6 January 2016
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Up to 14,500 university applicants told before Christmas that they had won a place at Victoria University (VU) have now been told it was a “system” error.
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VU sent out emails on Christmas Eve, informing applicants they could enrol in their preferred course. The emails congratulated recipients on being “accepted to study” at the university.
But on Monday 4 January, those same students received another email, headed “Recall of Enrol to study at Victoria University”, in which the university’s general manager of student administration wrote:
We regret to advise that this email was sent as a result of a system error. All applications are still being assessed by our admissions team.
The university would not say how many of the emails were sent, but News Ltd is reporting it could be as many as 14,500, but Fairfax is being circumspect and not reporting a figure.
It’s a cockup, even if the error affects hundreds of applicants; if it runs into thousands, it’s monumental in nature given that in 2014, VU had 5,300 students commencing at bachelor level.
One mother said her family was crushed and would consider legal action if her son were not offered a place.
We’ve celebrated all Christmas thinking (he) was in a course. Now I’ve got a devastated 18-year-old.
It’s life-changing. We’re dealing with kids’ futures here. It’s really affected a lot of kids. It’s beyond a joke now.
Victoria University staff became aware of the blunder only when concerned students contacted them.
Acting vice-chancellor Professor Kerri-Lee Krause said the university had acted immediately.
The university apologises for the original error … that may have caused confusion … (and) sincerely regrets the communications error.
She said that Victoria University “looks forward to issuing course offers in the coming weeks after thorough assessment of applications, and wishes all students well in their chosen studies.”
The Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre’s Suzanne Connelly said the email error would not affect selection. VTAC offers will be emailed to applicants by 2pm on Monday 18 January.
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