I had to take down my course-swapping site or be expelled (linkedin.com)

Article summary

A University of Washington student built a course-swapping site as a class project, but was threatened with expulsion after requesting access to the registration system. The student took down the site, but the university still put a hold on their account, effectively expelling them. The student is now looking for a job as a full-time software engineer. The incident has sparked discussion about the university's handling of the situation and its approach to student projects.

Main themes

• University bureaucracy
• Student projects and innovation
• Expulsion and academic freedom
• Registration system access
• Student-administration conflict

What commenters say

• The university's response to the student's project was overly aggressive and stifling to innovation.
• The student should have expected the university to react negatively to their project, given the potential risks and liabilities involved.
• The incident highlights the need for universities to have clearer policies and procedures for handling student projects that interact with university systems.
• The university's actions may be seen as a form of extortion, as they are effectively forcing the student to work on a project for the university in exchange for reinstatement.
• The student's decision to take down the site was a pragmatic choice, given the potential consequences of not complying with the university's demands.
• The university's approach to student projects and innovation is overly restrictive and may drive away talented students and faculty.
• The incident has sparked concerns about the broader implications for academic freedom and the ability of students to pursue projects that challenge university policies or procedures.