<p>I have asked this before, but never really got a response. I am so disgruntled with my son's college, that I truly want to get word out how awful it has been for him mainly, and me when trying to correct problems. Is there a forum or better business bureau for universities and colleges? I am just at a loss, and want answers. thanks.</p>
<p>There is no BBB for colleges. However, some disgruntled parents/students have posted their concerns here on CC. If you do this, however, be aware that the college officials may see your post -- which might be an advantage or disadvantage depending on how they react.</p>
<p>Some parents/students also take their complaints to their campus' student press or to the professional media in their college's area.</p>
<p>If you post here without identifying details such as the college's name, you also may get some helpful advice about resolving the problem.</p>
<p>Well, an awful lot of people read CC - far more than the number who post, so you could post some concerns here. It may be very useful to some people. Perhaps as NSM said you could disguise some of the specific details to prevent identification of your son, if that is possible?</p>
<p>Amith, I recall your previous posts about J&W. Nothing has improved since then? I think posting on web sites like CC is probably the best way to get the word out but you should be prepared that some parents (and prospective students) might disagree with you. However, I personally think this sort of information is very useful. Even if a student decides to go to a particular school after hearing of someone's negative experience, at least they go understanding some of the potential pitfalls.</p>
<p>things really haven't gotten better, in fact when my son's room mate brought ETOH into the dorm, and I insisted on a room change, as did my son, they still have not changed it, after months. Last time I called, I was told I was "tiresome". Believe me, it gets tiresome having to make multiple phone calls form work to fix one problem. It's just very frustrating. Now my son doesn't want to go back to college at all next year. He has just had it. and honestly, so have I.</p>
<p>Forgive me, Amith -- but what does ETOH stand for? I can't believe that someone actually called a parent "tiresome." I don't blame your son for not wanting to go back - from what I recall it sounded awful (I actually have not recommended it here on CC since). Is he looking to transfer? In any case, I'm so sorry to hear about this.</p>
<p>EtOH--ethyl alcohol</p>
<p>Thanks Dmd. I guess I am really sheltered because I never heard of that abbreviation. Amith, again, my sympathies --- hope you and your son will come to a happy decision.</p>
<p>The problems you mention seem pretty ordinary and could happen anywhere. Perhaps not the way you were treated - but lots of kids have roommate problems and roommates who drink, no school will release grades or health information to parents (even tho you're paying the bill), and it's also common for universities not to provide 4 years of housing. I don't know the first thing about Johnson and Wales -- maybe it is exceptionally bad -- but you're bound to be disappointed if you expect your son to find the perfect roommate in a completely alcohol-free environment. Even officially "dry" campuses have problems with alcohol. Has your son tried to resolve his problems by himself? A lot of schools take the position that allowing students to take responsibility for resolving problems is part of their social development.</p>
<p>He has tried to resolve his problems, and when he got nowhere I stepped in. The problems I see are the differences between what was promised when we were choosing a college, and what we actually got. I completely agree that my son needs to take care of problems and stand up for himself, but when nobody listens he is too young to truly understand how to take it to that next level that we as adults are very willing to do on our children's behalf. Yes, having called this college many times I am immediately hit with defensiveness and posturing, even before they hear my name. Having gone to 2 colleges myself, and my husband also, I have just never experienced such lack of caring, excuse making and inability to relate with parents or students. I don't know if the worst of their staff were sent to this new campus, or all their campuses are alike, but the lack of accountability is staggering. I understand the start up of a new campus must be awesome, and to hear things like "yes, we are having problems, we are trying to resolve them quickly" would be understood by me. But "nobody else is complaining, (when I hear from a few willing to speak up that there are many complaints), or "we made you aware that there would be no housing for upperclassmen" when many parents are up in arms that we were never told and made no plans for this is just unprofessional and silly, (among the many other complaints and excuses heard). oh well, thanks for listening all. Hopefully I can get my son to return to their rhode island campus and at least get his assoc degree. I don't think courses like "soups and sauces" will transfer anywhere.</p>
<p>I truly feel for you Amith. I think I would be reacting exactly the same way you are if a school was so unresponsive. It's not the initial problems that would get under my skin - it's the way the school seems to be reacting. YUCK!</p>
<p>I don't know if this is any help or not, but one of my roommates had problems with her old roommates (drinking in the room and whatnot), and she was told if she found a place on campus to move to, she could.. and one of my roommates graduated, so I invited her to live here.. Is there anyway your son could find an empty room and move into that?</p>
<p>he actually did have a person they were going to put him in with, my son made contact with the other student and told the dorm advisor that yes, he would move in with this person. nothing. my son has made several contacts to the advisor, reminding him. nothing. I finally made contact, told him to move my son. nothing. essentially that's pretty much how the problem solving is done. nothing. you know, I was so excited to have my son go to this school, brand new, beautiful, in a beautiful town, promised the world etc. My plan is when I go to pick my son up for the summer, to schedule a meeting with the president of the college and just to make myself feel better, review with him, with my son present so the college can't play us against each other, (which they do), all the problems since day 1. Yes carolyn, I am not so upset about the problems, those you will have. it has been the way I have been treated, a 43 year old professional person, educated, with valid complaints, not just a mother who is making mountains out of molehills and can't let go. and to literally just see the spirit crushed out of my son regarding this education is reprehensible. my son called, he returned to school to find his shoes that he has to wear with his uniform gone. so he had to take the little money I was able to give him and replace them. ok, a little thing, shoes stolen. but again, when he complained to the dorm advisor, a person hired by the school to supervise, nothing. "it happens". along with the wash pass that was stolen, the money out of his wallet as he slept, food etc. so he has no privacy or safety in his own room, that by the way costs $11,000 a school year. it's just depressing. my daughter is a senior next year, I now know what questions to ask, and what to look for.</p>
<p>re: transfer - he could look into a school like the Culinary Institute of America, if he doesn't want to go to J&W's RI campus.</p>
<p>Also U of Del has a hospitality/food type program; and also the College at Walnut Hill (culinary school in Phila.)</p>
<p>I'm not sure I understand why he's staying through the end of the semester. If I thought an institution was crushing my child's spirit, I'd take him out and worry about the money later -- especially as you don't think the credits will transfer. What's the point?<br>
But assuming that you've decided to let him stick it out... if you're suggesting that your son's roommate stole the shoes and money, then your son should go to the administration and demand a switch. And he should do this every day until they comply. He should talk to the Housing Director or VP of Student Affairs -- not his Resident Advisor, who is probably just another kid who took the job for the free room and board. The very best solution would be for your son to figure this out by himself.</p>
<p>topcat, in a perfect world, where between my son and I shelling out $30,000 would be nothing, I would have pulled him out about 2 weeks after he started there, realizing we had made a horrible mistake. but you know, the ole "it takes a year to adjust and find your way" yada yada, I just kept giving him pep talks. The roommate issue, we have gone to every VP at the college, the president isn't accessible, at least not by me. Nobody cares. (we don't even bother with the resident advisor anymore, as you said he's just a kid who has no power). We have compensated by bringing him home often, he and his roommate try to keep opposite schedules, and I am hoping that over the summer we will both figure this out. He has to finish the year, or it was for nothing. He will survive and recover, but it was something that didn't need to happen the way it did. I know he has to figure things out for himself. And he has with some things, and will continue to grow. But he is young, as are most college kids, and they need guidance and help. That's my job. And it will be my job to step back eventually and say go to it kid. But at many stages in my life I have needed help from my parents, even now in my 40's. and I am glad they do, rather than just give the ole stock phrase I keep hearing from J and W, "he's a grown up now, he has to figure it out on his own". He's of legal age for some things, but he's not a full fledged grown up yet, he is in a new environment, not sure of his boundaries and limitations, or his abilities and opportunities. My son did go to the housing director daily for a while, as I directed him to. didn't work. Then I started calling daily, hence the "tiresome" comment. This is why I would so much like to be able to get the word out about this school; to ensure somebody else doesn't shell out the kind of money it takes to go there, then realize the kids are completely on their own, no guidance or direction, (my son has never met or has a conversation with his culinary advisor, despite several requests for same). Like I said, this is not what I experienced at college, and this is not what my colleagues are experiencing with their kids, (I work with 40 women, several of whom sent kids off this year). It will eventually all work out somehow and be said and done. again, I thank all for their advice and comments.</p>
<p>Amith, please don't feel you have to defend yourself. I agree with you: even though kids are "on their own" when they get to college it doesn't mean that parents shouldn't intervene when necessary. My best to you - keep us informed on what your son decides about next year.</p>
<p>Amith - I find it very surprising that you have made as much effort as you have with no result. I work at a large, bureaucratic university - and I've never heard of such a thing. If you can't get to the president, try the Trustees.</p>
<p>thanks carolyn, and topcat. topcat, that is why I am so frustrated. to call and email and write letters and have meetings, only to have the finger pointed at my son and I as the people who aren't doing anything right. it's all our fault. I went to a state school, large, (I don't know about bureaucratic!), but we had our smaller nursing department, and they took care of us as students, they ensured that they met with us before scheduling classes, even went to kids dorms if they weren't showing up for class to make sure they were ok. this to me is just unbelievable, so I can understand why you are thinking it is surprising. Imagine my surprise, $30,000 worth of misery. but again, it will work out, the way that it should, and my son will eventually get on the right track. thanks again, and the trustees is a good idea. How do you get in touch with them?</p>
<p>RE; trustees. Check the college catalog. Should have a listing of the Board of Trustees. Many of them may also be in education with their colllege listed. Otherwise, you might have to do an internet search once you have the name to find a company address.</p>