I am currently appealing a suspension from college

[ultrasoundtech]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)?

 

[Zigner]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)?

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[ultrasoundtech]

Please do not use the preview function - it is broken. You may reply to this, or edit your original post.

Georgia.
I am currently appealing a termination from my school. It all stems from a suspension from college due to failing a drug test for Xanax (which I am prescribed and not implicitly or explicitly prohibited from taking per my student handbook). My program consists of classroom and clinic, which is basically a hands-on portion of my education. During clinic, one or two of the techs complained to the director that I was "acting erratically". First off, I was fine, 100% sure of this. I hadn't even taken my medication that morning. So, I was drug tested and showed positive for benzodiazepines, which should not have been a problem. Long story short, I've been fighting this appeal process for nearly 6 weeks, they are not following handbook procedures and it's looking more and more like discrimination of some sort (mental health?).
So cut to the situation that I most urgently would like to get advice on. I am wanting to take this letter to the program head that states my explanation for any possible "erratic behavior". I'm seeking advice because my boyfriend disagrees strongly with the letter. He sees it as an admission of guilt. In it, I state that I shouldn't have come to clinic not feeling my best and the reasons for why I may not have felt top notch.
I would like advice urgently, as I want to take this letter to him in the next couple hours. Thank you.
-Nichole

 

[cbg]

And what is your explanation for the erratic behavior?

 

[Zigner]

Georgia.
I am currently appealing a termination from my school. It all stems from a suspension from college due to failing a drug test for Xanax (which I am prescribed and not implicitly or explicitly prohibited from taking per my student handbook). My program consists of classroom and clinic, which is basically a hands-on portion of my education. During clinic, one or two of the techs complained to the director that I was "acting erratically". First off, I was fine, 100% sure of this. I hadn't even taken my medication that morning. So, I was drug tested and showed positive for benzodiazepines, which should not have been a problem. Long story short, I've been fighting this appeal process for nearly 6 weeks, they are not following handbook procedures and it's looking more and more like discrimination of some sort (mental health?).
So cut to the situation that I most urgently would like to get advice on. I am wanting to take this letter to the program head that states my explanation for any possible "erratic behavior". I'm seeking advice because my boyfriend disagrees strongly with the letter. He sees it as an admission of guilt. In it, I state that I shouldn't have come to clinic not feeling my best and the reasons for why I may not have felt top notch.
I would like advice urgently, as I want to take this letter to him in the next couple hours. Thank you.
-Nichole

I wouldn't suggest just outright handing the letter over without first speaking personally to the program head.

 

[ultrasoundtech]

And what is your explanation for the erratic behavior?

There was none, I clearly remember the entire morning and am baffled by why the tech reported me. Unless it was for a personal reason, which I am unaware of what that would be, as we had no relationship outside of working together.

 

[ultrasoundtech]

I wouldn't suggest just outright handing the letter over without first speaking personally to the program head.

I did speak with her, she's on vacation currently. I'm wanting to give the letter to the department supervisor who is on the appeal board.

 

[cbg]

So if there was none, what is the explanation you are putting in the letter and why does your boyfriend see it as an admission of guilt?

Many people for one reason or another have erratic behavior that they themselves do not see as erratic, but perfectly normal. It could be that the tech saw something that in your mind was perfectly reasonable but did not translate that way to others.

 

[ultrasoundtech]

So if there was none, what is the explanation you are putting in the letter and why does your boyfriend see it as an admission of guilt?

Many people for one reason or another have erratic behavior that they themselves do not see as erratic, but perfectly normal. It could be that the tech saw something that in your mind was perfectly reasonable but did not translate that way to others.

I do have Generalized Anxiety Disorder, so there's that. I'm also legitimately OCD but I've been in this program for 17 months out of the 18 it lasts, so they should be familiar with me.
My boyfriend feels like typing a letter that says "I shouldn't have been there that day for this reason, is like saying, I shouldn't have but I was anyway". He says it makes it look like poor judgement. I'm just typing a letter of what I think they want to hear.

 

[Zigner]

I do have Generalized Anxiety Disorder, so there's that. I'm also legitimately OCD but I've been in this program for 17 months out of the 18 it lasts, so they should be familiar with me.
My boyfriend feels like typing a letter that says "I shouldn't have been there that day for this reason, is like saying, I shouldn't have but I was anyway". He says it makes it look like poor judgement. I'm just typing a letter of what I think they want to hear.

I tend to agree with your boyfriend. Until you know what, exactly, you are accused of, you really can't defend yourself. Why would you want to highlight your poor judgment?