As a military wife whose husband deploys frequently, and, as a health profession who travels to underserved areas here and abroad; I was looking for a distance education course that had flexibility; Thomas Edison State University in Trenton, N.J. advertised flexible schedules on their website. I sent e-mails to the college outlining that I would be on medical mission and also traveling from home for work; would their university course schedule be appropriate for my lifestyle? I received a written response of yes by e-mail; and, was also directed to contact the instructor; which I did by e-mail. The instructor replied yes in an e-mail that he was accustomed to working with military and their challenging schedules. I registered for Chemistry 112; an online three credit course in September 2016.
During the course; I required several surgeries; and, I asked the instructor (whom I later learned was a mentor) how to obtain an extension. I filled out the extension paperwork; included the surgical note; received an e-mail from the instructor stating the extension had been approved; and, I continued to submit coursework and took the quizzes. The instructor continued to grade the homework and quizzes; and, I continued to complete the course. When it was time to take the mid-term and final; the instructor explained that the university provided the exams; that he, the instructor did not arrange and give those exams. I contacted the school to make arrangements; and, at that point I learned that I am not enrolled; after much investigation I learned that my extension paperwork was not received by the university.
As the instructor continued to grade the assignments and quizzes; and I was sent an e-mail stating the extension was approved; I was not aware that I was dropped from the course. After a series of e-mails to the Assistant Dean of the university (TESU would not allow this complaint to go further than the Assistant Dean) and the veteran’s department at TESU; the assistant dean denied my request for an adequate extension to complete the course as related to medical issues; therefore, by that decision I was unable to complete the mid-term and final; I was given an "F" and lost my veteran's reduced tuition; $750.
I was informed by the Veteran’s Office and the Assistant Dean that my only recourse was to withdraw and to file an appeal requesting a refund. I stated that I did not want to withdraw; the “F” would then stand; I was forced to withdraw. The Veteran's Office at the school was successful in reversing the "F" to a "W"; but was unable to secure a refund. I demanded an appeal and received an anonymous e-mail; no contact person given how to proceed with an appeal. The e-mail instructed to present evidence to support the appeal; when I logged into the university student site to secure evidence; all e-mails and dialogue were taken down.
I responded to the e-mail that had no contract person that the course website was gone; and hence, all supporting evidence. I was informed in an e-mail by this anonymous contact that the site was taken down to protect my privacy; I was then sent a letter stating my tuition would not be returned. I asked in several e-mails how to obtain this evidence; basically I was informed in these unsigned e-mails that it was not of significance to the case that the course website had been removed. The appeals committee chair; Ms. Woodruff continues to remain silent on the issue regarding the removal of the evidence; and, stands by the decision not to refund the $750.
The military reduced tuition should be returned for several reasons:
The university consistently states on their website that it is flexible; will work with the military and the demands of the military; e-mails stating this fact were removed by the university; the student website was taken down along with all the evidence that I could not present in the appeal process.
I was not aware I was dropped from the course; I was not aware that paperwork was not processed; I was sent an e-mail by the instructor stating the extension was granted; this e-mail was contained in the student site that was taken down; 2) the instructor continued to grade all remaining assignments and quizzes; I was not aware of any issues; completed all homework; the university removed the student website as evidence; 3) the university denied my request for an adequate extension as related to the surgical procedures; as I had just completed an additional surgery when these issues arose; and, would need adequate time to heal (supported by medical note); 4) I did not want to withdraw from the course, I wanted to complete the course successfully; was forced to withdraw as I was not granted an adequate extension to complete the mid-term and final; surgical healing.
In conclusion, the successful completion of this course is the preferable goal; however, as such time has transpired the completion of Chemistry 112 mid-term and final exams; would require adequate study and preparation time to successfully take the exams.
My situation is similar to some reports I've read about this institution , I registered for Classes on July 2014 and before the semester started I dropped out due to an emergency . Few months past and registered and again and spent probably a week taking courses but the my daughter got sick and had to drop out , I called the college and explained to them my situation and they said everything was fined . A year after a received a bill for $3499 according to them some fees for dropping out , I've submitted three appeals and all three denied . Don't know what to do they are threating me with collection and can't afford to pay this unfared charge . Please help
Thomas Edison State University Reviews
As a military wife whose husband deploys frequently, and, as a health profession who travels to underserved areas here and abroad; I was looking for a distance education course that had flexibility; Thomas Edison State University in Trenton, N.J. advertised flexible schedules on their website. I sent e-mails to the college outlining that I would be on medical mission and also traveling from home for work; would their university course schedule be appropriate for my lifestyle? I received a written response of yes by e-mail; and, was also directed to contact the instructor; which I did by e-mail. The instructor replied yes in an e-mail that he was accustomed to working with military and their challenging schedules. I registered for Chemistry 112; an online three credit course in September 2016.
During the course; I required several surgeries; and, I asked the instructor (whom I later learned was a mentor) how to obtain an extension. I filled out the extension paperwork; included the surgical note; received an e-mail from the instructor stating the extension had been approved; and, I continued to submit coursework and took the quizzes. The instructor continued to grade the homework and quizzes; and, I continued to complete the course. When it was time to take the mid-term and final; the instructor explained that the university provided the exams; that he, the instructor did not arrange and give those exams. I contacted the school to make arrangements; and, at that point I learned that I am not enrolled; after much investigation I learned that my extension paperwork was not received by the university.
As the instructor continued to grade the assignments and quizzes; and I was sent an e-mail stating the extension was approved; I was not aware that I was dropped from the course. After a series of e-mails to the Assistant Dean of the university (TESU would not allow this complaint to go further than the Assistant Dean) and the veteran’s department at TESU; the assistant dean denied my request for an adequate extension to complete the course as related to medical issues; therefore, by that decision I was unable to complete the mid-term and final; I was given an "F" and lost my veteran's reduced tuition; $750.
I was informed by the Veteran’s Office and the Assistant Dean that my only recourse was to withdraw and to file an appeal requesting a refund. I stated that I did not want to withdraw; the “F” would then stand; I was forced to withdraw. The Veteran's Office at the school was successful in reversing the "F" to a "W"; but was unable to secure a refund. I demanded an appeal and received an anonymous e-mail; no contact person given how to proceed with an appeal. The e-mail instructed to present evidence to support the appeal; when I logged into the university student site to secure evidence; all e-mails and dialogue were taken down.
I responded to the e-mail that had no contract person that the course website was gone; and hence, all supporting evidence. I was informed in an e-mail by this anonymous contact that the site was taken down to protect my privacy; I was then sent a letter stating my tuition would not be returned. I asked in several e-mails how to obtain this evidence; basically I was informed in these unsigned e-mails that it was not of significance to the case that the course website had been removed. The appeals committee chair; Ms. Woodruff continues to remain silent on the issue regarding the removal of the evidence; and, stands by the decision not to refund the $750.
The military reduced tuition should be returned for several reasons:
The university consistently states on their website that it is flexible; will work with the military and the demands of the military; e-mails stating this fact were removed by the university; the student website was taken down along with all the evidence that I could not present in the appeal process.
I was not aware I was dropped from the course; I was not aware that paperwork was not processed; I was sent an e-mail by the instructor stating the extension was granted; this e-mail was contained in the student site that was taken down; 2) the instructor continued to grade all remaining assignments and quizzes; I was not aware of any issues; completed all homework; the university removed the student website as evidence; 3) the university denied my request for an adequate extension as related to the surgical procedures; as I had just completed an additional surgery when these issues arose; and, would need adequate time to heal (supported by medical note); 4) I did not want to withdraw from the course, I wanted to complete the course successfully; was forced to withdraw as I was not granted an adequate extension to complete the mid-term and final; surgical healing.
In conclusion, the successful completion of this course is the preferable goal; however, as such time has transpired the completion of Chemistry 112 mid-term and final exams; would require adequate study and preparation time to successfully take the exams.
My situation is similar to some reports I've read about this institution , I registered for Classes on July 2014 and before the semester started I dropped out due to an emergency . Few months past and registered and again and spent probably a week taking courses but the my daughter got sick and had to drop out , I called the college and explained to them my situation and they said everything was fined . A year after a received a bill for $3499 according to them some fees for dropping out , I've submitted three appeals and all three denied . Don't know what to do they are threating me with collection and can't afford to pay this unfared charge . Please help