Open University - Deadline typo leads to fail

johndoh

Hey there. I haven't been using MSE for long and thus haven't contributed much towards the forums, but was wondering if people could give me some advice on something that happened to me after studying with the Open University.

I done a course approx 2 years ago and followed all documentation to the letter. I had everything prepared and was well aware of all my course deadlines. So i finished the course within what was stated on a pdf file that i had downloaded, the biggest problem was the fact that they changed this deadline without me being aware and so i submitted my course work only 1 day after the new proposed deadline. I became aware of this when i started to read the course forums and become really worried. I then emailed my tutor and the Open University about the situation, which gave me no luck. I was basically told that i'd have to make an appeal to rectify the problem, but i responded and told them that this was their mistake and they better sort it, i just didn't have the time to sort the problem, because i was about to go on holiday. Weeks go past and i get sent a letter to say that i had failed.


I know i have delayed to sort this situation for awhile, but what kind of rights do i have. I have an admission of guilt, but how many years of information do business' need to keep, as i might have to obtained proof. Would i have to take this to a small claims court? If anyone can help i'd be enternally thankful.



Here is a letter i recieved about the situation:
**********************************************************
Dear Mr Scott

I am writing in reply to your email about your ***** result.

I understand that an incorrect pdf document was issued to students, but that
this error was notified to students via the First Class conference on 16th
October 2004 and corrected on 18th October 2004. This was approximately 9 weeks
before the cut-off date. I am aware that the course materials recommended that
students check the course conference at least twice a week, therefore this was
ample time for you to pick up the amended pdf document.

As you are aware, we do not accept appeals later than four weeks after the
results are issued. Indeed, the University does not have the resource to retain
documents and information indefinitely in case of queries in future years. At
this late stage there is nothing further that I can do to change your course
result.

I am sorry that I am unable to help you further.

Yours sincerely


Mrs JM Bull
Head of Examinations and Assessment
*********************************************************

Count_Dante

The Small Claims Court do not help with university course issues, only with breaches of contract. If you had appealed, I can imagine they would have looked at the issue sympathetically. The "they had better sort it, it's their fault" attitude was the wrong course of action, and was frankly daft. Given the contents of the letter you received, I don't think you have a leg to stand on.

mountainofdebt

To be honest I think you would have had more of a chance of sorting this out if a) you had not taken the attitude you took (there's nothing like being rude to make people unhelpful even if they could do something for you) and more importantly b) you hadn't left it so long before dealing with.

Why didn't you appeal at the time?

johndoh

"Why didn't you appeal at the time?"

Good question. I just didn't think it would turn out this way. I'm really at the mercy of someone elses mistake. I did send multiple emails to both the Open University and to my course tutor and their attitude was like they didn't give a sh**. When i emailed the course tutor before he didn't even acknowledge that their was a mistake made by staff. I do feel like i should do something though, any more suggestions. Thanks for the replies.

brazilianwax

You are outside the appeal timescale and I presume didn't follow it anyway.

I don't see what more you can do.

johndoh

There must be something that i can do, this is a business which i have paid my hard earned money to. I never appealed because this isn't my fault. Is there some sort of Education Regulator that i can seek information from?

I appreciate your help.

dmg24

johndoh wrote: »

There must be something that i can do, this is a business which i have paid my hard earned money to. I never appealed because this isn't my fault. Is there some sort of Education Regulator that i can seek information from?

I appreciate your help.

The university has an appeals procedure for exactly this situation, and you chose not to use it.

If you were charged with a crime which you were not guilty of, would you just ignore it until you were sent to prison?!

brazilianwax

johndoh wrote: »

There must be something that i can do, this is a business which i have paid my hard earned money to. I never appealed because this isn't my fault. Is there some sort of Education Regulator that i can seek information from?

I appreciate your help.

That's the point of an appeal!!!

Why wait 2 years too do anything about it??

One of my lecturers went walkies with my final economics assignment some years ago - I only found out when I rang the college to find out why I hadn't received my marks.

When they told me there was an assignment missing, I told them it had been completed and submitted, and faxed it to them within an hour or so.

It ended up delaying me completing the course formally, and if I had done nothing I would technically have failed. Sometimes you have to help people to help you rather than throwing your toys out of the pram.

Maybe a more politely worded letter, asking for their help (rather than demanding) would get you a better result, but I can't see you getting what you want when you've waited so long.

calleyw

seems like you where to lazy to keep up with the first class conferences.

It does tell you plainly that it is up to you find out the due dates and when exams are. So it was your fault.

Also another good reason to get your assignments in at least a day early.

And I do know what I am talking about as I am studying for a degree with the OU.


Yours

Calley

johndoh

Ok. Thanks for your help. Looks like i can't do anything. Maybe i'll try to be more polite.

I'm not lazy, cheeky!

soolin

I do have concerns that you appear to have not followed advice in two separate areas, firstly by keeping abreast of the class conference which it appeared they suggested you did twice a week. Since the date was changed 9 weeks before the cut off, following their advice would have given you 18 opportunities to see the change of date.

Then to add to the problem you failed to register a complaint within the given frame work.

One error is unfortunate, two is worrying three is beginning to look like negligence on your behalf.

As per your last post, be reasonable and polite, see if you can set up a meeting with someone to talk through your circumstances in a rational way. However be prepared for them to say no.