| Author | Message | ||
     Mayor McCheese Supporter Username: Mayor_mccheese  Post Number: 2243 Registered: 7-2004  |
I had to meet with two people at Seton Hall today. Both times no one showed up to meet with me. The first meeting at 9:30 they told me the wrong building to go to. The people at that building told me the office had moved to another building. I went there and found out that the office was not in there, but in another building. It rained on me the whole time. When I got to the door of the office no one was there. I was told that no one will be in until Thursday. The second person I needed to see I went to yesterday. They were not in. There was a big sign posted on the door that they are in the office on Tues., Wed., and Fri. from 12 to 1. So, today I went back the in the rain again. But this time with two children with me. I wait outside the office for 20 minutes. He never showed up. | ||
| Hoops Citizen Username: Hoops Post Number: 1990 Registered: 10-2004  |
you should have left the kids in the car. | ||
| Glock 17 Citizen Username: Glock17 Post Number: 1849 Registered: 7-2005  |
Not gonna' say it...not gonna' say it... | ||
| Cynicalgirl Citizen Username: Cynicalgirl Post Number: 3119 Registered: 9-2003  |
...or at a bar! | ||
| Dave Supporter Username: Dave Post Number: 10631 Registered: 4-1997  |
Call the police! | ||
| Hank Zona Supporter Username: Hankzona Post Number: 6173 Registered: 3-2002  |
start a thread! oh wait, you did. | ||
| fabulouswalls Citizen Username: Fabulouswalls Post Number: 249 Registered: 10-2005  |
You know if someone dies you could get blamed for it. | ||
| buzzsaw Citizen Username: Buzzsaw Post Number: 5735 Registered: 5-2001  |
give 'em watts ! | ||
| Cynicalgirl Citizen Username: Cynicalgirl Post Number: 3121 Registered: 9-2003 |
On a serious note: If you were trying to do business with them, and the only way to do it was live, and you'd mutually set up an appointment, you should be po'ed. I believe in complaining to get action. Were I you, I'd find out the name and/or position most in charget of the office you were going to meet, and complain. Do it by phone, by e-mail, by letter -- I'd start by phone. Politely demand satisfaction, and an apology. Depending upon your relationship to the university (alum, former employer, student) and they way you conduct the conversation, you'll get a response pretty quickly. Don't start low, start high. Provost or similar for academic, vice president of administration. Hell, call the President's office. You don't need to be rude, but you shouldn't be fobbed off in this way. Stick up for yourself. People are jerks these days, and rude, and they wasted your time. Don't take it. | ||
| S.L.K. 2.0 Citizen Username: Scrotisloknows Post Number: 1938 Registered: 10-2005  |
Mayor, Yup, someone just died in Cleveland and it is all your fault...  -SLK | ||
| Mayor McCheese Supporter Username: Mayor_mccheese Post Number: 2244 Registered: 7-2004 |
Cynicalgirl, I am a student until december. The two who didn't show are the dean of the school I am in, and my advisor who also happens to be the chair of the department I am majoring in. | ||
| Glock 17 Citizen Username: Glock17 Post Number: 1852 Registered: 7-2005 |
An excellent example of why I don't attend that particular educational institution. | ||
| Mayor McCheese Supporter Username: Mayor_mccheese Post Number: 2245 Registered: 7-2004 |
I am going to smoke a cigar and try to calm down, anyone want to join me? | ||
| MeAndTheBoys Citizen Username: Meandtheboys Post Number: 4425 Registered: 12-2004  |
Just plain rude, no matter how you slice it. You are paying tuition to that particular institution aren't you? That makes you a consumer with the right to some amount of consideration. I'd complain, as nicely as possible, and I'd do it directly to the people who stood you up. | ||
| SoOrLady Citizen Username: Soorlady Post Number: 3501 Registered: 9-2003 |
Don't call the President - yet. Since your appointments were with the Dean, and chair of the department, call the Provost. | ||
| Mayor McCheese Supporter Username: Mayor_mccheese Post Number: 2246 Registered: 7-2004 |
Me&, my advisor has been the biggest jerk since day 1. I have been waiting to get all the needed stuff done with his signiture, and then I am going to let him have it. I have been waiting for two years, taking everything he has thrown at me. The first time we met (I transfered in after taking time off) I asked him what classes I should take to get on track, and his responce was to throw a 300 page book down on the desk and tell me to read it. Then he said "Come back if you have any questions." In a few weeks I should be done with everything I need from him. The second he signs the last thing I need I am going to tell him exactly what I think of him. | ||
| Joan Supporter Username: Joancrystal Post Number: 8210 Registered: 5-2001 |
I would at least contact both the dean and the department chair to point out that you were there and they were not. Then either handle the business by phone/e-mail or politely request another appointment with each ASAP if the matter has to be handled in person. I assume you need to speak with them to get approval of your fall class schedule, permission to get into a closed class you need for graduation or the like. Such matters still need to be attended to promptly if you don't want to remain a student past December. Yes, they were clearly at fault but you are the one who is more likely to suffer if you don't make the effort to get in touch with them ASAP. | ||
| Mayor McCheese Supporter Username: Mayor_mccheese Post Number: 2247 Registered: 7-2004 |
I was told I could meet with the Dean thurday 9 to 12. It is first come first serve. I will wait to see what happened to him before I go off on him. I am waiting that one out. I already sent the advisor an email asking why he is not honoring office hours. | ||
| Mayor McCheese Supporter Username: Mayor_mccheese Post Number: 2248 Registered: 7-2004 |
I need to get this all done by friday. We shall see if that happens. | ||
| Mayor McCheese Supporter Username: Mayor_mccheese Post Number: 2249 Registered: 7-2004 |
OK, now I am going to smoke a cigar. | ||
| Jersey_Boy Citizen Username: Jersey_boy Post Number: 1739 Registered: 1-2006  |
THE CIGAR: it forces you to relax. J.B. | ||
| Mayor McCheese Supporter Username: Mayor_mccheese Post Number: 2250 Registered: 7-2004 |
Yes, yes it did. I feel a little better. | ||
| Cynicalgirl Citizen Username: Cynicalgirl Post Number: 3123 Registered: 9-2003 |
That's stinky, and I can see why you feel the need to tread carefully. But, do consider the Provost. Be polite and factual, but do it. As MeAnd points out, you are a consumer and they are a service provider. Also, be alert to times of the day when faculty types are most likely to not be on schedule. First thing in the morning, late in the afternoon, right after lunch. | ||
| mjc Citizen Username: Mjc Post Number: 1290 Registered: 10-2004 |
Mayor, what a drag. What the sensible people above have said is true. Also true: Coming up against this type of stuff and learning to deal with it successfully may be more valuable in so-called real life than a lot of your course work. What I learned at university: how to stand in a really long line (this was before computer registration, e-mail etc.) and how to ask for what I want until I either get it or find out it's actually impossible. Not that I always do. Best of luck with the shmucks, and congrats in advance on your next step after December! | ||
| greenetree Supporter Username: Greenetree Post Number: 9263 Registered: 5-2001  |
I'm with you on waiting until you get what you need from these guys. It's unfortunate, but many of them do treat undergrads like door mats. Funny story: TS's employer pays 100% tuition for any class she wants to take from an accredited university. A few years back, we lived near Jersey City State and she decided to take some courses (calculus for kicks). She goes in to see what the process is. They are salivating at someone who is going to pay full price, cash. Most of their students are on financial aid. They want her to apply as a part-timer. She has no problem with that. They will admit anyone with a pulse and a checkbook, so it's just a formality. She is required to "interview". She takes time off of work to go for these silly "interviews" with various Deans, who also fail to show up, and have their secretaries tell her to reschedule when she calls. After the same guy blows her off the second time, she calls and demands to speak to him. Actually gets him on the phone. Tells him that she resents him wasting her time. He makes veiled threats about not admitting her. She starts laughing and says "Do you think that I actually need you or your school? Who the hell do you think you are? Harvard fcuking University?" click. We were both rolling on the floor over that one. She took her classes elsewhere. I know that this doesn't help you, Mayor. But I thought that it might give you some vicarious satsifaction. | ||
| Cynicalgirl Citizen Username: Cynicalgirl Post Number: 3125 Registered: 9-2003 |
That is EXCELLENT! A woman after my own heart... Personally, some of the consumerist student/parental attidudes I ran into while working at a university were nothing short of rude and inappropriate (I was in an administrative role, not an academic one) but it's certainly true that academic demigogues can be a royal self-important pill (usually, the less intelligent their discipline/themselves, the more puffed up they are). | ||
| Tom Reingold Supporter Username: Noglider Post Number: 15482 Registered: 1-2003  |
Mayor, I recommend against letting him have it all at once after you have your degree. You could be burning bridges. On the other hand, I do agree that you should let him have it in small pieces. One gentle way to complain is to ask (passive aggressively) what you did wrong when you showed up for your appointment. And then ask what he would have done in your shoes. That makes people stammer, because they're not ready for that. A decent apologizes at that point. I can't say if these guys are decent and will therefore apologize. | ||
| Monster© Supporter Username: Monster Post Number: 4693 Registered: 7-2002  |
lets get him them drunk, take them to a farm and take incriminating pictures of them. | ||
| Mayor McCheese Supporter Username: Mayor_mccheese Post Number: 2254 Registered: 7-2004 |
Tom, this advisor is not someone who I would ever seek out for help with anything. In addition he is on the older side and has been in academia for his whole career. This is one bridge that I will be very very happy to burn. | ||
| greenetree Supporter Username: Greenetree Post Number: 9265 Registered: 5-2001 |
D O N' T D O I T !!!!!!!! | ||
| CLK Supporter Username: Clkelley Post Number: 2385 Registered: 6-2002 |
I have to say I'm with greenetree. If you're really mad, do something that can make a difference. This means taking the time to write a detailed and courteous but outraged letter, and sending it to the President and Provost of the University. They are in a position to effect change, but they won't do ANYTHING if they think you're being a P I T A. Be professional, be adult, let your outrage show but in a controlled way. Make sure you outline: 1) What you needed (signatures, approval to take a class, whatever) 2) What you did to get what you needed (made an appointment, checked office hour times, etc) 3) What didn't work - i.e., the Dean and Chair did not honor the appointments and/or office hours 4) What effect this has had on you 5) What concrete actions you want them to make, NOW, to solve the current problem 6) The concrete steps you would like to see to avoid this kind of thing in the future Make SURE your note is well-written with NO spelling errors or serious grammatical errors. You want to look good. You want to look like a sane, rational, smart student who has been screwed by the system (which is what you are). You don't want to look like an idiot or a lunatic. If you really want to scare them, tell them you're thinking of sending a letter to the News-Record. They will be excreting building materials, guaranteed. If one thing scares University Admin, it's the prospect of Bad Press. They may not respond. Be ready for that. But this approach stands some chance of actually effecting change. | ||
| CLK Supporter Username: Clkelley Post Number: 2386 Registered: 6-2002 |
Oh one more thing - I thought I had said this - definitely wait until Friday. Give the dean and chair a chance to redeem themselves. Sh** happens, and there is some chance it happened to both of them. This time of year is extremely (and I mean *extremely*) busy for people like them. They might have been called away quite suddenly. But if you continue to get the run-around, or a brush-off about what happened already, bump it up. Bad treatment happens because we allow it to happen. | ||
| Cynicalgirl Citizen Username: Cynicalgirl Post Number: 3131 Registered: 9-2003 |
I think CLK's advice is wisest. Also, maybe find a friend to look after your kids while you do this bit of business. I'm sure having them with you while you were stood up didn't help your mood (restlessness and so on) and you probably need to preserve your sanity while getting this thing done. | ||
| Tom Reingold Supporter Username: Noglider Post Number: 15485 Registered: 1-2003 |
There oughta be an "Ask CLK" column. | ||
| Mayor McCheese Supporter Username: Mayor_mccheese Post Number: 2256 Registered: 7-2004 |
CKL, I was hoping you might see this thread. I will do my best to refrain from yelling at this man. I may write a letter. I will wait and see how much worse this gets. | ||
| Monster© Supporter Username: Monster Post Number: 4706 Registered: 7-2002 |
screw that, lets take compromising pictures of them and make them squirm.... | ||
| fabulouswalls Citizen Username: Fabulouswalls Post Number: 250 Registered: 10-2005 |
Anyone die yet? | ||
| Buttercup Citizen Username: Buttercup Post Number: 124 Registered: 12-2005  |
Unfortunately this is typical university bullcrap. You need to rent The Spanish Apartment and watch the opening sequence. | ||
| Joan Supporter Username: Joancrystal Post Number: 8218 Registered: 5-2001 |
If you need everything done by Friday, waiting until Friday is too late. I would follow CLK's advice but I would make Thursday your deadline and hand deliver the letter on Friday so you have a little time for the adnministration to do whatever is necessary to resolve your problem. Good luck. | ||
| ajc Citizen Username: Ajc Post Number: 5449 Registered: 9-2001  |
"There oughta be an "Ask CLK" column." Oh one more thing - I thought I had said this - definitely wait until Friday. Give the dean and chair a chance to redeem themselves. Sh** happens, and there is some chance it happened to both of them. This time of year is extremely (and I mean *extremely*) busy for people like them. They might have been called away quite suddenly. But if you continue to get the run-around, or a brush-off about what happened already, bump it up. Bad treatment happens because we allow it to happen. | ||
| Oregon gal Citizen Username: Oregon_gal Post Number: 102 Registered: 6-2006  |
I vote for a flaming bag of poo on his porch. | ||
| hch Citizen Username: Hch Post Number: 370 Registered: 8-2002 |
Pssst, psssst.... Ixnay on the illingkay. | ||
| CLK Supporter Username: Clkelley Post Number: 2389 Registered: 6-2002 |
Wow, I am embarrassed. So let me supplement this thread by saying: OK, go ahead and send your University Admin Etiquette questions to "Ask CLK." I'll do what I can. But also remember: Send your Facial Care Questions to "Ask Las." Send your Professional Workplace Mentoring Questions to "Ask Cynicalgirl." Send your Wild Party (Etiquette?) Questions to "Ask Monster." Send your Requests for Sage and Reasonable Advice to "Ask Joan." Send your Wedding Attire and Related Formal Party Kind of Etiquette Questions to "Ask Greenetree." I'm not sure which help-line Tom Reingold gets to monitor, but he should definitely have one. Send your 21st Century Parenting Questions to "Ask S.L.K." (then duck ... :-) "Ask MeAndTheBoys" is also sometimes helpful. "Ask JustAboutAnybodyElse" works, too, and you'll be sure to get a lot of mutually contradictory advice as well as a really entertaining flame-war, until you get bored of the whole thing and go away. ;-) I could go on & on .....  | ||
| Mayor McCheese Supporter Username: Mayor_mccheese Post Number: 2258 Registered: 7-2004 |
OK, I met with dean today. He was very very helpful. His secretary was asking me about some paperwork I had and why there were so many holes not filled in. I explained to her that I could find my advisor anywhere. She laughed a lot, and said good luck. Also, dean told me that advisor has to be in today. I stopped by his office and he was not in yet. I have been by his office hours 3 times this week. I have left a phone message, and an email which he has not responded to. Today he has to be there. I am grabbing a folding chair, a few magazines and setting up camp outside his office. His office hours begin at 12. I will be there at 11 waiting for him. I should have made this into a blog a year ago and documented my troubles with the administration. | ||
| buzzsaw Citizen Username: Buzzsaw Post Number: 5751 Registered: 5-2001 |
it would make a nice musical..... | ||
| CLK Supporter Username: Clkelley Post Number: 2391 Registered: 6-2002 |
Hey, I could help write the script for that. I also do comic lyrics. ;-) BTW good news on the Dean front. From their reaction (secretary's anyway) you are not alone, so do fight the good fight. For your sake and your fellow students. | ||
| Mayor McCheese Supporter Username: Mayor_mccheese Post Number: 2259 Registered: 7-2004 |
Dean had a baby. All is forgiven there. I caught my advisor today. He said that his office hours were not for the summer. That he had summer hours. His summer hours were taken down before I went by on monday. He claims he was in every day. I just wish he had kept them posted until the end of the summer. Anyway, all papers are signed. Except for one that advisor wouldn't sign because he said there were too many. So, I have to go back on Tuesday and see him again to get him to sign it.(I have no idea why he wouldn't sign it!) Oh well, now I need to see what bowling classes are left. One class and 4 electives. What a waste of money this semester is. | ||
| buzzsaw Citizen Username: Buzzsaw Post Number: 5756 Registered: 5-2001 |
one of my favorite electives was photography then it turned in to my life watch out for electives | ||
| Joan Supporter Username: Joancrystal Post Number: 8238 Registered: 5-2001 |
Have a great summer. I'm glad things are getting closer to being under control. | ||
| Irvington Pirate Citizen Username: Irvingtonpirate Post Number: 90 Registered: 6-2005 |
Glock says... "Not gonna' say it...not gonna' say it..." Exactly what aren't you going to say? Seems you really have nothing to say as you have no idea how the university works. Another little gem from Glock... "An excellent example of why I don't attend that particular educational institution." Yeah, right. OK, how about the real reason you don't attend, you couldn't get in (if you are even old enough to apply). I seem to remember someone saying you were a swimmer or participated in some other sport. Could it be that you were looking for a Division 1 scholarship and SHU wouldn't recruit you? Who knows, maybe it was a financial thing. SHU is an expensive school, not everyone can afford it. Could be academic too, not everyone has the grades to get into SHU. Glock, why do you continue to speak about SHU when you know nothing about how the university works? BTW, how old are you. You strike me as an immature kid. | ||
| emmie Supporter Username: Emmie Post Number: 898 Registered: 3-2002  |
So why are you picking on Glock? Pretty nasty comments. Talk about thread drift. | ||
| Just The Aunt Supporter Username: Auntof13 Post Number: 6168 Registered: 1-2004  |
9emmie- Even better -90 percent of SH students receive some form of financial aid and 2/3 of entering freshmen receive scholarships or grants directly from the University. | ||
| greenetree Supporter Username: Greenetree Post Number: 9461 Registered: 5-2001 |
Glock, why do you continue to speak about SHU when you know nothing about how the university works? BTW, how old are you. You strike me as an immature kid. Pot....kettle.....pot.....kettle..... |
