Expelled from Oberlin My Last Semester

[clicktalk]

I just got expelled from Oberlin with no chance of re-entry.  I had one semester left.   I was supposed to graduate this spring.  I didn't do anything badass or illegal; I just had been previously suspended for poor academic performance and failed one class last semester, thus earning too few credits.  Apparently at Oberlin this warrants dismissal

Comments

[elksling]

i can speak at length about this, but don't want to put my whole situation on blast. feel free to email me: dancethis@gmail.com and we can talk. Trust me, I know what you are experiencing right now.

[soullessthinker]

That seems really strange. Have you spoken with more than one Dean? Or, the ombudsperson, YB? While the appeal date may be over, the new semester hasn't started yet, so you've still got time.

Folks I'd contact:
Randal.Doane@oberlin.edu
monique.burgdorf@oberlin.edu
ombuds@oberlin.edu (Yeworkwha Belachew, Ombudsperson)

It's your last semester. The college _wants_ you to finish. If you'd like to talk, I had a different-but-similar issue my senior year. It taught me a lot more about the process.

Best,
Aries
aries.indenbaum@oberlin.edu

[merikus]

I agree with this comment. So what that your appeal period has passed. The college wants you to graduate. There may be many hoops you need to jump through (and one of those may be a semester of academic suspension) but I would be very shocked if they just closed the door on your graduation because you failed another class.

Your first stop should be YB, and I would recommend following whatever advice she gives you. You also may want to think about who in the faculty and administration might go to bat for you at this time. Is there a Dean or Assistant Dean that you worked with at some point? A faculty member who valued your presence in class? Perhaps your academic advisor, who is familiar with your particular situation? Since these people know you, even if they they can put in a good word for you, or even help you set up appointments with people who might be able to help you.

I had a lot of academic difficulties at Oberlin, so this is all said from personal experience. Best of luck...

[mockup]

I just woke up and I haven't had coffee yet, so apologies in advance if any of this is incoherent

[anonymous]

Whether you finish at Oberlin or elsewhere, you should finish somewhere. At this point, the degree is important to employers, if only as evidence that you can follow rules and jump through hoops. And I would advise against putting Oberlin College 2004-9 or whatever, because they'll either think you finished, which is dishonest and might get you fired later for misrepresenting yourself, or they'll ask you about it, in which case you'll have to explain during your interview. Or they'll see through it and discard your resume.
Good luck, though. I think Oberlin admin will be willing to work with you one way or another, and if not, there are lots of colleges; you'll be able to get in somewhere. <3

[coffeewurm]

This is all very true and worth reiterating. Also, if things don't work out with the ombudsperson, you can try to finish up at a community college.

[micahblitz]

Also, most if not all employers perform background checks and if they see you lied on your application you won't get the job anyway. So while they won't ask to see your physical diploma, they will check with Oberlin to see if you graduated if you do indeed list it on your resume.

[anonymous]

I also got expelled for not earning enough credits per semester, just before the start of my last year. (I appealed and they reinstated me, though.) I'd agree with the earlier comment that suggested working with the school to finish. I talked a lot with Kathryn Stuart as well as my class advisor.