Being dismissed from college or university in South Carolina (or anywhere else) can be devastating on so many levels. For students, it may feel as though their life is crumbling around them; for the parents, the hopes and dreams for their child are thrown into jeopardy--not to mention the thousands of dollars in lost tuition. What many students and parents don't realize is all it may take to face dismissal is one wrong move, one false accusation, or unfair grading practices.
Perhaps you're facing possible disciplinary action at your South Carolina college or university--or worse, perhaps you've already been dismissed. Maybe you filed an appeal and lost; maybe you didn't even realize you had the right to appeal. Whatever the case, you should know this is not the end of the story. You may have options for relief you had not realized were possible. Joseph D. Lento, an attorney-advisor who serves students across the country, is known for his expertise in assisting students with disciplinary matters even after having been dismissed from college. Regardless of the reasons for your dismissal, and even if things seem hopeless, Mr. Lento and his team at the Lento Law Firm can help you get your education back on track. Call Joseph D. Lento at 888.535.3686 or go online now.
Dismissal Over Academic Progress
If you have attended one of South Carolina's 60-plus colleges and universities, you've attended a school that is required by federal law to have dismissal procedures in place for students who fail to make satisfactory academic progress (SAP). This is true whether you attended a public university like the University of South Carolina in Columbia or a private institution like Charleston Southern University. The reason why students can be dismissed over poor academic progress is that these schools are receiving federal financial aid dollars to fund student loans, and financial aid can't be approved for students who fail to maintain a certain GPA or don't complete enough credits in a certain amount of time.
Unfortunately, many South Carolina college and university students are unfairly dismissed over SAP policies. Common reasons for this include:
- The student was given grades that didn't properly reflect their progress because the school failed to follow its own fair grading standards.
- The student was subjected to unfair remediation efforts, which caused them to be overloaded with work.
- The student had exceptional circumstances, such as medical problems, emotional distress, or family crises that prevented them from making acceptable progress.
In many cases, SAP concerns can be resolved by successfully appealing bad grades, negotiating for better remediation, or appealing a dismissal. Regrettably, many students and parents don't understand the school's appeal policies, don't know how to file an appeal, or don't even realize they could appeal an adverse action and avoid being dismissed. Thus, a great many SAP dismissals in South Carolina are unwarranted and unnecessary.
The good news is that even if your dismissal from a South Carolina university or college has been finalized, help is available. To explore your options, contact national academic attorney-advisor Joseph D. Lento and his team today.
Dismissal or Disciplinary Action for Misconduct
To qualify for federal funding, both public and private colleges and universities in South Carolina must have specific disciplinary processes in place to deal with issues of misconduct, including Title IX violations, academic misconduct, and other offenses. Top schools like Clemson University, Winthrop University, and Wofford College all have comprehensive codes of conduct that detail the rules for students and the disciplinary process for code violations. Students accused of misconduct may face penalties ranging from a reprimand and probation to full expulsion.
Again, there are many instances in which these disciplinary policies are unfairly administered--whether due to ongoing pressures to maintain a reputation of excellence, to promote a safe campus culture, to reduce the risk of losing federal funding, etc. Some of the more common problems with disciplinary proceedings in South Carolina colleges and universities include:
- The school's Title IX coordinator or other administrators are not properly trained in how to investigate and adjudicate sexual misconduct cases.
- The school is overzealous in its efforts to punish students, without considering the individual circumstances of each case.
- The school's adjudication process is biased against the accused student.
- The school ignores or downplays evidence that would support the accused student's innocence.
- The student was not disciplined according to the school's established procedures.
If you've been disciplined or expelled from a South Carolina college or university as a result of misconduct, all hope is not lost. In many cases, it may be possible to have the disciplinary decision overturned or mitigated even after the appeals process has been exhausted. Nationwide academic attorney-advisor Joseph D. Lento and the team at the Lento Law Firm have helped many students across the country who have been unfairly dismissed over disciplinary issues. Call the Lento Law Firm today to discuss your case.
The Fallout From Dismissal or Other Disciplinary Actions
When a student at a South Carolina university or college faces dismissal over SAP issues or sanctions over alleged misconduct, the risk for loss is quite high. South Carolina colleges and universities have a relatively low burden of proof in deciding to terminate students for not making enough academic progress or over misconduct accusations. Being dismissed or expelled from school can lead to a loss of tuition money, overwhelming student debt, difficulties transferring credits to another school, and numerous other problems. At worst, it can throw your entire career trajectory into question.
Keep in mind, however, that expulsion or dismissal are not the only possible actions by the school that could cause you harm. South Carolina colleges and universities may impose other penalties for SAP and misconduct issues such as probation, restricted activities, remediation, and reprimands. While these punishments are not as severe, they may still appear on your academic record and could potentially disqualify you from scholarships, extracurricular opportunities, internships, and even certain job opportunities. Even if you haven't been expelled from school, don't assume that a warning and/or being placed on probation won't affect your career prospects. A skilled attorney-advisor can help you rectify the record, restore your reputation, and help you resume your academic progress.
Appeals of Dismissal/Expulsion and Other Actions
According to the policies of your South Carolina college/university, you have the right to appeal any unfavorable decision made against you by the school, whether it's SAP dismissal, expulsion for bad behavior, unjust grades, or other disciplinary sanctions. In most cases, you have only a short period of time to file a convincing appeal, and there are specific steps involved in doing so--but a successful appeal might restore your reputation and avert dismissal. Contact national academic attorney-advisor Joseph D. Lento and the Lento Law Firm team to pursue your appeal as soon as possible.
Alternatives Options for Relief
If your South Carolina college or university has already imposed disciplinary action or dismissed you, and if your appeal options are already exhausted, you still may have some alternatives for relief. While filing a lawsuit against the school is a viable option in some cases (and many attorneys would recommend as much at this point), suing the school is not always the most fruitful choice because of its adversarial nature. Joseph D. Lento, an attorney-advisor with many years of successful experience helping hundreds of students in South Carolina and across the United States, is often able to resolve dismissals by negotiating directly with the school's internal Offices of General Counsel (OGC) or with outside attorneys who represent the school. Over time, Mr. Lento and his team have established successful connections with OGCs from across the United States, including most of South Carolina's colleges and universities. By applying skilled diplomacy, Mr. Lento often obtains relief for the student where other law firms would be unsuccessful--not only helping to restore the student to a good relationship with the school but also avoiding expensive lawsuits in the process.
Of course, if there is ample evidence the school wronged you and the school's OGC is unhelpful, a lawsuit may be the last and best option. Attorney-advisor Lento and his team at The Lento Law Firm have successfully sued schools to get compensation for many students in situations when litigation is indicated. However, we believe in litigation as a last resort, and in the majority of cases, Mr. Lento's experience and skills can help you obtain an acceptable resolution without the need for court.
Retain an Experienced Nationwide Academic Attorney-Advisor Today
While you always have the right to retain legal counsel of your choosing, resolving many disciplinary issues at colleges and universities requires a specific type of experience that local attorneys don't possess. That's why if you or someone you love has suffered an SAP or misconduct dismissal from a South Carolina college/university, you should opt in favor of experience when choosing an attorney. Attorney-advisor Joseph D. Lento is considered an authority in school disciplinary issues nationwide, and he and his team have committed their nationwide practice to helping students in trouble. Even if your dismissal has been finalized, real relief is still available. Don't give up on your education; retain national academic attorney-advisor Joseph D. Lento and the team at Lento Law Firm today. Call 888.535.3686 or go online now.
