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This letter is written in response to the above referenced complaint, received here at Pacific Graduate Institute (Pacifica) via e-mail on January 16, 2018.Pacifica is a graduate school of psychology accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges with a 41 year history of treating its...

students honorably. Complainant is a former student.For your reference I include with this letter two exhibits:Timeline of the former students’ enrolment status including financial aid awards.The former student’s final statement of account balance due, dated just prior to Pacifica’s writing off the balance as uncollectible.In her statement, complainant writes, “During my dissertation phase my records were erroneously put on hold by the business office which is a breach of contract”.Complainant’s records were not put on hold. She may be referring to her official transcript. Pacifica releases transcripts of any student only after all funds due have been paid in full, a standard practice of institutions of higher education. The policy is clearly stated in all enrollment agreements, including the one signed by complainant.Complainant received full awards during the period she was enrolled in coursework; her tuition and fees were paid via Federal Financial Aid (and Pacifica has records of receiving $2,057.52 in direct payments from complainant). She did not receive aid beyond her initial 2 year dissertation registration (“the dissertation clock”), since she did not meet the criteria established for additional aid(i.e. Dissertation proposal approved by all 3 dissertation members).Complainant’s last payment to Pacifica was posted her her account on May 23, 2008, in the amount of $15.00, at which time she then owed Pacifica $8653.76. She continues to owe Pacifica that valid debt, which she does not dispute. Students who are enrolled at Pacifica may request a payment plan.Complainant never made such a request. Also, Pacifica uses many different arrangements to assist students who reach the dissertation stage and experience financial challenges. Students who receive such assistance. Complainant failed both of those requirements.With due respect, Pacifica has been fair to complainant, and has taken action entirely consistent with the written agreement she signed. (Complainant may still pay the amount she owes and have her official transcripts released.) It would not be fair, however, if in order to pay as agreed.Very truly yours,Pacific Graduate Institute

As Chief Financial Officer and Vice President of Business Services at Pacifica Graduate Institute (Pacifica), I am writing on behalf of Dr. A[redacted] in reply to your letter to him dated June 3, 2015. Pacifica would like to acknowledge and thank you for bringing to our attention complaint #10638524....

We appreciate the opportunity to submit this response.Pacifica sincerely regrets that Complainant believes she was treated in any way other than courteously and fairly by Pacifica. With all due respect, the events she claims simply did not occur in the manner she states, and she leaves out other events that did occur. Having examined our behavior carefully, and having reviewed the pertinent documents, Pacifica did not engage in any wrongdoing, and in fact treated Complainant favorably. We respectfully deny any liability, and are entitled to the amount Complainant agreed to pay, $1,732.80.Below is a timeline of the actual relevant events:7/19/2013 Complainant was accepted in accordance to Pacifica Admission Policies into the Clinical Psychology PhD Program.7/19/2013 Complainant paid the required 500 deposit.8/19/2013 Pacifica received a signed Tuition and Fee Agreement from Complainant acknowledging and accepting all terms. 9/5/2013 Fall 2013 quarter began. 9/6/2013 Complainant attended Fall 2013 quarter Orientation. 9/6/2013 Complainant and Clinical Program Chair met for the first time. 9/6/2013 Complainant claimed she was unfairly treated and not given proper attention by her Program Advisor. When Complainant addressed the Program Chair, she became agitated and hostile. After assessing the situation, and in the presence of witnesses, the Program Chair politely encouraged Complainant to use a more professional manner in communicating with her and other faculty.9/6/2013 The Program Chair sought counsel from fellow Faculty members regarding Complainants hostility and her threatening manner.9/6/2013 The Director of Admissions followed up with an email regarding the recommendation of withdrawal, in which she advised Complainant of the possible financial implications based on the signed Tuition and Fee Agreement and encouraged Complainant to nevertheless take immediate steps to withdraw.9/6/2013 Complainant returned an email response to the Director of Admission indicating she understood the financial implications if she delayed her official withdrawal.9/6/2013 Complainants last day of instruction.9/13/2013 Complainant submitted her official withdrawal notification to the Registrar’s Office.9/26/2013 In accordance with Pacificas Tuition Refund Policy, and based on the official withdrawal date of 9/13/2013, a 70% ($5,042.80) Tuition and 23 ($1,424) Residential Fees refund was applied as a credit to Complainants account equaling $6,466.80.2/2/2014 was Complainants next communication to Pacifica, a petition to Pacificas Education Council requesting a full tuition refund less the 500 deposit.2/7/2014 Educational Council denied Complainant’s request for a full tuition refund, however, did approve an amendment of her separation date retroactively to 9/7/2013. This resulted in an additional10% tuition refund of $720.40.2/7/2014 The Registrar notified Complainant by letter of the Educational Council’s decision, and she did not respond.2/18/2014 In accordance with Pacificas Tuition Refund Policy and based on the 27/2014 Education Council decision, an additional 10% tuition of 720.40, was applied as a credit to the Complainant’s account. 5/25/2015, approximately 15 months later, was Complainants next communication concerning this matter, filing the current complaint (#10638524) with the Revdex.com.In summary, Pacifica made no issue of Complainant having acted in a manner that violates our Institutions Civility and Conduct Policies. Instead we acted promptly to maintain a safe learning environment for all, as is the Institute’s legal obligation. In the best interests of both Complainant and also other students, we advised her it would be best to withdraw from the Clinical Psychology Program. She agreed within a week. The Institute abided by the Tuition Refund Policy to which Complaint had agreed, and then honored her appeal by granting an exception to policy by giving her an additional refund. The Institute fully honored its contractual obligation to Complainant. Additionally, the current charges owed Pacifica by Complainant, $1,732.80, represent the expenses she incurred while on Campus and at our third party lodging facility. Thus Complainant is responsible to pay in full that current balance due.