I want to gain readmission back to my initial major accept my old academic advisor keeps telling me no under a department policy.?

Question

How could my old academic advisor not tell me how I can gain readmission back to my initial major accept tell me she's just going by department policy? I'm already trying to schedule an appointment with the department chair, college associate dean, and university provost to settle my situation. I've already had someone told me that my old advisor may not know the answers to my questions and faculty members and advisors don't have the authority to grant you readmission, and may not even be aware of the requirements for readmission. Also, for this reason, this is why I am told to see the department chair, dean, or associate dean. Because this "someone" here had told me that my old advisor in a way may not know everything, this person is also a director of advising and knows enough to know that there are tons factors that go into readmission. He or she also says that other departments use staff advisors, and they are also not given such latitude. In the end, I was told that speaking to someone higher up is to your benefit, as they are the ones who know the details and can make the decisions. Another suggestion that was made by that "someone" said that I should provide them with the necessary or requested documentation for review. What other insights can you give me?

Update:

I meant "except" not accept

Anonymous · Answer

It's probably because you don't know the difference between "except" and "accept".

Sam Spayed · Answer

Given a list of college policies, some allow exceptions; others do not. Some academic officials have the authority to make exceptions (to those policies that allow them); others do not. The college policies, the exceptions, and the authority to make exceptions should all be spelled out in your student handbook. Departmental policies may be more difficult to find.

Typically, college advisors have no authority to make an exception to college, or departmental, policy. Their primary function is tell students what classes they need to take and when to take them to graduate on time.

If your advisor tells you that it is against departmental policy to allow readmission into their major, ask what policy prohibits this, and ask them to provide a copy (or direct you to where it may be found on the college or departmental web site).

Read the policy carefully; see what exceptions are allowed, and then follow the process to request an exception.

If the advisor cannot find the policy they're quoting, or the policy does not outline an exception protocol, make an appointment with the Department Chair to discuss the issue and to request an exception.

You should prepare for your conversation with the Department Chair. Have a copy of your transcript available to assure them that your GPA exceeds the minimum for admission to the major, if it's competitive. Be prepared to talk about why you want to be admitted into the major, plans for an independent research project, and what career path you expect to follow.

Contact the Dean only if the Department chair says no, and contact the Provost only if the Dean also says no. Your best bet is the Department Chair (99 times out of 100, the higher officials will just "rubber-stamp" their decision).

Anonymous · Answer

The higher you can go, the more likely you are to get solid answers.  Advisors are low on the totem pole, even if they are also faculty members.  They probably can't make you any promises.

CarolOkla · Answer

Ditto on the first answer. The staff member I talked?about in my first answer eventually became the equivalent of an associate dean in that college before She retired and the college was no longer a college. It was replaced by a different college.

You are mixing up 2 different answers.

Kelley · Answer

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I want to gain readmission back to my initial major accept my old academic advisor keeps telling me no under a department policy.?

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