School dean/financial aid office trying to extort a $400 fee that isn't in contract.

[uwmcomputernerd]

Wisconsin, but this is in regards to my best friend who now goes to school in Maine.

My friend (John) is trying to move off campus and he signed a contract at the beginnging of this school year, and they made a change to it about a month ago, and are trying to get him to abide to this new contract that he didn't sign simply because it would mean he has to pay a $400 fee, and they tried to intimidate him into trying to sign this new contract to move off campus (numerous times), even though it was indentical to the previous accept for that 1 line referring to the fee.

I made sure he didn't, and then told him to get copies of the original for safe keeping, which he did.

He's met a few times with the administrator who said to him in private that if he doesn't sign it, he won't let him live off campus (it's a private college btw). My friend also said that he told the administrator that some of his friends have been allowed to move off campus without having to pay that fee, and then threatens that he'll go back and make them pay it too if he doesn't want to pay the fee that isn't in contract.

That's the extremely shorthand version of it all.

The man is taking an extreme power trip and trying to extort this fee out of my friend John, and were not sure where to take this or what direction to go? Please someone help!

If you have any questions or need additional information just ask what is necessary, thank you!

 

[uwmcomputernerd]

**Patiently awaits enlightenment**

 

[Ohiogal]

He should go talk to an attorney who can actually read the contracts and give him advice based on what is contained therein.

 

[uwmcomputernerd]

Okay, well how about we just assume it doesn't list it (it really doesn't) I've read it myself and there's no fine small print or anything that even remotely could cover there ass about it. They've done it to a few other students, but they conned them into signing a new agreement before moving forward, and my friend won't sign because it would totally screw him in the end of that fee.

1. What if it doesn't list the fee?
2. Is there a way to represent himself?
3. What's an inexpensive way to find help and/or representation?
4. Do you know of any good reading material that pertains to such a scenario, like this one?
5. I could have him scan the agreement and I'll post it, if that would help or not?
6. Anything else you can think of would be helpful

Thanks for your time.

 

[seniorjudge]

1. What if it doesn't list the fee?
A: They would be hard to collect it from you.


2. Is there a way to represent himself?
A: Yes, you can represent yourself but do not refer to yourself in the third person. People will snicker.


3. What's an inexpensive way to find help and/or representation?
A: Contact your state bar to see if there is a lawyer who will represent you for free.


4. Do you know of any good reading material that pertains to such a scenario, like this one?
A: No.


5. I could have him scan the agreement and I'll post it, if that would help or not?
A: Sure.


6. Anything else you can think of would be helpful
A: Nothing comes to mind at the moment.