Who is the top official at a Private University?

Question

I need help. i am in college and i took out an extra amount of money on my loan so i can pay for my books for summer school and the following semester. Well, my schools business office is giving me the run around and keep transfering my calls or hanging up on me. I've talked to the business office manager and he was no help. he hung up on me and his voice mail is full. I am so fed up. i wanted to know who do you complain to about this situation. should i complian to the school Dean or President? Has anyone gotten there finacial aid refund and how long did it take? it's been three weeks. summer school is starting soon so, I need MY MONEY. Thanks for the Help :-)

Answer 1

The top official at any school is the president.  But calling them isn't going to help you.  You will have better luck calling the financial aid office rather than dealing with the business office.  That offices main purpose is taking your money!  Many folks don't get fin aid dispersed until after the semester has started, often because of missing paperwork from the student.  Be sure it's not something you need to do.

Answer 2

Although I do not know the University at which you are enrolled or its organization chart or your exact situation, my recommendation is that you attempt to make an appointment to meet with the University's chief student affairs officer.  This person often carries the title "Dean of Students" or "Vice President for Student Affairs."  You want a brief meeting rather than a telephone conversation.

The title of the top administrative official at a private university is typically either President or Chancellor.  You might try to make an appointment to meet with him/her; but I would first attempt to meet with the "Dean of Students"/"Vice President for Student Affairs."

A few more bits of advice:  

*Prepare a written statement of the facts as you know them; attach to it photocopies of all relevant documents; and make clear precisely what you want/need.  *Do NOT include your opinions of other administrators, even if you believe that they have been unfair or rude.  Get your problem solved -- You can complain about "the run around" later.

*This written material will be useful to you when meeting with these officials because you can (and should) provide this packet of materials before your meeting(s).  Thus, you avoid the vagaries of private conversation, and you permit the person(s) with whom you meet to learn (perhaps fix) what is broken beforehand.  

*Further, if one or both is unavailable for a meeting, instead of using the telephone, you can mail the packet of material to one or both.  In my experience, the telephone is the least personal medium when YOU need something; and even the most artful dodger has more difficulty avoiding a carefully crafted written request, accompanied by photocopies of relevant documents, than avoiding a commitment to meet.

* Does your institution have an Ombudsperson / Ombudsman

/ Ombuds Office?  If so, use that office before attempting to communicate with the administrators noted above.  Such an office tends to be more open and "user friendly" than the upper echelons of the administration and the members of the staff usually know "the administrative players."

Good Luck!!