duckie

[Kahuna]

15. Try to calm down. I think after that nose bleed episode, the Dean..

may consider that you may file a suit against the school. I think you are now in the drivers seat. I'm very sorry to hear about your troubles. I think things will work out for you. Try to keep a calm head. I'm sure that you will do what you have to to make sure things work out in your favor.

[liberalhistorian]

17. Check with the school's disability services

department, they should have one. I have both a learning disability and a hearing problem and both of the colleges I attended had a disability services department that worked with me and served as a liasion between my professors, the administrators and me. Go all the way to the head honcho of disability services, but check with them first thing Monday morning, even before your meeting. If the situation is as you say it is, and you're not leaving anything out, the university legally simply cannot do this, especially since you've prepaid and you've done very well academically.

Get your doctor and any other medical professionals you work with to support you as well (physical therapist, etc.); your doctor can medically verify what you've told them. DO NOT LET THEM GET AWAY WITH THIS NO MATTER WHAT! You're too close and you've overcome too much and come too far to give up and let them pull this shit now. You simply may not have time for a lawyer and Legal Aid is usually too swamped to be of much emergency, timely use in this case. And anyway, you want to try to work with the school first, which is why it's important that you involve disability services.

Public schools sometimes try to pull that shit about attendance on seriously and/or chronically ill students that they know simply cannot meet the attendance requirements due to medical reasons (frequent hospital stays for treatments, etc.) even though they're meeting all of the academic requirements.

[GingerSnaps]

42. We don't have a disabilities dept.

I was the disability dept and they would send other disabled people my way if they needed help with homework or a class.

[fishnfla]

19. Um, I think you need a Doctor before you need a Lawyer

it seems to me that a lawyer cant figure out why your nose keeps on bleeding.....have they checked your blood pressure?

Wow, put Edwards on the ticket and everyone starts talking lawsuit.....litigation is thicker than blood in this country anymore?

[Moonbeam_Starlight]

34. Um is it not possible

for him to contact BOTH a doctor and a lawyer or are they mutually exclusive???

[fishnfla]

40. priorities

the operative word is: "before"

One cant sue, one cant graduate, if one is not breathing.

Understand?

[GingerSnaps]

48. I don't want a lawsuit I want my degree

Also, that was the first time that my nose started gushing blood and I don't have high blood pressure.

[thebaghwan]

20. For what it is worth, I am a paralegal and would strongly recommend that

you contact an attorney before you have any other contact with the school officials! Try to get an attorney that works with the disabled.

Do It Now!!!

[GingerSnaps]

50. Thank you

I will call a Lawyer in the morning and leave messages until someone calls me back.

I told the Dean that I would probably be coming back in with a Lawyer and he said that I didn't need to do that and I ended it with "YES I DO".

[Waverley_Hills_Hiker]

25. Ive had some bad experiences, too.prevented my from getting a masters.

Long story short, academia is a corrupt racket., with alot of internal politics and infighting, as well as incompetence.

I have a very bad taste in my mouth from my experiences with college.

[rasputin1952]

26. OK, you are under a lot of pressure, and what happened to your nose...

is called spontaneous epistaxsis. I tis not serious. What happens is, the capilaries and veins in your nose are very close to the surface of the skin. As your B/P went up, due to the stress of the situation, some of them broke, this is not uncommon. Do yourself a favor, get some rest over the weekend, and on Monday, present your case. If you are a 4.0 student, they should be happy to have you graduate with honors.

Take your time, explain your situation. You will be fine. Don't beat yourself up over this, it will all come together. They have rules, but those rules are for those that are marginal students. Your being disabled works in your favor,a nd the fact your grades are so high, your case should be ironclad.

Good luck, I'm sending positive thoughts your way...:)

[GingerSnaps]

28. Blood came out of my nose like it was spraying

After that I had blood clots coming out and it lasted for 1/2 hour and it ruined my clothing.

He kept looking at my grades and telling me how good they were and then he kept going back to the leave of absence that I got 3 F's at that just brought my GPA down because the woman who signed my leave of absence said she didn't give me permission which is a crock of BS.

OMG I am on the verge of a breakdown over this.

:hug:

[fishnfla]

37. has this ever happened to you before

blood spraying out of your nose?

What do you mean by blood clots?

[GingerSnaps]

45. 1st time

I was shaking from being so nervous and I started to cry like a damn baby which is embarrassing and then blood shot out of my nose and it wouldn't stop and then the blood clots cames out.

[blueraven95]

27. Hang in there!

Everyone else has suggested getting a lawyer, and I agree. The admin at that school are being unreasonable, and probably unlawful.

In case you haven't checked it out, find out about the Americans with Disabilities Act : http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/adahom1.htm

Also, contact the American Disabilities Association ( http://www.adanet.org/ ). They should be able to help you, even possibly providing a lawyer.

Good Luck.

[Moonbeam_Starlight]

31. Wait wait wait

I don't understand! I skipped class like ALL THE FRIGGING TIME! How can you be kicked out when you aren't failing and you are paid up?

No comprende that! What kind of school is that?

[GingerSnaps]

51. They started doing attendance checks

It's something new with the new Dean. You have to call in anytime you are going to miss a class or you won't be let in to your next class.

[liberalhistorian]

67. Well, I assure you that that college

is going to suffer a tremendous, immediate drop in enrollment next year because NOBODY is going to put up with that attendance policy bullshit! I come from an education family and I have NEVER EVER EVER even heard of, let alone experienced, a college with an attendance policy.

Individual professors may have their own policies (not often, frankly, they don't consider themselves babysitters and the class is your own sole responsiblity), but never a policy where you have to call in if you miss a class or you won't be allowed in the next one, that is such fucking bullshit that I'll be amazed if they'll have any students left by this time next year. And it would serve them right, too. The students at my own alma mater would have laughed that dean right out the door, and so would the administration. And so would almost any other college, I would imagine. You're not kids in junior and high school anymore.

[GoddessOfGuinness]

32. What a f@cking asshole!

I'd love to have a talk with this jerk. How dare he treat you that way when you've worked so hard and earned a superior GPA?!

Stick to your guns, hon. Get a lawyer and go right back in there. Don't let this sonofabitch treat you like a second class citizen. Maintain your dignity and composure and let him see that you're prepared to fight this injustice.

:hug: For courage! :hug:

[GingerSnaps]

33. When I first came to the College they had no wheelchair ramps

I had no way to get up to their second level after a certain time of night.

The only way that I could get up to the second level was to ask security and teachers if i could use the elevator that they take the garbage, cleanings supplies, freight, etc.

I told the Dean that they had made it hard for me to attend their college since day one.

[ringmastery]

36. get an attorney NOW!

there is no reason you should have to fight this yourself.

Hell, I would call the local media and tv stations, networks, as well. Ivy leauge college kicking out a disabled person? It would be a national embarassment to your school.

[salinen]

44. This is so easy

First, he wants you to come back. He already knows what you need. He would not have asked you to return if he has bad news.

But if he has bad news, tell him you are planning to speak to an attorney and if you could get his card so the attorney knows who and what number to call.

About this time they open the door to you, you're in. You should graciously accept their apologies.

You do not need an attorney unless this fails!

[GingerSnaps]

46. He was kicking me out before the blood came out of my nose

They were going to get an ambulance and the "bastard" went all white in the face.

When I was hysterical and blood was going all over my clothes and it wouldn't stop. He then told me to come in on Monday and talk to him.

[salinen]

47. Really, stop the panic

First, tell yourself that you actually will talk to an attorney if your meeting isn't favorable.

Next, don't demand anything. You just want to be a student.

I once threatened a Dean with legal action. All of a sudden, the atmosphere changed. Before I left his office I thought he was going to pay for my books.

[GingerSnaps]

53. They told me to come back anytime on Monday

I am afraid to go back alone and I told him that I needed to bring a Lawyer back and he got pissed.

[salinen]

55. Go back alone

He didn't invite your attorney anyway. On Monday, you will be surprised how nicely it will go for you. Be calm, listen to him. He already knows your desires.

Being pissed is not necessarily a bad thing in this case. He must assume you mean it, and for anyone, having an attorney crawl up your ass is very uncomfortable. It will be much easier to allow you to continue being a student, than risk you hiring an attack dog.

Get some sleep, and dream you're laying on a cloud, looking up to the heavens.

[Moonbeam_Starlight]

70. Ack!

REading that provoked my acrophobia! Get thought of being on cloud out of head!!!!!

[kerry-is-my-prez]

56. Sounds like a big time law suit to me. That is against the ADA law.

Americans with Disability law. Talk to an attorney. You or your attorney will need to follow up and meet with him - or send him a registered or certified letter. I would recommend that your attorney contact him.

If it is NOT in writing and you don't have evidence that you sent a letter - it doesn't "exist" and didn't happen according to the law - so it is important to have that receipt from a registered or certified letter.

Their ass is yours in my opinion.... The worst thing for them would be bad publicity. Any public entity fears that more than anything (the fear of a negative article appearing in the local paper).

[Pale_Rider]

58. Crimony ... I used to miss a whole lot of classes ...

... use to come in and take the tests and final and aced them.

Sue the suckers and make them bleed!

[fortyfeetunder]

59. For your legal challenge: hope you are keeping a diary

Your story troubled me because any reasonable academic institution could have accomodated your needs.

I hope you are keeping a diary of your episodes with the administrators you are dealing with. Also describe how you felt after the session. This will be valuable evidence your attorney can use in a case against the school.

[AmyDeLune]

60. Kick!

Best of Luck and Good Vibes to you!

[bhunt70]

63. what school?

[GingerSnaps]

68. I can't say the name because

If I have to sue them I could get into trouble but if you PM me I will tell you.

[GingerSnaps]

65. It's been a very hard night for me

This morning when I woke up I had my books by my end table and I went to pick them up because we have a presentation due on Tuesday in one class and then it hit me I am no longer a student anymore and my life is a mess.

I feel like I have no hope at the moment but It's just depression hitting right now.

Thank you everyone for being here when I needed someone to talk to.

[The Flaming Red Head]

66. I feel for you

I’m just short of graduating, too (around 12 hours) and all of sudden the school that I've been attending is telling me that they won’t accept my credits from another college (a traditional college).

They took courses that are at 3000 level and transferred them in as 1000 level electives and this includes my sciences. They're telling me that I have to retake classes that I've already completed and I can't afford to do that.

I’ve been going to school part time, forever and I wanted a degree so bad, and I tried so hard and now I think I might give up, but I am so far in debt that I’ll pay for all of this till the day I die.

[AmyDeLune]

69. That's not right either...

did they tell you any of that when you enrolled there, it seems like someone would have mentioned it. Ah Bueracracy. Bleah!

Good Luck and Good Vibes to you too!