AutismWonderland: Red Tape Everywhere I Go

I spent most of my morning running back and forth. Usually, my running back and forth has to do with The Boy. Today - I was doing something for myself. Trying to register for next semester. I have only 4 classes left (including my thesis) and I'll have my MFA in Creative Writing. I need to finish.

But apparently...it wasn't that easy.

I get to the English Department and it hits me. I took the semester off - I will need to re-admit. Readmission involves paperwork - my favorite thing in the whole world.

And so I explain my situation to the powers that be in the English department. I will need to fill out a form. Take it to Admissions and then I can register.

side note: I know, in this day and age, I still need to register in person.

I fill out my registration forms. And then I walk across campus to the admissions office. I thought I was slick - I had the form filled out. But it wasn't that easy.

I get to the admissions office - engage in friendly banter with the woman behind the counter. And then she says that I need to get that form signed by the dean. She tells me the office I need to go to. The office is in the building that I just came from.

I go back across campus - slightly annoyed - and find the office to have my form signed.

The girl at that counter tells me I need to go to the 5th floor.

I get to the 5th floor and sit down in the dean's office. All ready to have my form signed and be on my way.

The Dean: When were you in school last?

Me: December. 2011.

The Dean: (punches in my social) Uh...no. The last time you were here was in 2003.

side note: I am pretty sure I know the difference between 2003 and 2011.

After I assure The Dean that my last semester was in 2011 and tell her that I am a graduate student. What do you think she said?

You guessed it! Go to another office.

Finally! With the form signed, I go back across campus to the admissions office. And now, there's a line. (of course) When I get to the counter, the girl tells me that I need to write a 25 - 50 statement why I was out for the semester.

WTF?

So I go over to bench and scribble out my sob story.

I have a 6 year old son with autism. I work full time. I am tired. And my son is having a difficult time transitioning to kindergarten and he needs me home. (I wrote some other stuff but I can't write that here.)

And THEN I handed in my form. And I should be able to register in the next 24 - 48 hours.

So what did I learn today?

There's bullshit and red tape everywhere.

But seeing this on the bulletin board at school made the tangle of red tape all worth it.