Young adults attending college in Wyoming have started a path toward a degree that they can use as a solid foundation to build a bright future. Nevertheless, there are bumps in the road that students may face during their time on campus. Mistakes happen sometimes; stressful class loads, peer pressure, and other obstacles may lead students to face misconduct allegations.
Disciplinary boards seek to address code of conduct violations with a fast-paced grievance process that leaves a student's academic future threatened by a suspension or an expulsion. Without proper assistance, students have a fleeting chance of remaining in school, upending their future careers.
Students and their parents sometimes wait until the intimidating grievance process is complete before retaining professional help. Regardless, you can obtain comprehensive relief that gets you back in class to continue your studies and keep your permanent record clean.
Appealing Disciplinary Sanctions
When Wyoming college and university disciplinary boards levy sanctions like suspension or expulsion for academic misconduct or other code of conduct violations, the student has the right to appeal. Students may consult their school's code of conduct to educate themselves on the appellate process's rules and regulations. If not, the school administration will inform the student of their right to appeal when the disciplinary body has determined responsibility for the alleged misconduct.
The codes of conduct at institutions of higher education in Wyoming will detail the limited circumstances under which students can file appeals to challenge a disciplinary board's decision. The University of Wyoming explains that students can file requests for appeals for the following reasons:
- Due process: The investigative or hearing phases did not follow the procedures outlined in the school's code of conduct. The appeals board will also review allegations of bias or conflict of interest from anyone involved during the grievance process.
- Incorrect conclusion: The Hearing Officer(s) decision failed to be supported by a preponderance of the evidence or was "arbitrary and capricious."
- New evidence: Evidence that emerges following the decision from the sanctioning body must have been undiscoverable during the review process and unknown to the accused.
Some colleges and universities in Wyoming may also allow students to appeal on the grounds of excessive punishments. An appeals board will consider if the sanctions are unreasonable based on the facts of the case and the disciplinary board's determination of responsibility.
Students have limited time to file appeals once the school administration decides to suspend or expel them. The timeframe can range from as many as 15 days to as little as two days, but it varies from school to school. The University of Wyoming provides students five business days to file an appeal, whereas Sheridan College allows a timeframe of 15 business days.
When you retain a professional college dismissal advisor, they will help you review your school's appeals guidelines to ensure that you do not miss the opportunity to challenge the decision to suspension or expulsion. For instance, the University of Wyoming states that students who "elect a judicial conference" before the hearing phase are "admitting responsibility for the alleged misconduct" and waive their rights to "further hearing(s) or appeals."
Once the appellate hearing concludes and the members have deliberated, they will notify the student of their decision, usually within two days. The conclusion from the appeals board will:
- Affirm the findings or sanctions
- Alter or lessen Sanctions are lessened or altered
- Refer the matter back to the disciplinary board
- Reverse the punishments
- Dismiss the charges
All decisions rendered by the appellate authority are final. If a student does not have their suspension or expulsion overturned, the termination of their academic career can leave them overwhelmed. They may not know where to turn for help and pack up to leave school without a defense.
They may also be asking themselves:
- Could the sanctions be proven excessive given the misconduct findings?
- Has new evidence emerged that was unavailable during the investigation or hearing phases?
- How can infringements on due process be proven?
- Was there any conflict of interest or bias from the disciplinary board members?
Students are ill-prepared to manage these situations, especially when their primary concern is schoolwork and preparing for their future careers. Hiring a college dismissal advisor will assure you that you are familiar with all facets of the appeals process. They will give you the confidence to face your Wyoming college or university with robust defense.
Separation from Studies
Wyoming school administrations may remove a student from campus to protect their public reputation, academic or otherwise. At Central Wyoming College, if a student does not complete two-thirds of their credit hours, they risk losing their federal financial aid eligibility. Even if a student or their parents can afford the semester costs without the help of financial aid, a college or university will not allow them to enroll as it alters the college's federal aid eligibility.
Some institutions of higher education exercise the authority to suspend students temporarily. The University of Wyoming may require a student to leave campus temporarily pending the outcome of a disciplinary investigation or by the judgment of the Dean of Students. The University of Wyoming provides the temporarily suspended student the right to appeal the decision within five business days, but many schools do not allow challenges to their emergency powers.
Wyoming schools sometimes misconstrue their reasoning for suspending or expelling students. Extenuating circumstances can affect a student's academic performance or behavior on campus. These are unfortunate but relatively common life events like:
- Death of a family member or close friend
- Hard transition into campus life
- Injury or illness of an immediate family member
- Overwhelming class schedule
- Physical or emotional trauma
Even though your Wyoming school may not consider these, a college dismissal advisor will know how to leverage them to your benefit. You should not have to be separated from your studies if you experience a tragedy. With the immense pressure schools are under to promote a harmonious public image, students of good character can be unfairly punished. It is essential to understand that the college grievance process is not the same as a court of law, and a university is not required to grant a student due process rights.
What Are The Consequences of Suspension or Expulsion?
Students who leave their studies via a suspension or expulsion may believe that they go home, wait for a semester or two, and then walk back into class. However, that is a misconception.
Considering schools require transfer students to disclose all other colleges and universities they attended, they will be seen as less attractive admissions candidates if a suspension or expulsion is on their permanent record. Moreover, students removed from campus may not be eligible for a refund of their tuition and other fees. Often, schools will not admit transfer students who owe money to other institutions.
Suspension and expulsion will also derail a student's financial livelihood. If a student must reimburse federal loan providers for any unearned amount of financial aid because of a separation from studies, it will cause long-lasting economic hardship. It will also dash opportunities such as:
- Applying for auto, business, or home loans
- Being in good standing with credit reporting agencies
- Obtaining scholarships or grants for school
The problems of a separation from studies will not only be financial. Suspended or expelled students must disclose college disciplinary actions on various forms like:
- Behavioral counseling licenses
- Financial certifications
- Graduate school applications
- Law enforcement applications
- Municipal and state government internships
- Security clearances for federal jobs
- Transfer student applications
What Can Joseph D. Lento and the Lento Law Firm Do For You?
Many local Wyoming attorneys will often move forward with litigation against the school as their defense for their student client. This long, expensive course of action is rarely required and unlikely to provide the student a chance to remain in school. Novice lawyers may tout their trial records to persuade students that aggressive means are necessary. However, flashy courtroom tactics seen in movies do not translate into the prudence needed to negotiate with school administration officials.
While a formal suit is a possible means of redress, students need quick, negotiated relief from suspension or expulsion. College dismissal advisor Joseph D. Lento can help you remain confident in the face of your school's sanctioning body and preserve your academic and professional future.
Instead of relying on complex legal proceedings, Joseph D. Lento has brokered beneficial outcomes with members of the Office of General Counsel (OGC) within Wyoming colleges and universities on behalf of the suspended or expelled student. He relies on the relationships he and his team have built with internal OGC officials at Wyoming school to give students the second chance they deserve.
Learn how Lento and his team can persuade school administration officials to see the more positive options that serve both the student and the school far better than suspension, expulsion, or other harsh punitive measures. Call 888-535-3686 to discuss how Joseph D. Lento and the Lento Law Firm can defend you or a loved one from their Vermont school or seek relief through their online consultation form. Your future depends on it.
