If you're facing dismissal from Cal State, Northridge, the first thing you need to know is that the situation is serious. Students sometimes believe—mistakenly—that they can simply transfer to a new school when they get into trouble and move on. The truth is that most schools are hesitant to accept a student if they already have a dismissal on their record. In other words, if you should be dismissed from Cal State, Northridge, your academic career could essentially be over. That means heading out into the job market—and paying back any student loans—without a degree on your resume and move on. The truth is that most schools are hesitant to accept a student if they already have a dismissal on their record. In other words, if you should be dismissed from Cal State, Northridge, your academic career could essentially be over. That means heading out into the job market—and paying back any student loans—without a degree on your resume.
The second thing you need to know if you're facing dismissal is that you don't have to handle this situation on your own. Attorney-advisor Joseph D. Lento and his Education Law Team are here to help. They know the law; they know how Cal State, Northridge works, and they're ready to put what they know to work for you.
Reasons for Dismissal at Cal State, Northridge
Avoiding dismissal isn't just about keeping your grades up at CSUN. The school can actually dismiss you for a number of different reasons. These can be grouped into four basic categories.
- Academic Misconduct: First, you can be dismissed for using any dishonest means to obtain your degree. That includes cheating. It also includes plagiarism. Normally, a first offense won't get you expelled. The worst sanction you might face is an F in the course. However, multiple offenses can certainly lead to dismissal.
- Disciplinary misconduct: Your behavior outside of class is under just as much scrutiny as your behavior in class. The Student Code of Conduct contains rules about everything from theft to misuse of computer facilities. Any violation can potentially get you dismissed; some, such as drug possession and hazing, almost always result in dismissal.
- Sexual misconduct: Sexually-based offenses are also most often punished with dismissal. Such violations aren't just against school policy but, under Title IX, against federal law. As a result, schools take all allegations seriously.
- Academic deficiencies: Of course, you can also be dismissed for failing to keep your grades up. The academic standing policy at Cal State, Northridge requires you to keep both your overall and term GPAs above 2.0. You won't be automatically dismissed should they fall a little, but you can be dismissed for a consistently poor performance.
Defending Yourself from Misconduct Charges
If you're facing dismissal as a result of a misconduct charge, you have the right to an investigation and a hearing. Here's how those processes typically work.
- Cases begin with a complaint. That is, someone accuses you of violating school policy. The school must then decide whether or not the accusation is credible and actionable.
- If CSUN decides to open an investigation into the accusation, it must provide you with a Notice of the Charges. This notice will describe the particulars of the allegation and let you know what due process rights you have during the investigation and hearing.
- Among your rights, you have the right to be presumed “Not Responsible” (innocent) until proven otherwise. You have the right to review the evidence against you. You also have the right to an advisor, someone to accompany you to all meetings and proceedings. In most cases, this advisor can be an attorney.
- The school then appoints an investigator to look into the allegations against you. This investigator will invite you to meet with them to give your side of the story. They'll do the same with your accuser. They'll also collect any physical evidence and interview any other witnesses.
- Once the investigation Is complete, the school will set a time and date for an official hearing. It will also select one or more decision-makers to preside over the case.
- The hearing is your best chance to make your full case. You may offer up arguments, submit evidence, and call witnesses. You also have the right to pose questions for any witnesses against you.
- At the conclusion of the hearing, decision-makers must decide whether or not you are Responsible for a violation. To do this, they rely on a legal standard known as “preponderance of the evidence.” According to this standard, you are guilty of an offense if they are more than fifty percent convinced by the evidence.
- You have some limited rights to appeal the outcome of the hearing, should you lose your case. Grounds for appeal include findings that do not fit the evidence, procedural error, the discovery of new evidence, or a sanction that doesn't fit the offense.
There are some small but important differences in how different types of allegations are handled. For example, while academic and disciplinary violations are under the authority of the school's Student Conduct Administrator, sexual misconduct is usually dealt with by the Title IX Coordinator. Title IX cases also generally afford the accused more due process rights. For instance, in a Title IX hearing, you may cross-examine the Complainant, a right you don't have in other types of cases.
Whatever kind of charge you're facing, Joseph D. Lento and his Student Defense Team can help you navigate the complexities of judicial procedures. They are experienced in all types of cases and have helped defend students from a wide range of allegations, from simple cheating, dating violence, and rape.
Academic Dismissals
If you're facing dismissal for academic reasons at Cal State, Northridge, you'll find there are no clear procedures in place for defending yourself. You can apply for readmission after you're dismissed, but the process is complex and there's no guarantee your application will be approved.
You're far better off avoiding dismissal in the first place. Luckily, Joseph D. Lento and his team know a number of useful strategies for staving off academic sanctions. For example,
- Extenuating circumstances can give you more time to improve. If you've suffered a serious illness or had to deal with a family emergency, you can try appealing to the dean of your school or college.
- Classroom mistreatment can be grounds for a grade appeal. If you feel an instructor has treated you unfairly, you should report this to the instructor's department head.
- Some faculty are open to the possibility of grade negotiation. You might ask them to reconsider all of your work from a semester, or you might use a single piece of evidence, like a higher final exam score, to argue that your course grade should be higher.
Again, whatever your situation, Joseph D. Lento and his team will work with you to identify the very best options open to you, to develop a clear plan, and to put that plan into action.
Fighting for Your Future
By this point, you probably have a clear sense of why you need the help of an attorney-advisor to fight dismissal decisions. Campus judicial procedures can be complex and difficult to navigate, and the full weight of your school will likely be against you.
You need someone watching over your shoulder, making certain you're treated fairly and that you get the justice you deserve.
The Joseph D. Lento law firm was built on helping students just like you handle all types of misconduct charges. They know how to negotiate with faculty and administrators; they know how to interview witnesses; they know how to put together water-tight appeals. To find out more about exactly what Joseph D. Lento and his team can do for you, contact the Lento Law Firm today, at 888-555-3686, or use our automated online form.
