Letter to the editor: Dude, where's my $250?
Dear Editor:
I would like to tell you my story about how I lost $250. It probably sounds like I'm complaining or whining but - I've been explaining this whole situation to many people and they also think it's unfair.
Here's how the story goes.
In 2008, I applied and was ACCEPTED in a post secondary program at Fanshawe College. I was happy and hopeful, but my feelings soon turned to ANGER.
The day the class started, I was informed that I wasn't able to start the program because I didn't have enough mathematics qualifications. So, here is my first question: Why couldn't they have informed me about the math criteria when I applied to the program in the first place? And why wasn't I informed that I couldn't begin the program before the course started?
I had applied to take the course at least six months before the course was to start, so I had plenty of time to get my math upgraded. However, they didn't inform me, so I wasn't able to upgrade my math because I wasn't informed.
In the end, I was forced to withdraw my application because I had to take a mathematic course in order to qualify for the program next semester. I asked Fanshawe to refund my tuition fee, which they did, except for $250 because it's their policy. I could understand or could have understood their policy if it had been my fault; however, it was Fanshawe's fault. I didn't want to cancel the program but I had to cancel because they didn't inform me early enough. Later, I met several people at Fanshawe to get my $250 back, but all I heard was “it's our policy.” And all I kept saying was, “I didn't want to cancel the program and it's not my fault.” Therefore, my second question is: Shouldn't Fanshawe make an exception to this policy, especially when “they” make the mistake?
I'm not trying to blame anyone for making a mistake because anyone can make mistakes. However, it doesn't seem right that I was punished for not making a mistake in this situation. “Whether or not, I remain as a victim.” Who should I blame in this case? Canada?
Finally, after many conversations with the staff in the admission's office, I gave up my fight to get my money back. My only consolation was that they said I could use the $250 the next time I applied to a program. At this moment, I do remember that they said I could use the money if I reapply, but it is possible that I could have misunderstood because I couldn't have even imagined that the $250 would be gone forever. Two hundred and fifty dollars IS NOT SMALL MONEY ESPECIALLY FOR STUDENTS. I thought I could use the money if I reapplied to a program just like a deposit.
Recently, I again applied to a program at Fanshawe. After I applied through OSCA, I went to the register's office at Fanshawe and I asked them if I could use my $250. They said, “No, your money is gone.”
Here's my last question, how can $250 just be gone?
I'm sure it's a policy, but where has my money gone? When a student reapplies, shouldn't Fanshawe allow that student to use the original deposit? All they told me was the money was gone, and they didn't know where the money had gone.
I'm not trying to get my money back because I want to buy something or waste it on something foolish. All I want is to use my money to help pay my tuition. I can't just give it up. It is TOO BIG TO LOSE. Most of all, I didn't do anything wrong. What did I do wrong to get a $250 fine?
Eun Joong (E.J) Kim
Editorial opinions or comments expressed in this online edition of Interrobang newspaper reflect the views of the writer and are not those of the Interrobang or the Fanshawe Student Union. The Interrobang is published weekly by the Fanshawe Student Union at 1001 Fanshawe College Blvd., P.O. Box 7005, London, Ontario, N5Y 5R6 and distributed through the Fanshawe College community. Letters to the editor are welcome. All letters are subject to editing and should be emailed. All letters must be accompanied by contact information. Letters can also be submitted online by clicking here.
I would like to tell you my story about how I lost $250. It probably sounds like I'm complaining or whining but - I've been explaining this whole situation to many people and they also think it's unfair.
Here's how the story goes.
In 2008, I applied and was ACCEPTED in a post secondary program at Fanshawe College. I was happy and hopeful, but my feelings soon turned to ANGER.
The day the class started, I was informed that I wasn't able to start the program because I didn't have enough mathematics qualifications. So, here is my first question: Why couldn't they have informed me about the math criteria when I applied to the program in the first place? And why wasn't I informed that I couldn't begin the program before the course started?
I had applied to take the course at least six months before the course was to start, so I had plenty of time to get my math upgraded. However, they didn't inform me, so I wasn't able to upgrade my math because I wasn't informed.
In the end, I was forced to withdraw my application because I had to take a mathematic course in order to qualify for the program next semester. I asked Fanshawe to refund my tuition fee, which they did, except for $250 because it's their policy. I could understand or could have understood their policy if it had been my fault; however, it was Fanshawe's fault. I didn't want to cancel the program but I had to cancel because they didn't inform me early enough. Later, I met several people at Fanshawe to get my $250 back, but all I heard was “it's our policy.” And all I kept saying was, “I didn't want to cancel the program and it's not my fault.” Therefore, my second question is: Shouldn't Fanshawe make an exception to this policy, especially when “they” make the mistake?
I'm not trying to blame anyone for making a mistake because anyone can make mistakes. However, it doesn't seem right that I was punished for not making a mistake in this situation. “Whether or not, I remain as a victim.” Who should I blame in this case? Canada?
Finally, after many conversations with the staff in the admission's office, I gave up my fight to get my money back. My only consolation was that they said I could use the $250 the next time I applied to a program. At this moment, I do remember that they said I could use the money if I reapply, but it is possible that I could have misunderstood because I couldn't have even imagined that the $250 would be gone forever. Two hundred and fifty dollars IS NOT SMALL MONEY ESPECIALLY FOR STUDENTS. I thought I could use the money if I reapplied to a program just like a deposit.
Recently, I again applied to a program at Fanshawe. After I applied through OSCA, I went to the register's office at Fanshawe and I asked them if I could use my $250. They said, “No, your money is gone.”
Here's my last question, how can $250 just be gone?
I'm sure it's a policy, but where has my money gone? When a student reapplies, shouldn't Fanshawe allow that student to use the original deposit? All they told me was the money was gone, and they didn't know where the money had gone.
I'm not trying to get my money back because I want to buy something or waste it on something foolish. All I want is to use my money to help pay my tuition. I can't just give it up. It is TOO BIG TO LOSE. Most of all, I didn't do anything wrong. What did I do wrong to get a $250 fine?
Eun Joong (E.J) Kim
Editorial opinions or comments expressed in this online edition of Interrobang newspaper reflect the views of the writer and are not those of the Interrobang or the Fanshawe Student Union. The Interrobang is published weekly by the Fanshawe Student Union at 1001 Fanshawe College Blvd., P.O. Box 7005, London, Ontario, N5Y 5R6 and distributed through the Fanshawe College community. Letters to the editor are welcome. All letters are subject to editing and should be emailed. All letters must be accompanied by contact information. Letters can also be submitted online by clicking here.
