Legal Question in Civil Litigation in Illinois

University withholding transcripts

Is it legal for a university to withhold your transcripts? I attended a university and they misplace scholarship and financial aid paperwork and decided to charge me. I accepted the responsibility and started making payments in good faith. A university employee constantly called me at work and caused a hostile environement. I wrote letters and recieved an apology and assurance that it wouldn't happen again (from the VP). He called again (not due to late payment) and I wrote more letters. Nothing was ever done and I stopped paying, I left the job (this caused a hostile environment)and this issue has been ongoing for over 5 years with no resolution. I am going to lose my job if I don't attain my degree and my economic growth has been hampered because of this. This is not on my credit report and I haven't received a bill in many years. Is this legal? I want to sue the university and file a civil suit against the man that kept calling me.


Asked on 8/26/00, 6:42 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Zedrick Braden III

Re: University withholding transcripts

If this is a State of Illinois

(Public) University, you can

file a suit against the

university's board of regents

in the Court of Claims. In

my opinion, the school was

wrong in terms of what it did.

Generally, there is a contract

relationship between a university and a student, and

the university catalogue sets

forth the terms of this agree-

ment. Review your university

catalogue for the appropriate

year, hire a lawyer, and

file suit. If this is a

private institution, my answer

is the same, except that you

would file in the Municipal

or Law Division of the Circuit

Court. Thank you for your

question.

Read more
Answered on 10/03/00, 12:29 am


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