Just saw your comment after posting mine. Agree. Unfortunately, in my anecdotal experience schools not infrequently do not fulfill the role of advocate well.

Just saw your comment after posting mine. Agree. Unfortunately, in my anecdotal experience schools not infrequently do not fulfill the role of advocate well. (Sometimes, they do, though.) In a case like this, I think it can somewhat be "luck of the draw". With the initial/primary contact point with the school being the professor, some professors know what to do or at least will tackle the problem. Others are at a loss, or don't care. (I'm not saying that's the case, here; they did pass him, although leaving him without a thesis project.) Remember, you're dealing with an academic, when what you may need is a lawyer.