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 “Knowing that the paperwork has been filed and approved by the university, I would write a letter of support for the student addressed to the dean of the other college. If the student has the paperwork filed, and it is in accordance with the catalog rulings at the time of the student's college entry, the double major paperwork should stand as filed. If for some reason the letter from my department does not assist the student, I would encourage the student to see the campus arbitrator if all else fails. I would most certainly support the student, as I would have been aware of this double major from the beginning and have been aware of the strong focus and desire of this student to complete what he has begun.”~ Vicki Foy, College Completion Counseling, July 21 “The phrase 'petitions for exceptions' suggests the student went through a formal, written process. If so, I think the department head would be legally required to stand behind the decision made by the previous head – the student followed the process prescribed by the college. Bringing this up is not the first tactic I'd use with the department head, but if advocacy on the student's behalf didn't work, I'd refer the student to the University Council's office or Ombuds Officer. It's distressing that the college's deans office was unhelpful. What else is a deans office for?”~ Ned Muhovich, University of Denver, July 10 “If I believed in the exceptions that had been approved, I would more likely want to 'go to bat' for this student. I might call the other adviser who 'is reluctant' to help, and see what the deal is there. I might also contact the new department head directly on the student's behalf. If the student has been given assurances of these exceptions – especially in writing – I think that the school should stand behind them. If I didn't believe that the exceptions were warranted, I may still urge my colleagues to follow through on a promise, but may not have as much passion in it. Perhaps the student should consider scaling back to one major to graduate on time, if the substitutions are out of line. But if 'promised' by an adviser, that should be upheld.”~ John Wick, Naugatuck Valley Community College, July 5 The Mentor is published by Penn State's Division of Undergraduate Studies Available online at www.psu.edu/dus/mentor/ Privacy and Legal Statements | Copyright | © The Pennsylvania State University | All rights reserved | |
