It’s the university that grants the degree. If you don’t play by their rules, then you don’t get their degree. If you want your own rules, you’ll need to create your own university. Or if the degree is simply to get a job, tell your potential employer at the job you’re applying for all of the reasons you listed in this thread why the university was wrong. The employer can decide if they still want to hire you based on your argument. Tell the employer. Not the dean. The university will play by its own rules. Your employer can decide whether or not they want to hire someone who plays by the ones you discussed.