You came to Cal State, Fullerton, to be a student, so you shouldn't be surprised when the university holds you to that. Sure, college is about other things too, like making friends, establishing your independence, and having new experiences. In the end, though, if you can't keep your grades up, you won't get the chance to do any of those other things.
Keeping your grades up means you're going to have to go to class, you're going to have to study, you're going to have to visit the library once in a while and write papers. It's not just about those things, though. Sometimes college success can be about how well you get along with your professors, about proving you uploaded your paper to the course web page before the time limit even if the course webpage says you didn't, about convincing an administrator that you deserve to be absent for a week for a family emergency.
When you're dealing with those kinds of issues, you may need some backup. Attorney-advisor Joseph D. Lento and his Student Defense Team are that backup. They're attorneys, but they're more than attorneys; they know how your school operates. They know exactly what to do when things go wrong and how to get your education back on track. So, if you're struggling to meet academic progress requirements at Fullerton, ask yourself: what can Joseph D. Lento and his team do for me?
Academic Progression at Cal State, Fullerton
Academic progress at Cal State, Fullerton, is defined by the school's academic standing policy. Remain in "Good" standing, and you'll have no problems. Of course, that can be easier said than done. It means keeping both your cumulative and term grade point averages above 2.0.
What happens if you can't do that?
- Academic Notice: The first consequence of a low GPA is Academic Notice, which the school used to call "Probation." Again, you can be placed on Notice if either of your GPAs should fall below 2.0. While on Notice, you are required to take the school's RESET course through Canvas. In addition, you must meet with an advisor before you can register for the next term. You can return to Good standing at any time you raise your GPAs high enough.
- Academic Disqualification: There is a more serious sanction as well. If either of your GPAs should fall below the minimum level for your class standing, you are then disqualified from attending courses at the university for at least one academic year. For freshmen, that minimum number is 1.5; for sophomores, it is 1.7; for juniors, it is 1.85; and for seniors, it is 1.95. Note that you do not have to be on Notice in order to be Disqualified.
You can return to Cal State, Fullerton, after disqualification. However, you must first attend the CSUF Open University and raise your GPAs high enough to return to Good standing. The good news is that you can take the same courses through OU that you would take through the main university. However, only the first 24 hours you take at OU can be used towards your degree.
Once you have returned to Good standing, you can then apply for readmission to your particular school or college at the main university.
Dealing With Academic Sanctions
There aren't any formal ways to appeal a standing decision at CSUF. Such decisions are based on your grade points, and the school doesn't consider those open to debate.
However, that doesn't mean you must simply accept an academic sanction. There are a number of informal ways to deal with the threat of both Notice and Disqualification.
- If your deficiencies are caused by extenuating circumstances—an illness, for instance, or a family emergency—you can try appealing to the dean of your school or college for more time to improve.
- You always have a right to fair treatment in the classroom. If you feel an instructor has treated you unfairly, you should bring that to the attention of that instructor's department head.
- If your low grade is the result of a misconduct accusation, you can appeal your instructor's decision and the sanction to the university's Academic Appeals Board.
- A disability may entitle you to special course accommodations. Students with ADD, for example, are often allowed extra time to complete assignments. If an instructor ignores a Disability Services order for accommodations, DS can force them to give you a better grade.
- Some faculty are willing to assign extra credit and makeup work, especially to students with borderline grades. An extra research paper could be all you need to get your grade point up.
- Likewise, some faculty are open to the possibility of grade negotiation. A compelling argument might be enough to convince your instructor to raise your scores.
Attorney-advisor Joseph D. Lento and his Education Law Team know how to use these and other methods to keep your GPA high and your academic standing Good.
If worse comes to worst, though, they are also highly experienced at helping students return after a disqualification. They can work with you to come up with an academic plan, help you gather evidence of your ability, and even assist in drafting readmission documents.
Premier Education Attorney-Advisor, Joseph D. Lento
Students ask all the time: How is an attorney supposed to help me make it through college? It's a fair question. After all, it's not like you're on trial for shoplifting. You need help with your grades. That's normally a matter of studying harder or finding a tutor.
The thing is, though, succeeding in college is often as much about navigating bureaucracy as it is about writing papers and taking exams. No one knows more about dealing with bureaucracy than attorneys, and no one knows more about dealing with educational bureaucracy than attorney-advisor Joseph D. Lento and his Educational Law team. That team was assembled specifically to handle student conduct and academic progress issues.
Joseph D. Lento and his team are on your side. They understand that no one is perfect, and they're committed to the idea that a few mistakes shouldn't keep you from earning your degree and going on to a successful career. They'll fight to make sure you're treated fairly and that you get all the rights you deserve.
You've worked hard to get to this point. Don't let that hard work go to waste. To find out more about how you can fight dismissal, contact the Lento Law Firm today at 888-555-3686, or use our automated online form.
