U of Phoenix stuck it to me

That is a nice way of saying it. Just want to post my experience so others will be forewarned of this. One of the problems at UOP is that your attendance is literally tracked by their computer software in Tech Support. They are constantly having technical problems. Your minimum attendance requirement is to post two times in a week. That is no big deal. Since it is only checked by their automated computer software you can post "blah blah blah" and that will count. no big deal, right? Well...the problem is that sometimes the computer bleeps up and you don't get credit for your posts. I have seen this happen to a lot of other students but I've been really lucky. For 2 years through this masters program I've never had a problem. WELL my streak of luck ended.

After 2 years of work I just finished my last class for my Masters in Education. This was a 4 credit class titled "Action Research" It is the worst class in the program as far as workload goes. This is the class in quantitave analysis/statistics etc. and the class where you must complete an 80 page thesis/action research proposal in 8 weeks. Not to mention the classes cost an arm and a leg. I think I just paid well over 1500 for this class and it was more than that probably because it was 4 credits.

Now the rule is that if you are out of attendance in 2 weeks of that course you get withdrawn automatically. Well I went through 8 weeks of this class and my class ended over a week ago. This was a directed study course. My professor sent me tons of emails every week going "Great progress! Keep up the good work!" Then a "good luck in the future" at the end of the class.

I went to the website to check my grade and lo and behold I have a "W" in there. I called my academic counselor to find out what was going on? She said it must be some tech error and she'd get back to me. She never did so I emailed her a few times. She emails me back and says that their automated system says I did not post week 5 or week 6.

Now get to the good part....during week 5 it is true that I only posted once. This was because my teacher goofed and did not post the lecture or assignments that week. I waited and nothing was posted so finally I posted saying "What is the deal? Where's the lecture/" etc. Now my prof goofed and caught it and was very cool about it. He posted the right lecture etc. and we worked it out. Only now my academic counselor tells me TOUGH LUCK....all we care about is what the automated computer system says and it says you were out of attendance and that means you have to repeat the entire course. You get no grade.

WHAT???? Now wait a minute...this supposedly happened after week 5 but this was an 8 week course. So you wait 4 weeks to tell me this???? You try to withdraw me from a class one week after the class has ended?? She tells me again, tough luck that's the breaks. I told her you need to contact the prof. She says it's not her job to talk to my prof. All she cares is what the computer printout says. If their computer printout says I was not in atttendance then I wasn't. No matter what. Who cares. So there you go...

Now I get to repeat this class. Another 1500 or so bucks down the tubes and everything I did down the drain.

I told her I might have to go to the legal office on base and get some help but I'm not sure I have the energy to deal with that. Suffice it to say my opinion of UOP is in the toilet. As far as I am concerned they just want my money. They like to do this to people. I have had numerous fellow students forced to repeat classes due to these "tech errors" that you can't fight. I think in the future there may be a class action suit against UOP with all the students who have been forced to repeat classes because of their "tech errors". The almighty computer printout says you didn't attend and that is the end all be all to them. I will say this much. If anyone else out there has had this problem please email me personally. I would LOVE to get a group of stiffed UOP students together who have been misled out of their money this way and file a lawsuit against these bullies.

sorry to say when I get this degree I won't even hang it on the wall. I sure can't have anything with the UOP name in my house after these a-holes screwed me this way.

 

I am so very sorry this has happened to you.

Let me suggest, if I may, you call your academic advisor and also file a grievance.

 

I would first go to your academic advisor's supervisor, then I would file a small claims suit for $1500. Once U of P's legal dept. gets the complaint the issue will be cleared up. I might also try the President's office for satisfaction. U of P would be my absolute last choice in accredited programs, closely followed by AIU.

 

that sucks.

 

Going 2 years without a serious problem along the way is pretty good.

It has been my experience that the student has a significant role in whether or not problems like this get resolved.

Even if the academic counselor was unresponsive, he/she is hardly the last word. There is no way--no way--someone will let a computer make the final word. The key is to get your academic counselor's supervisor to talk to the professor. I'm not that familiar with UoP Online, but there should be a department chair for your program that can intervene from the academic side (in addition to the faculty member).

Rather than talk about legal action, it might do you well to continue to get the right people involved. After all, you just want to resolve this, right?

 

You can also contact your state atty general and the groups that accredit the institution.

Of course, I would start with getting an email from your professor and sending it with a letter stating that unless this situation is corrected to your satisfaction, you will contact all of the above and various newspapers....

 

UOP Problem

I taught both online and onground for UOP and can say if this is the way it happened your professor could clear this up quickly. I never had any hassle if I went to fix it. You have to aim higher than the counselor or some low level low paid flunky.

Now, having said that, when I wanted another grad degree I did not consider UOP. Way WAY too expensive. Period. They strictly control costs (i.e., personnel costs) with low wages and deliver what they can legally get away with.

Hey, it was an experience... for me, at least. Get your degree and move on... and good luck.

 

Hi Holly: How awful! Certainly a cautionary tale, not only about computers going bosbef*k, but about pedagogical rigidity substituting for andragogical intelligence. Rich's advice is good. Follow it as soon as you have the emotional stamina to do so after such a stupid mess on the university's part. Best wishes, Janko

 

I really feel for you and your situation. If I was in an administrative/management position at UoP, I would fire that “counselor” on the spot. Your counselor is supposed to be looking out for your best interest. That lady who works as your counselor has no business being employed in a customer relations position with that attitude. She doesn’t have the right skills to deal with the public, especially in a one-on-one, academic setting.

The problem with many of these online universities is that they apparently don’t have the infrastructure to provide any real customer support. They are very hands-off and tend to rely on technology to solve everything. AIU is sort of the same way, although I’ve never heard of an attendance glitch with any of their tracking systems.

Online universities go to great lengths to hire excellent “salespeople.” However, many of them could care less who is working the customer service desk once they have your money! This isn’t true for all of them, but it certainly seems to be happening more and more. I would say go for it and take legal action. Sometimes that’s the only language these people understand.

I wish you luck and success!

 

Wow!

Lucky me..... The tuition is too expensive, even though Military TA pays for it. So, I didn't make a decision to enroll into UoP. But I had a bad experience with Indiana University - School of Continueing Studies.

Thank you very much for sharing your information w/ us.

 

Well now that's the odd thing. My professor agrees that this is totally absurd. He has been doing everything under the sun to get them to fix it and they just don't care. In fact when I suggested to my academic advisor that she talk to the professor she told me he had nothing to do with the situation. Doesn't say much for being a professor at UOP. First time I've ever heard someone tell me the professor has nothing to do with the grade you get in a class. In fact according to my professor he has called numerous people including tech support to no avail. It seems as if they have little to no respect for their professors. He is being treated no different than me.

 

UOP Stuck it to me

Holly,

Sorry to hear about your problems. I think Rich Douglas provided the best advice. Get some people that are higher up in the food chain at UOP involved with this problem. It sounds like the counselor is either new or does not know what he or she is doing.

I just completed a Masters Degree with UOP on 14 Apr 04 and received my diploma and transcripts one week later. I had no regret in attending UOP other than the cost. However, since I was under the old Vietnam ERA GI Bill, my cost was time and effort only.

I had almost no problem with financial or academic advisors during the 23 consecutive months that I attended except for when I changed my schedule once and the certification paperwork to keep my GI Bill going was later arriving at the Regional VA office. I had to make about six or seven phone calls to various people but I got it fixed.

Again, I would take Rich's advice.

All the best,

Fred

 

I think you're close to your clout here.

UoP, like other schools, obviously appreciates its military connections and would surely like to maintain them. If you go to the legal office with your problem you may get some sympathetic support.

But, if I were you, I'd pose this situation as a problem to be resolved while denying myself the pleasure of referring to the a-holes as a-holes or indicating any desire to sue. Having the right military person inquiring of UoP its practices may be all it takes to straighten them out.

And if you do get the degree then hang it with pride. You earned it.

 

Well I agree being forced to get a lawyer sounds absurd. I have asked her repeatedly for her supervisor's information or the contact info for the academic affairs or for the dean but she told me that she is the last word and if I don't like her decision then I should forward her email to an attorney. That is the only reason I said well I guess I may have to do that if that is all you're giving me to work with. So crazy since I have never had a single problem. I think I may be dealing with someone who has a personality disorder. At any rate, you would not believe how difficult it is to find contact information for these individuals. No where in any of my information have I ever been given the actual contact info for most of these individuals. I have their names of the dean, etc. but not their contact info. I've spent a few hours now doing internet searches and managed to find some email addresses so we'll see what happens. I think at this point I've tried to contact anyone and everyone on up the food chain as suggested hoping that there is another route to go other than just getting a lawyer as my academic counselor suggested.

 

Perhaps someone like this could be appealed to.

 

Holly,

If you don't have a student catalog, I suggest you download one. It is available from your student page, under "Publications" (left-hand margin). I think you should file an appeal... read pages 29 & 30.

If I was you I would start by contacting Dr. Cindy Knott, Online Campus College Chair (College of Education) explain the situation and ask for her advise on how to file an appeal. If she does not help, then I would contact the following people:

Ms. Sandra McCarty or Ms. Meredith Curley, Assistant Deans
Dr. Bryan Palmer, Associate Dean
or Dr. Marla La Rue, Dean of the College of Education

I don't have phone numbers, but if you call the main number they should be able to transfer you. Also, try sending e-mail. IIRC, there is a way to find someone's e-mail within Outlook Express. A well-written e-mail detailing the situation (and with no profanity) will get their attention.

Your Academic Advisor simply does not have a clue; she does not have the final say on this. I was never in your situation, but a friend of mine went through something similar and our College's Dean was able to resolve the situation to his satisfaction.

 

go up the food chain

Hi Holly,

You should definately attempt to contact someone @ Apollo group, go as far up the food chain as you can. I really hope I don't have a problem like that considering I will be done next January, it's a little unsettling to hear. Either way, I wish you the best of luck, and I hope your issue gets resolved quickly.

 

Why don`t you write a letter to the state`s attorney and copy the school`s general counsel...get a few students to back you up.

Perhaps you can write the accrediting agency and the licensing commission as well.

That will prob awaken them.

 

You and I are on the same wavelength. I searched for an hour though to find contact info on him with no luck.

 

First, let me say I'm sorry for all the trouble you've been having.

I agree with others here that you should make as much noise as possible. File a small claims suit in your local district court, file a complaint with your state attorney general's office, file complaints with the local Better Business Bureau & Chamber of Commerce, and contact the consumer reporters of your local news stations and newspapers.

If you really turn up the heat, and especially if this generates negative news stories about UoP, I can promise you that your situation will be resolved very quickly. Negative publicity is a great motivator for businesses.

Also, once you do graduate, don't feel as though you should hide your UoP diploma. Some arrogant incompetents in the administrative office shouldn't take away from all your hard work or diminish your accomplishment. I know someone who had a administrative quagmire with Harvard, but take a guess as to whether she displays her diploma?