I have one foot out the door with higher education, and I want to be very, brutally transparent with you. I want to give each and every one of you a word of advice from someone who’s been on the inside for a long time.
Do not, at any point, allow a university to try to “resolve” an issue with you over the phone. I’m not talking about minor technical difficulties or any question with an answer that can be read on their website--of course those can be had over the phone. I’m not talking about questions like, “How many hours do I still need to complete my degree?” or, “What kind of jobs could I get with this degree?” Those too can be had over the phone.
I am speaking specifically in terms of anything that might bring policy or finances into question. I realize a lot of you will already know this, but I also want young adults (eighteen or so) who may not yet have had the life experience from either end to understand that the minute you surrender to a phone conversation, you sacrifice evidence to the content of that exchange. It’s their word versus yours. That university--not you--loses accountability.
You will not be let off the same hook.
I’ve had a couple of people try this with me, and it never works. The reason for that is rather depressing: when you have as many years as I’ve had dwelling in games and corruption, the tricks geared towards rookies don’t work.
Not every university official is out to get you or screw you over--that is far from the truth. There are many who genuinely want to help you, and who have your best interests at heart.
But don’t let anyone take those conversations to a phone or virtual call, because you just might not be talking to one of those well-meaning folks. You want written exchanges.
