Still no degree 8 years later….

There is something very wrong when this many of us have had this problem….

Here is my story in brief:

I transferred to FWP as a sophomore. After 3 years with FWP with some very difficult experiences while attending (leaving me with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) I have yet to graduate. I had an advisor my senior semester that had no experience working with a seniors.

My final semester the LAC approved a field project for me in Guatemala. I went and tried to carry out field research just one year after the war had ended and was told by the US embassy to go back to Costa Rica for safety reasons. I received no support to finish my project/thesis even after staying on for 3 months after my last semester trying to finish up. This was a huge let down and continues to this day to affect me emotionally and professionally.

I secured a lawyer and tried to confront LIU in 1999-2000. They did not respond and I did not have the energy or resources to fight. Then when Robert Glass became Dean I requested a meeting with him. I met with him 2 years ago and told him my whole story including being sexually assaulted while in care of the school (which was swept under the rug with many others). I received no emotional support, which led to PTSD. Then being sent into very unsafe conditions in Guatemala greatly aggravated my PTSD. After my best efforts to graduate I did not. At the time Dean Glass seemed understanding and sympathetic (while not admitting any wrong doing on the part of FWP). We discussed how I could graduate and agreed that I write up 30 pages.

I started on the topic of ‘Student Safety” which we discussed at the meeting was a “theme” in my FWP years. When I started it brought back the trauma I had experienced unnecessarily. I shut down emotionally and went on with my life. Then a few months ago I contacted Dean Glass and said I was ready to write but not on student safety issues. I was essentially told it was too late and the only option I have is to pay for an advising semester or move to NYC for a capstone semester! At age 30 with $37,000.00 in student loans this is not even a possibility nor should I have to pay for what I never received to begin with!

I was told that I could petition World Council if I disagreed. Well, it turns out that not only is Dean Glass a part of World Council so is the advisor that did not support me back in 1998. So there is no way I could have a fresh review of my situation.

I have no words to tell you how horrible all this has been. Yes, I have some good memories of FWP but until this is settled I feel I am stuck emotionally and professionally. It limits my ability to go on to graduate school and how do I explain at interviews why I did not graduate? Bottom line is I should not have to and this is a really unjust situation. How ironic is this for a school focused on Social Justice. What would the founders of Friends World have thought of this?

So this sharing was prompted by reading of others not finishing and having to pay even more to do so. If anyone has any feedback that is personal you can email me at alexandramello@comcast.net

I was a Friends Worlder who went on to finish at Evergreen too (class of 2000). They accepted all my credits no questions asked and let me graduate in one year. It was nice to be in one spot and have a kitchen for a little bit after so much traveling. The scenery was nice too! Maybe Friends World and Evergreen should have partnered up instead of the FWC - LIU alliance. Their educational philosophies are so much more in line.

I just received a letter in the mail saying that indeed I have graduated from Friends World. It's not the official diploma or anything, but at least I have documentation for the lawyers...hopefully it won't come to that. I have LOVED FW because I did all independent study, never even meeting my advisor or more than 10 other students. It has worked for me. I would even continue with the format if they had a PhD program, but there sure are negatives for all the freedom, mainly dealing with the administration.