Academic Dismissal notice sent to students in error.

By Davaughnia Wilson | Published March 3, 2023

Pride. That’s what I feel every day as I commute to Kean University. Knowing that I have accomplished much more than I could ever imagine and that I have been a stellar student. 

That pride was replaced by fear for just a split second when I received an email from the Dean’s Office, College of Liberal Arts. In the subject line, there it was, “academic dismissal update.” 

The email sent on Feb. 9, stated that after reviewing my latest academic record, it indicated that I have not maintained “the standards of academic performance necessary to continue study at Kean University.”

That for me was hilarious. I just shrugged.

I have maintained a stellar GPA while studying at Kean while taking five or six classes each semester ending with a 4.00 or a 3.86. My current cumulative GPA is 3.94 so I knew it was impossible for me to be dismissed for not meeting academic requirements. 

I knew that the email was sent to me by error but it was startling nonetheless. 

My time at Kean University is coming to an end and that email allowed me to reflect on the last four years and the sacrifices that I have made to accomplish my goals in and outside of the classroom. 

I recall the fall semester of my freshman year in 2019 I would stay up until 3 a.m. sometimes 4 a.m. studying and completing assignments so I wouldn’t fall behind. I ended the semester with a 4.0 and a letter from the Dean’s office stating that I made the Dean’s List.

That was a huge accomplishment for me and I made it my mission that every semester I would get that letter. And at the end of every semester,  just like clockwork, I got it.  

Less than a month into my final semester at Kean, and just eight days after being appointed to the Dean’s List I was hit with a dismissal notice.

 I was startled and blinded by the “academic dismissal update” that I overlooked all the errors in the email. 

The first one was the subject line, “College of Business and Public Administration Academic Dismissal Update” and the second was the date the email was addressed, “June 22, 2022.”

I think it’s fair to say that once you see the words “academic dismissal” you start to worry and forget to pay close attention to details. At least, that’s how it was for me. I was immensely terrified by the email and what it meant for my future. 

I quickly responded to the email explaining that I was in fact not a student in the College of Business and Public Administration and that the email was sent to me in error. Shortly after, I received an email that the dismissal email was sent to me in error.

In my email, I copied my academic advisor, the department of Communication, Media, and Journalism as well as the appeals office and I attached my academic transcript. 

While attaching my academic transcript I no longer felt defeated. I felt powerful and I felt proud. I worked tirelessly these last four years and at that moment, I understood what it felt like to have my work speak for itself. 

I am not sure how it occurred or why I received the email but I am glad it was sent in error. 

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