Can they do this?

I recently graduated undergrad however, the university stole over 20,000 from me (which I can prove). I graduated with over 180 credits but the university is withholding my transcripts and degrees for a balance they claim that I owe. I've discussed this with several in the financial and bursar office on campus who have admitted to funds being missing and promised to investigate. Instead of finding the funds a woman in the bursars sent me a photo of a deposit slip where the funds still did not add up and tried to get me to take out a loan. They are still withholding my transcripts and degrees for payment on funds they stole. I'm trying to go to grad school I have papers acknowledging my clearance to graduate and papers acknowledging my status of magna cum laude (They even let me get the cord and coin), but no transcripts or degrees. Can they do this? I have no idea what to do.

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GlassDog · 46-50, M

I work for a University and we will withhold the conferral of a degree if fees remain unpaid or if University property (usually books) haven't been returned. However, I should confess that the administration can be chaotic, many mistakes are made, and it takes a long time to get people to agree that a mistake has been made.

Universities thrive on reputation and any mention of engaging a lawyer or speaking to the press will get your case investigated pretty sharpish. Hopefully, you've already got this resolved by now, though.

Nine9 · 26-30, F

@GlassDog Unfortunately no, they are still trying to get me to take a loan even though the head of the department admitted to funds missing then she tried to show me a deposit slip claiming they gave me the funds but the deposit slip and the amount missing did not match. When I brought that to her attention she pushed the loan again. Then she stopped answering my messages when I asked where the real missing funds were.

GlassDog · 46-50, M

@Nine9 I've seen a few cases like this, where admin staff think their paperwork is infallible. Unfortunately, it does sometimes take a lot to make them realise. Don't give up, though, whatever you do.

Nine9 · 26-30, F

@GlassDog I'm trying not to but every attorney I've found has fallen through.

GlassDog · 46-50, M

@Nine9 It might not even need you to appoint one. Just the idea that you're frustrated enough to be seeking representation usually does the trick.

Nine9 · 26-30, F

@GlassDog You think they would be scared enough to actually do the right thing?

GlassDog · 46-50, M

@Nine9 You would think so, but here they think all the power is on their side if the paperwork looks roughly right. It's only when you're serious about a challenge that they think, oops, what if there's a mistake here?

I've dealt with these teams and know with absolutely certainty that their data is wrong, but they have refused to accept it. It must be incredibly frustrating when it's costing you money and impacting your future study.

Nine9 · 26-30, F

@GlassDog You're right I'm trying to get into grad school and right now I can't even show my transcripts or degrees.

GlassDog · 46-50, M

@Nine9 The grad schools might also wonder if you're hiding something, even though you're not.

Nine9 · 26-30, F

@GlassDog I can produce my letters of completion and my magnum cum laude status and transcripts from last semester but that's it. Not the latest transcripts or actual degree which sucks because I worked hard and earned 188 credits during undergrad.

GlassDog · 46-50, M

@Nine9 Yeah, they'd be suspicious and would at the very least consult your undergraduate institution, who will, of course repeat incorrect information.

Nine9 · 26-30, F

@GlassDog So I'm pretty much stuck right? 😩

GlassDog · 46-50, M

@Nine9 For now, yeah. Best advice I can give you is to throw everything you can at resolving it. I know some postgrad programmes don't start in semester one, but you don't want to limit yourself to those, or have to take a year out.

Nine9 · 26-30, F

@GlassDog Thank you for your advice. It's given me a lot to think about.

GlassDog · 46-50, M

@Nine9 Ahh, you're welcome. Hope you get the right result soon.