One of my daughters is slated to graduate in December of this year from a Catholic college. Although she has basically enjoyed her time there, we have run into a few things that would have made us think twice about sending her there . . . if we had known. They are prone to changing policy with insufficient note to the students. Because of a tight budget, my daughter had been staying on campus during the annual Spring Breaks. Last Spring, she got four days notice that they had 'changed the policy' and students would no longer be allowed to stay there during the break. Have you ever tried to get a flight during Spring Break when every college student in American is trying to get home or somewhere to celebrate the vacation? The only flight home we could find for her cost $1,000 for the round trip when the usual fair would have been under $200. Sure saved some money that year, didn't we?
Now, she has been informed that December graduating seniors will not be allowed to remain on campus. The reason? Because when they leave in December, it leaves empty places in the living quarters and takes away from the 'community spirit'! Huh? Isn't banning students from campus living taking away their 'community spirit'? The policy sounds like our federal government these days; "Sure you pay and support us but we won't be seeing to your needs."
The college has also changed policy on graduation requirements which might further prevent my daughter from graduating. She is having a meeting today about this and I'm praying they 'grandfather' in the students caught in the middle on this but it doesn't look hopeful. You have to wonder if this is their way to get an extra semester of tuition out of us if she has to go beyond December to get her degree.
Oh, and the college is in a small town so finding an off-campus place could be up to a mile or more away and she and her friend do not have a car plus both sets of parents don't really have the money to pay $500 or more a month for off-campus accommodations.
Anyone with students checking out colleges had better see how much they can get down in writing about how things will actually be when their child heads into their senior year and graduation.
As you can imagine, we are upset and worried that after taking out loans and making payments on a good education, my daughter may walk away from there without a diploma.
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