Given bad advice by university advisor... now I cannot be promoted to the next year.

[ill_advised]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? California

This summer I took a mandatory liberal studies course (I'm in a graphic design program) that was required to complete my first year. I was also working full time.

After the second week of classes I had not handed in my first assignment yet and began to realize that I did not have the time to do well in the course. I looked into dropping it but the final date to drop the course had already passed. I was stuck with the course.

I scheduled a meeting with a student advisor. I told the advisor that I was having trouble focusing on any homework after a full day of work. I anticipated either a fail or a barely passing grade if I continued. The advisor told me that since I had not handed in any work yet, I could simply stop attending the classes and accept a mark of 45 (rather than risk a lower mark if I handed in one or two assignments). She explained that I could take the course again in the Fall along with the rest of my core courses. So I agreed not to put any more effort into the class, accept a 45 and hopefully do better during the Fall semester.

One week before Fall classes started I recieved an email that said I had been de-registered from all of my fall courses. Apparently the liberal studies course was mandatory to be promoted to the next year, no exceptions. This contradicts the advice that I was given. I was told that I would be able to continue with my core courses in the Fall semester. If I had known it was life or death with this liberal studies course I would have scheduled days off from my job or taken a part-time gig instead.

So, if the university advisor gave me incorrect advice... do I have a case against the university to allow me to attend my second year courses?

 

[ecmst12]

Not a LEGAL case, as this is not a legal issue. You need to go through university channels.

 

[ill_advised]

Not a LEGAL case, as this is not a legal issue. You need to go through university channels.

But what if the university refuses to let me continue with my second year courses? I don't want to sue them. I want to make sure they let me continue with my second year courses.

 

[Antigone*]

But what if the university refuses to let me continue with my second year courses? I don't want to sue them. I want to make sure they let me continue with my second year courses.

You cannot make them promote you to your second year until ALL your first year requirements have been completed.

 

[ecmst12]

The law has no power to force them to do anything, outside of a lawsuit, which would be extremely difficult and time consuming to say the least, and wouldn't be successful unless you could prove that they somehow violated their contract with you (which is unlikely). If your powers of persuasion won't move them, IMO your best option is to take the failed course and resume the rest of your classes next semester.

 

[ill_advised]

You cannot make them promote you to your second year until ALL your first year requirements have been completed.

Well this is why I wanted to speek with the school when I realized I was having difficulties with the class. I knew it was a required course but I thought there might have been other options like.. academic probation or something. I don't really know.. that's why I went to seek advice from them.

So I went through the proper channels.. scheduled a meeting with an advisor.. the advisor tells me that if I fail the liberal studies class I can still take my core courses but I will have to push back all of my liberal classes.. then I find out one week before the Fall semester starts that she was wrong and I cannot take my core courses...

Why in the world would the university not be held liable for their advisor giving out bad advice? It's the advisor's fault that I thought I could do my second year courses despite failing this course. Because of her advice I decided not to participate in the class any further and accept a failing grade so that I could focus on work.

 

[Zigner]

Well this is why I wanted to speek with the school when I realized I was having difficulties with the class. I knew it was a required course but I thought there might have been other options like.. academic probation or something. I don't really know.. that's why I went to seek advice from them.

So I went through the proper channels.. scheduled a meeting with an advisor.. the advisor tells me that if I fail the liberal studies class I can still take my core courses but I will have to push back all of my liberal classes.. then I find out one week before the Fall semester starts that she was wrong and I cannot take my core courses...

Why in the world would the university not be held liable for their advisor giving out bad advice? It's the advisor's fault that I thought I could do my second year courses despite failing this course. Because of her advice I decided not to participate in the class any further and accept a failing grade so that I could focus on work.

Your question has been answered...there's really nothing else that we can offer you.