Need some info about two Australian (?) schools

We've received an application from a potential student for the HUX program who reports he will be unable to provide transcripts from two of his previous universities. One university lost his records during a changeover in the school computer system; the second university requires him to physically visit the campus to obtain transcripts, which he cannot do as he lives in Japan.

The universities he listed are the University of West Sydney and Macquarie University but I'm not sure which one lost the records and which one requires the personal visit.

Our international transcript evaluator isn't charmed by any of this. Does anyone have information concerning these schools and/or insight into the likelihood of the situations the applicant described?

Thanks for your help.

 

This is a very weird situation. (FWIW: Both UWS and Macquarie are legitimate schools.)

Here's my thought:

If someone came to me and said that he'd attended two large universities, and one of the two large universities lost all of his records in a computer changeover, I would be mildly suspicious.

If someone came to me and said that he'd attended two large universities, and one of the two large universities required him to show up in person to obtain transcripts, I would be mildly suspicious.

If someone came to me and said that he'd attended two large universities, one of them lost his records, and the other required him to show up in person... Well, I'd want some documentation under the "the dog ate my homework" clause.

Here are the relevant URLs; I have absolutely no idea who to contact at each school, but the switchboard operator should:

University of Western Sydney
http://www.uws.edu.au

Macquarie University
http://www.mq.edu.au

Maybe someone more familiar with the Australian system than I am can comment here, but it certainly seems strange that a situation has arisen where neither school can provide transcripts.


Cheers,

 

Re: Re: Need some info about two Australian (?) schools

I call bullshit on the student.

Every university I have ever attended (and worked in) does not rely 100% on computer records when it comes to student records, grades, and degrees awarded. All such records also exist on paper. When one applies for a degree to be awarded, computer records are hand checked against the paper records to ensure they match before handing over the sheepskin.

Any student would be able to have "lost" transcripts rebuilt from these paper-based records, as well as receipts, bank statements, admission applications and letters, grade reports, paper and exam submissions, instructor and fellow student recollection, etc..

I can say this because I have had my transcripts lost, and was able to rebuild them 100% over time as I kept every piece of paper that ever exchanged hands between the university and myself. When combined with their records all was well except for some stress while the repair was in progress.

Also, any legitimate university will mail transcripts to anyone for payment of a small fee as this is the way it is done.

Christian

 

Re: Release of personal information.

Australia has recently adopted very strict laws on the release of personal information to any third party. In fact, stupid as it may sound, adult students here may be able to sue their high school, if they release report cards to parents without their consent!
I'm only guessing, don't know, if this has something to do with it. Has the student in question provided the appropriate consent?

 

Relevant links for UWS:

http://www.uws.edu.au/uws/policies/ppm/doc/000046.html
http://www.uws.edu.au/uws/uwsh/admin/stuadmin/acadtrans.html


And for Macquerie:

http://www.reg.mq.edu.au/Forms/APSAcad.pdf


I second Christian's bullshit call. One of these situations seems suspicious enough, but both together seem incredibly unlikely. Maybe you could give him the benefit of the doubt and evaluate his application without considering attendance at either of these schools. Hopefully he's not relying solely upon achievements that he can't substantiate.

 

Christian: "Also, any legitimate university will mail transcripts to anyone for payment of a small fee as this is the way it is done."

John: There are schools that use transcript-sending as ransom for unpaid fees. Marina once got, and treasured, a form letter from Vassar, several years after she left there, that announced they would not send her transcript until an overdue library fine of something like $2 was paid.

 

I hope she framed it!

Christian

 

If the student has graduated from Maquarie and UWS then this is free to air public information and privacy laws do not apply. A simple call to the registrars (I know each of them) with the students consent to obtain past transcripts would be simple verification.

Cheers,

George.

 

George is right: obtaining academic transcripts from Australian Universities is fairly straightforward and is generally not secret information.

The transcript office from the Uni of Tasmania provided me with the following:

(1) If a graduate seeks a transcript, three original copies will be issues for a fee of $10 (and, yes, if you have unpaid fees, even library fees, you won't get your transcript!).

(2) Many Australian universities subscribe to the computerised "ARTS" (Academic Record Transfer System) to assertain student qualifications. Therefore, if a graduate from one Australian University wished to undertake a course at another university, then the incoming university is likely to use ARTS to verify the previous record. The student's approval is not usually sought.

(3) If an overseas university made a written approach to the University of Tas to verify a student record or asked for a transcrpit then this would ususally be provided without charge as a courtesy. My informant seemed to think most Australian universities would do this.

(4) The Uni of Tas will only provide transcripts to the student, to another university, or to a third party with the student's consent. (For example, even relatives will not be provided with transcripts without the student's written consent, which apparantly has annoyed some parents having paid for the education!).

If Nicole is concerned about claims regarding Australian degrees the best form of action would be to formally approach the Universities in question and request a transcript. I'm pretty sure they would be supplied (if they exist, that is).

Kind regards

 

Christian: I hope she framed it!

John: It's alongside the demand I got from the State of Connecticut last year that they would not release my aunt's death certificate until her back taxes of $0.00 were paid. (After a few more demands and unanswered explanations, I wrote them a check for $0.00, and the document was promptly sent. Ain't bureaucracy grand.)

 

As a UWS grad who is considered offshore and never set foot on campus (I probably will not in the near future) I can obtain transcripts. The cost is $20 AD.

This student either doesn't want to pay for his transcripts, is too lazy to request them, or is up to something.

John

 

Thanks everyone

All your responses are well taken and run in parallel to our own reasoning. After a bit more research, I'm going to suggest the Applications Processor make a few polite inquiries of the applicant and see where that takes us. Perhaps he's unaware of his options in obtaining these documents, or perhaps some of the other suggestions apply.

Thanks again for your help.