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Should I? Or shouldn't I? (issue that involves academia)

Superfly

Superfly

Salty, defiant, and completely non-compliant.
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From Tucson to Tucumcari, Tehachapi to Tonopah
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If you are having a particular problem with someone in administration - someone that you need, do you continually let them cause problems or make things hard for you, or do you go over their heads?

I am having someone at school that is continually screwing up my paperwork, and I got a letter in the mail yesterday that said that I was going to be dropped out of class if I didn't resolve my VA issues.

I RESOLVED MY VA ISSUES IN AUGUST. I even asked the rep and they said that yes, they had everything they needed.

Now here I am at mid-term, and I am getting nastygrams saying I am going to be dropped.

This is not a one-time occurrence. This happens with lots of people. But with me, there's always some kind of drama with my VA payout. Either I'm not drawing enough, or the paperwork isn't sent in at all, or like now, she said she had everything and she doesn't.

Would y'all go over her head to complain? I am already CCing all my emails to her with my AA, just to cover my ass.

I don't want to get anyone in trouble, and I don't want her to retaliate against me.

So frustrated.
 
Superfly said:
If you are having a particular problem with someone in administration - someone that you need, do you continually let them cause problems or make things hard for you, or do you go over their heads?

I am having someone at school that is continually screwing up my paperwork, and I got a letter in the mail yesterday that said that I was going to be dropped out of class if I didn't resolve my VA issues.

I RESOLVED MY VA ISSUES IN AUGUST. I even asked the rep and they said that yes, they had everything they needed.

Now here I am at mid-term, and I am getting nastygrams saying I am going to be dropped.

This is not a one-time occurrence. This happens with lots of people. But with me, there's always some kind of drama with my VA payout. Either I'm not drawing enough, or the paperwork isn't sent in at all, or like now, she said she had everything and she doesn't.

Would y'all go over her head to complain? I am already CCing all my emails to her with my AA, just to cover my ass.

I don't want to get anyone in trouble, and I don't want her to retaliate against me.

So frustrated.
Click to expand...

1. Have you personally met with the school rep., or has all your contact been via email and/or telephone?

a. If so, then make an appointment at the earliest opportunity and bring in ALL of your documentation. Maintain a positive and courteous attitude, like you are helping him/her to help you.

If this is an ongoing/ repetitive problem, discuss exactly what they expect you to do and then contact your VA rep. and see what the issue may be on their end.

b. If not, and you have met with the school rep. in person, if they have been obstructionist and unwilling to work with you, then you should make an appointment with their supervisor.

2. Your attitude and demeanor are important.

Understand that "bureaucrats" have nothing personal against any client unless you create a problem in their eyes. They are just dealing with names on forms, and you are only one of a number of cases they are working on.

One good way is to ensure they see you as someone and not just a voice on a telephone or name on a paper. In a POSITIVE light.

If that doesn't work, up the chain of command.
 
RetiredUSN said:
Check with the Veterans Administration first and see if you are caught up in the back up? They have had problems since March of this year.

https://www.militarytimes.com/educa...cessing-delays-impacting-11000-beneficiaries/
Click to expand...

Well he's already checked with the VA well after this past March (2017):

Superfly said:
I RESOLVED MY VA ISSUES IN AUGUST. I even asked the rep and they said that yes, they had everything they needed.

Now here I am at mid-term, and I am getting nastygrams saying I am going to be dropped.
Click to expand...

Hence, my advice about contacting the school rep. in person, and then going to see the VA rep. with specifics about what needs to be done.

Even if it's only to get a confirmation letter detailing the VA position so he can continue in school. :)
 
Yes, I have been in touch with the VA rep in person, on the phone and in email. I have contacted them with all different mediums.

I don't know what's going on with the rep, but one of my veteran friends, who is full blown PTSD, went ape**** on her last year because she simply was not doing her job, and was causing a delay in his benefits. Now a delay in my benefits is highly annoying, because it's how I pay for my tuition. But my friend? It's how he supported his family.

It's not the VA - has nothing to do with the VA. It's all her.

And yeah, Captain, that's why I said I don't really want to piss them off because of retaliation. But it's getting ridiculous.
 
Superfly said:
If you are having a particular problem with someone in administration - someone that you need, do you continually let them cause problems or make things hard for you, or do you go over their heads?

I am having someone at school that is continually screwing up my paperwork, and I got a letter in the mail yesterday that said that I was going to be dropped out of class if I didn't resolve my VA issues.

I RESOLVED MY VA ISSUES IN AUGUST. I even asked the rep and they said that yes, they had everything they needed.

Now here I am at mid-term, and I am getting nastygrams saying I am going to be dropped.

This is not a one-time occurrence. This happens with lots of people. But with me, there's always some kind of drama with my VA payout. Either I'm not drawing enough, or the paperwork isn't sent in at all, or like now, she said she had everything and she doesn't.

Would y'all go over her head to complain? I am already CCing all my emails to her with my AA, just to cover my ass.

I don't want to get anyone in trouble, and I don't want her to retaliate against me.

So frustrated.
Click to expand...

Superfly said:
Yes, I have been in touch with the VA rep in person, on the phone and in email. I have contacted them with all different mediums.

I don't know what's going on with the rep, but one of my veteran friends, who is full blown PTSD, went ape**** on her last year because she simply was not doing her job, and was causing a delay in his benefits. Now a delay in my benefits is highly annoying, because it's how I pay for my tuition. But my friend? It's how he supported his family.

It's not the VA - has nothing to do with the VA. It's all her.

And yeah, Captain, that's why I said I don't really want to piss them off because of retaliation. But it's getting ridiculous.
Click to expand...

I'm sorry i don't entirely understand your predicament as described, but i thought i would lend what little advice i can gather.

You can either suck it up, or you can choose to assert yourself.

If you choose to assert yourself, i recommend confronting the source of the problem first, rather than going to their supervisor. It is generally a good idea to try to understand that other people have their own problems going on, so try not to take it personally. The approach i like is calm and friendly, while asserting both gently and firmly. Give them every reason to cooperate.

If that interaction goes south with the direct approach, document your interactions in an impersonal tone, and approach the supervisor.

Best of luck!
 
Absentglare said:
I'm sorry i don't entirely understand your predicament as described, but i thought i would lend what little advice i can gather.

You can either suck it up, or you can choose to assert yourself.

If you choose to assert yourself, i recommend confronting the source of the problem first, rather than going to their supervisor. It is generally a good idea to try to understand that other people have their own problems going on, so try not to take it personally. The approach i like is calm and friendly, while asserting both gently and firmly. Give them every reason to cooperate.

If that interaction goes south with the direct approach, document your interactions in an impersonal tone, and approach the supervisor.

Best of luck!
Click to expand...

That's what I have done. I have confronted the VA rep on more than one occasion and nothing has come of it. I just worry about going to their supervisor because I worry about retaliation.
 
Superfly said:
If you are having a particular problem with someone in administration - someone that you need, do you continually let them cause problems or make things hard for you, or do you go over their heads?

I am having someone at school that is continually screwing up my paperwork, and I got a letter in the mail yesterday that said that I was going to be dropped out of class if I didn't resolve my VA issues.

I RESOLVED MY VA ISSUES IN AUGUST. I even asked the rep and they said that yes, they had everything they needed.

Now here I am at mid-term, and I am getting nastygrams saying I am going to be dropped.

This is not a one-time occurrence. This happens with lots of people. But with me, there's always some kind of drama with my VA payout. Either I'm not drawing enough, or the paperwork isn't sent in at all, or like now, she said she had everything and she doesn't.

Would y'all go over her head to complain? I am already CCing all my emails to her with my AA, just to cover my ass.

I don't want to get anyone in trouble, and I don't want her to retaliate against me.

So frustrated.
Click to expand...

I’d go over her head in a minute. I’d even ask her to help me... like, “I’ve been having a continual problem with my VA funding, and I know you’ve done your best. But I can’t tell you how frustrating this has been for me. I want to talk to your supervisor and ask her to wrap her arms around my problem and help all of us wade through the maze this has become.”

And I’d approach the supervisor with those same words. “Can you wrap your arms around this problem and help me out?

That approach has worked for me on many occasions.

I’d suggest you actually write down your problem in a concise set of bullet points so you don’t forget anything or present it in a disorganized confusing way. Be very specific. Keeping past history to a few sentences... “I’ve felt like I’ve had to arm wrestle my way through the VA process for the last X months. It always seems to be something. I don’t know if I’m not understanding the basics or if there’s something wrong with my entire file. Can you help?”
 
Superfly said:
You don't think using the word "supervisor" will set off ringing bells and waving red flags?
Click to expand...

Okay, if bothers you, then add, “I know she has more time than you do. Maybe she can help us both.”

Look, in the end, it’s either a problem with you or a problem with her. If it’s a problem with you? Then she’s been unable to explain herself clearly. If it’s a problem with her? Well, you know the definition of insanity. And maybe VA isn’t her area of expertise...
 
Superfly said:
That's what I have done. I have confronted the VA rep on more than one occasion and nothing has come of it. I just worry about going to their supervisor because I worry about retaliation.
Click to expand...

They seem to have left you with no other option.

I'm not entirely understanding the situation. Could they really retaliate and make your situation significantly worse? I find it hard to believe that a supervisor would simply let that occur, but i have literally no experience with the VA.
 
Absentglare said:
They seem to have left you with no other option.

I'm not entirely understanding the situation. Could they really retaliate and make your situation significantly worse? I find it hard to believe that a supervisor would simply let that occur, but i have literally no experience with the VA.
Click to expand...

They could cause a significant delay in my receiving my benefits. They could just *oops* move my documentation and not find it for a month or so. When I originally filed, I filed in October. I didn't start receiving benefits until January. It usually takes about 30 days from start to finish.
 
Superfly said:
They could cause a significant delay in my receiving my benefits. They could just *oops* move my documentation and not find it for a month or so. When I originally filed, I filed in October. I didn't start receiving benefits until January. It usually takes about 30 days from start to finish.
Click to expand...

What state do you live in?
 
Superfly said:
If you are having a particular problem with someone in administration - someone that you need, do you continually let them cause problems or make things hard for you, or do you go over their heads?

I am having someone at school that is continually screwing up my paperwork, and I got a letter in the mail yesterday that said that I was going to be dropped out of class if I didn't resolve my VA issues.

I RESOLVED MY VA ISSUES IN AUGUST. I even asked the rep and they said that yes, they had everything they needed.

Now here I am at mid-term, and I am getting nastygrams saying I am going to be dropped.

This is not a one-time occurrence. This happens with lots of people. But with me, there's always some kind of drama with my VA payout. Either I'm not drawing enough, or the paperwork isn't sent in at all, or like now, she said she had everything and she doesn't.

Would y'all go over her head to complain? I am already CCing all my emails to her with my AA, just to cover my ass.

I don't want to get anyone in trouble, and I don't want her to retaliate against me.

So frustrated.
Click to expand...



If it's the same person every time, first I would discuss it calmly and logically with that person, through inquiry not admonition ["am I doing something wrong, have I done anything to offend you" and keep notes. If you get nowhere, you go to the next level, but make sure there is contact and ask for an approximate time you will hear back.

Give them three days past that and if you have not heard "we are sorry, this won't happen again" you go directly to the next level. Failing that you call every tv , radio station and newspaper and tell them a vet is getting harassed, show them the paperwork and sit back.

Failing all that move to Canada.
 
Captain Adverse said:
1. Have you personally met with the school rep., or has all your contact been via email and/or telephone?

a. If so, then make an appointment at the earliest opportunity and bring in ALL of your documentation. Maintain a positive and courteous attitude, like you are helping him/her to help you.

If this is an ongoing/ repetitive problem, discuss exactly what they expect you to do and then contact your VA rep. and see what the issue may be on their end.

b. If not, and you have met with the school rep. in person, if they have been obstructionist and unwilling to work with you, then you should make an appointment with their supervisor.

2. Your attitude and demeanor are important.

Understand that "bureaucrats" have nothing personal against any client unless you create a problem in their eyes. They are just dealing with names on forms, and you are only one of a number of cases they are working on.

One good way is to ensure they see you as someone and not just a voice on a telephone or name on a paper. In a POSITIVE light.

If that doesn't work, up the chain of command.
Click to expand...
this is excellent advice
i emphasized an excerpt to suggest that you write down exactly what you were instructed to do to restore your account to compliance in an email to the person who so instructed you, with a cc to your VA contact
in that email, invite the addressee to correct any misinformation found in your email - which then places the onus on them to either contradict the information you have shared or to live with it as being accurate
and then follow thru - together with another cc email when each previously outstanding deliverable has then been fulfilled
in these matters, email is your friend
 
Superfly said:
They could cause a significant delay in my receiving my benefits. They could just *oops* move my documentation and not find it for a month or so. When I originally filed, I filed in October. I didn't start receiving benefits until January. It usually takes about 30 days from start to finish.
Click to expand...

That sounds like the type of *oops* they should get fired over.

They are legally bound to provide the benefits they promised. If i were you, i imagine that i would continue to escalate the situation until it is resolved.
 
Super, you write this woman's supervisor, but you CC up the chain, and you might want to consider sending at least one letter certified, which guarantees attention. Is this woman in Financial Aid? If so, write the person who runs this and copy whoever runs that person, e.g. the Dean of Student Services. Attach copies of all documentation to all.

Or make an appointment with that dean or vice president and bring all your documentation. Find a way to subtly mention your FERPA concerns. Just referring to FERPA will be a heads-up that you know what's what.
 
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