RETURNED TO SENDER
After enduring four years of gruelling tests, AP courses, high school drama and all the other attempts to stand out in the college admissions battle, 520 students already admitted to UCSC received news last week that their admission was revoked because of a missed deadline.
While “senioritis” has led many to pretend that “senior year really does matter,” as UCSC Associate Vice Chancellor of Enrollment Management Michelle Whittingham puts it, this year’s number of rescissions is at an all-time time high—up from 218 in 2014, and 103 in 2013. Students are furious.
The deadline to turn in a final official transcript of high school grades and courses was, until 2013, July 14. In 2014, it switched to July 1.
Once a student accepts their place at UCSC—or any other UC—they agree to a conditions contract that stipulates their transcript needs be physically in the admissions office by July 1, and if they fail to meet any of the conditions, their admission will be revoked.
Having it postmarked July 1 and arriving a few days later does not cut it.
Some students, like Garrett Harrison, say that the fault lies with their high school. Every student from his district, the Huntington Beach Union High School District, was rescinded because their transcripts weren’t postmarked until July 1, he says, because contractually, their teachers have until June 29 to submit final grades. Now, each student from the six district schools has to appeal.
And that’s after a representative from the district notified the entire UC system about their June 29 deadline. Somewhere down the line, however, UCSC didn’t get the memo.
The good news is, if they can prove that the missed deadline was out of their control, Whittingham says, students’ appeals will be accepted and admission reinstated.
That doesn’t take away from the shock—as well as confusion with housing placement and class scheduling—that comes with receiving that rescission letter, says Harrison (no relation to the author).
The UC moved its July transcript deadline forward largely for that reason—so that rescinded students have time to find a Plan B before fall begins, says Whittingham.
Having the whole system run electronically would make it easier, she says, but they’re not there yet and unfortunately mistakes do sometimes occur.
“We communicate early and often,” says Whittingham. “We understand, and in no way take lightly the impact on students and families.” ANNE-MARIE HARRISON
BANKS FOR THE MEMORIES
The drama’s over for the activists who occupied a vacant Wells Fargo building in November 2014. The protesters took the building on River Street in a protest that was an offshoot of the Occupy Santa Cruz encampment in San Lorenzo Park. Dozens entered, and the District Attorney’s office charged 11, who came to be known as the Santa Cruz 11.
Several defendants have had charges dismissed, and the remaining four accepted a plea deal last week. As part of the deal, the four must pay $1,720 in restitution and fines, serve 18 months probation, do 100 hours of community service, and stay away from the empty bank. JACOB PIERCE
