New City breaks Artshare story

May 28 , 1999

CHICAGO, IL -- Despite attempts by the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) to withhold his degree, Ben MacNeill received his Master's of Fine Arts this past weekend following minor confusion.

The problem arose when MacNeill, who fully expected to receive his diploma during the graduation ceremony held at the historic Chicago Theatre, instead was handed a piece of paper titled "CONGRATULATIONS!!! You've ALMOST made it!"

Further examination of the paper revealed that MacNeill did not receive his diploma because SAIC claimed that he still needed to complete requirements for his degree. "Additional credit hours," "Clear your financial account" and "Clear your 'HOLD' from the library, media center, etc." were all cited as possibilities for the withholding of the diploma.

The paper also advised that "if you are unsure why you have not received your diploma, please contact the Office of the Registrar on Monday morning." However, according to MacNeill, attempts to contact the Registrar's office on Monday failed as no one would answer the phone and the voice mail box was full. "I had no choice but to go down there in person," MacNeill reported.

A visit to the registrar's office revealed that, in fact, MacNeill's account was in order. Apparently SAIC erred and printed a Bachelor's of Fine Arts diploma -- not a Master's of Fine Arts diploma -- for MacNeill. A corrected diploma should be mailed directly to MacNeill's home in 2-3 weeks.

MacNeill is waiting to see if the correct diploma does indeed arrive. "I don't have much confidence in the school," MacNeill explains, "Another one of my friends received a 'Naster's' diploma on Saturday."

 

-- MediaNews