College success is about going to class and studying. It's about visiting professors during office hours and joining study groups. It's about learning to use the library's databases and the difference between APA and MLA styles.
It's also, though, about learning how to navigate the system. Sam Houston State University is a bureaucracy, and like any bureaucracy, you have to know how it operates if you're going to survive. You need to know who to talk to if you think you might have a learning disability. You need to know what the process is for letting the dean know there's been a death in your family. You need to know what to do if you run into a professor who just doesn't seem to like you.
It may sound strange—the idea that a law firm could help you with academics. No one knows bureaucracy like lawyers, though, and no one knows educational bureaucracy like the Lento Law Firm's Education Law Team.
So, at the very first sign of trouble, give us a call at 888-535-3686, or take a little time now and fill out one of our online questionnaires. You owe it to yourself to find out what we can do for you.
Academic Progression at Sam Houston State University
Students are sometimes surprised to learn that there are consequences for low college grades. After all, the worst that could happen in high school is that you might have to repeat a class. Like all universities, though, Sam Houston State has an academic standing policy. That policy contains a set of standards all students at the university must meet, and it also includes penalties for students who don't meet those standards.
- Good Standing: Good standing means you're doing what you need to do to make it to graduation. Earning Good standing is pretty straightforward. You just need to keep your cumulative grade point average above 2.0. Of course, that's sometimes easier said than done.
- Academic Probation: Any time your GPA falls below the magic 2.0 number, Sam Houston places you on Probation. As part of Probation, you must meet with an academic advisor. Otherwise, though, your main goal should be to return to Good standing. You can actually take as long as you need to do that, provided you keep your term GPA above 2.0.
- Academic Suspension: If you're on Probation and your term GPA dips below 2.0, the university then places you on Academic Suspension. Suspension means separation from SHSU for a fall or spring semester. You can return to the university, but you must file an Intent to Return Readmission Form, and you must meet with an advisor. SHSU makes no mention of Dismissal, but readmission following Suspension is not guaranteed, and any time away from your studies can make it harder to come back to them.
Dealing With Academic Standing Decisions
Sam Houston State does not offer any formal means of challenging an academic sanction. For the most part, such sanctions are based on your GPA, and the university does not consider that open to debate.
That said, there are some informal strategies you can try using to keep your GPA up and out of the danger zone. For instance,
- If you're dealing with extenuating circumstances, such as a serious illness or a family emergency, you can appeal directly to the dean of your school or college for more time to improve.
- If you should discover you have an undiagnosed learning disability, like ADD or ADHD, you can ask the school to set aside your low grades. Then, once you've worked out appropriate accommodations, you can retake those courses for replacement credit.
- Any time an instructor treats you unfairly, you should report their actions to their department head. You may be entitled to a grade revision or, at minimum, to file a grade appeal.
- Your instructors have the power to punish you if they think you've cheated on an exam or committed some form of plagiarism. Punishments can include anything from a reduced grade on an assignment to outright failure in the course. However, you always have the option to appeal your instructor's decisions to their department head. Failing that, you can appeal to the dean and, if necessary, to the Vice Provost for Academic Affairs.
- Some faculty are willing to negotiate for grades. For example, if you showed genuine progress over the course of a semester, you might ask a professor to pass you even if your individual scores weren't high enough.
- One of the easiest types of grade negotiation is to ask for extra credit or makeup assignments. If your grade is borderline, a single lab assignment or a paper rewrite could be all it takes to avoid an academic standing penalty.
The attorneys at the Lento Law Firm have helped hundreds of students over the years, and along the way, we've learned a number of tips and tricks for keeping your GPA healthy. We know who to contact at SHSU when you have a problem, we know what to say, and we know exactly how to say it. Whether you need help drafting a formal appeal or you're just looking for coaching in the art of negotiating with professors, we'll help you come up with an appropriate plan, and we'll work with you to put that plan into action.
Should the worst happen, though, and you find yourself Suspended, we can also help you file the necessary readmission paperwork. We know what makes for the best evidence in these appeals, and we can tell you exactly what committee members expect to hear from you.
What Can the Lento Law Firm Do for You?
Your Sam Houston diploma is far more than just a piece of paper. It's your avenue to a successful career. If it's under threat, you can't afford to try and handle the problem by yourself. University processes and procedures can be complex and difficult to navigate, and often, you will find the system is stacked against you. You need the very best help you can get, someone who is in your corner and ready to fight on your behalf.
The Lento Law Firm's Education Law Team has helped hundreds of students just like you respond to academic issues and make it to graduation. What can we do for you? To find out, call us today at 888-535-3686 or use our online form.
