No one gets through college unscathed. No one. Faculty and administrators have itchy trigger fingers these days when it comes to accusing students of wrong-doing, and they can be severe when coming up with punishments. That doesn't even take into account how hard it can be simply keeping your grades up. It's no wonder so many students find themselves dismissed from Colorado Technical University each year.
You don't have to accept a dismissal, though. You can, and you should, fight for your rights as a student. The attorneys at the Lento Law Firm are on your side. We know how schools operate, and we can help you navigate the Colorado Tech system. The moment you find yourself in trouble, contact the Lento Law Firm at 888-535-3686, or use our automated online form, and find out what we can do for you.
Reasons for Dismissal at Colorado Technical University
There are so many reasons Colorado Tech can dismiss you that we can't actually list them all here. What we can do, though, is give you a list of the four major categories of offenses you need to look out for. You'll find more detailed information, including specific rules and policies in your Student Handbook.
- Academic Performance: First, you're expected to excel in the classroom. The university's Academic Standing policy requires you to maintain at least a 2.0 GPA. Any time your average dips below that point, you're placed on Academic Warning status. If you can't pull your grades up during a Warning semester, you then face dismissal.
- Academic Misconduct: You're also expected to earn your degree honestly. Colorado Tech's Academic Misconduct policy prohibits cheating, plagiarism, and any other activity that might give you an unfair advantage in completing your coursework. Serious and multiple offenses can earn you dismissal.
- Disciplinary Misconduct: Your general campus conduct is governed by the school's Student Conduct Policy. Here you'll find rules against things like vandalism, trespassing, and theft. Any violation can result in dismissal if it's serious enough.
- Sexual Misconduct: This is among the most serious charges any student can face. Not only is sexual misconduct a violation of school policy, but it's also a violation of federal law (Title IX). Most students found Responsible are expelled from the university.
Misconduct Procedures
Defending yourself from dismissal is never an easy matter, and Colorado Tech is reticent to describe the full process in its Student Handbook. The university does note that in cases of alleged misconduct it undertakes an investigation into all complaints and that cases are then referred to the Student Conduct Committee for further action.
Throughout the process, you should expect the school to provide you with some important due process rights. For example,
- The school should notify you if you're under investigation.
- You should be treated as “Not Responsible” (innocent) until such time as you are proven “Responsible.”
- You should have the opportunity to respond to any charges.
- You should be allowed to examine all evidence in the case.
- You should be allowed to submit evidence and suggest witnesses.
- The school should notify you before any meetings or official proceedings.
- You should be adjudicated by administrative officials who are free of bias and prejudice.
- You should have the opportunity to appeal your case if you should discover new evidence or if you should find that some procedural error occurred during the case.
It's a troubling sign when a school refuses to outline its disciplinary procedures in more detail. For instance, Colorado Tech does not indicate whether students have a right to an advisor when they're charged with misconduct or whether that advisor can be an attorney. In any case, however, you have the right to consult an attorney and to seek help in developing your defense. Whether or not a Lento Law Firm attorney can accompany you to proceedings, they can serve a crucial role in drafting documents, gathering evidence, coming up with witness questions, and generally making sure the school respects your rights.
Academic Dismissal Cases
In the case of academic dismissals, you have the right to appeal the university's decision immediately, particularly if you can point to extenuating circumstances that explain your deficiencies. In addition, you have the right to petition the school's Appeals Committee for reinstatement at any time after you've been dismissed.
The attorneys at the Lento Law Firm are experienced when it comes to filing such appeals. They know exactly what type of evidence appeals committee typically look for and how to make you look your best on paper.
However, they know other useful strategies as well, many of which can help you avoid dismissal in the first place.
- You always have the right to ask your instructors for extra credit or makeup assignments. If your grade is borderline, one extra lab assignment or a paper rewrite could be enough to raise your GPA.
- You should never suffer mistreatment in the classroom. If you feel an instructor is treating you unfairly, you should bring this to the attention of your instructor's department head. You can also file a formal grievance with the university requesting a better grade.
- If you have a learning disability, you may be entitled to course accommodations. If you should discover you have such a disability, you can ask the university to drop low grades from your transcript and allow you to retake those courses with accommodations in place.
As with misconduct dismissal cases, the attorneys at the Lento Law Firm are well-versed in all of Colorado Tech's procedures and can help you develop and implement a plan to save your educational future.
Fighting for Your Future
By this point, you should have a clear sense of why you need the help of an attorney to fight dismissal decisions. Procedures can be complex and difficult to navigate, and the full weight of your school will be against you. Plus, it's no exaggeration to say that your entire future is on the line.
The Lento Law Firm was built to help students just like you handle all types of misconduct charges. The firm's Student Defense Team have dealt with everything from plagiarism allegations to rape 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. Most importantly, no matter what problem you're facing, they are on your side and will do everything in their power to get you the very best possible resolution to your case.
To find out more about what the Lento Law Firm can do for you, contact the firm today at 888-535-3686 and find out just what we can do to help. Or, use our automated online form.
