So you got into George Washington University—that's impressive.
It proves you're smart, disciplined, and hard-working. Earning your degree from GWU should be no problem, right?
You know better. Whatever your high school GPA or your SAT scores, you're basically starting over once you get to college. Courses are more rigorous than the classes you took in high school; professors are more demanding. And you won't just be learning to be a student: there's that whole adulting thing to master at the same time. Not everyone handles the transition to college well, and even the brightest minds sometimes find themselves dismissed before they've had a chance to graduate.
In what follows, you'll find information on all the different problems GWU typically students face as well as information on how to defend yourself if you should ever face dismissal from the university. Maybe the most important thing you need to know, though, is how to get help defending yourself. Taking on your school is no easy task, and you don't want to do it all on your own. So, you'll find information on how to do that as well.
Reasons for Dismissal at George Washington University
There are many different reasons why GWU might decide to dismiss you, from buying your freshman comp papers online to downloading pornography onto library computers. In general, though, all these various reasons can be grouped into four basic categories.
- Academic Performance: Probably the most obvious reason George Washington might dismiss you is for failing to perform academically. After all, you're there to be a student. The school's Academic Standing policy requires you to maintain a minimum 2.0 cumulative and term GPA. Fall below that number, and you could find yourself on academic probation or even expelled.
- Academic Misconduct: It's not enough to get good grades at GWU. You also have to do so honestly. The school's Code of Academic Integrity forbids things like cheating, plagiarism, fabrication, and falsification, and serious or multiple violations can get you dismissed.
- Disciplinary Misconduct: If the Code of Academic Integrity sets the rules for classroom behavior, the GWU Code of Conduct sets the rules for all your other behaviors. Here, you'll find strictures against things like underage drinking, unlawful entry, and theft. Any violation can potentially get you expelled. Some, though, like hazing and drug possession, are almost always punished with dismissal.
- Sexual Misconduct: Finally, you can also be charged with sexual misconduct as a student. Though this is technically a form of disciplinary misconduct, it is usually treated as a separate offense because allegations are subject to federal law under Title IX of the 1972 Education Amendments. In any case, dismissal is the most likely outcome.
The Adjudication Process
As a university student, you have the right to defend yourself against charges just as you would if you were arrested for a crime off campus. In fact, the investigative and adjudicative processes resemble those you'd face if you were arrested.
- Cases typically begin with an accusation against you. You are entitled to notification any time the school opens an investigation into your conduct.
- In all types of cases at GWU, you have the right to choose an advisor to help you defend yourself, and this advisor can be an attorney.
- Investigations can sometimes be as simple as collecting your classroom papers or interviewing you about your side of the story. However, they can also be complex and take several months to complete.
- At the conclusion of the investigation, the Investigator's summary of their findings serves as the basis for the next phase of the case, a hearing.
- All dismissal cases are subject to a formal hearing. This is a chance for you to argue your innocence by presenting evidence and calling witnesses to testify on your behalf. You also have the right to question complainants (accusers) and any other witnesses against you.
- All cases at GWU are decided using a legal standard known as “Preponderance of Evidence.” According to this standard, decision-makers must find you Responsible (guilty) if they believe it is more than 50 percent likely you committed an offense.
- Finally, decision-makers must also decide on an appropriate punishment for your offense.
You should know, however, that a campus hearing is not the same as an actual trial in an actual court of law. There are no formal rules, for instance, when it comes to submitting evidence. And you don't have to be found responsible “beyond a reasonable doubt” to be punished.
In addition, you should know that cases at GWU work differently depending on the type of charge you're facing. Academic misconduct cases, for example, are heard by an Academic Integrity Panel appointed by the University Integrity and Conduct Council. On the other hand, disciplinary misconduct cases are dealt with by a Student Conduct Panel appointed by the Student Rights and Responsibilities office. Meanwhile, sexual misconduct cases are handled by the school's Title IX Coordinator, who selects all Investigators and Decision Makers.
Appeals Processes
In addition to the basic right to defend yourself from charges, you also have the right to appeal at GWU. This ensures that one person or even one panel doesn't have total authority to sentence you to dismissal. Again, the specifics of your appeal will be based on the type of charge you are facing. However, there are some aspects of appeals that remain the same, no matter the charge.
- First, you must file your appeal within five days of learning of the hearing outcome.
- Grounds for appeal are strictly limited to issues like
- Procedural error
- The discovery of new evidence
- Bias on the part of an official
- A sanction disproportionate to the nature of the offense.
- Finally, you should know that appeals don't work like hearings. That is, you have no opportunity to make your case yourself. Instead, appeals officials consider your written statements and any documentary evidence you may provide in closed-door sessions.
Academic Dismissal Cases
There is one type of dismissal that is not subject to an investigation or a hearing: dismissal for poor academic performance. The reason for this is that such cases aren't normally open to debate. Either your GPA is high enough, or it isn't.
Nevertheless, there are ways to deal with an academic performance dismissal. If, for instance, your poor performance is the result of extenuating circumstances—a family emergency or a personal illness—you may be able to appeal to your college dean for additional probation rather than dismissal.
In other instances, you may find that a professor is willing to reconsider your work from the semester or offer you extra credit assignments to help raise your grade enough to avoid dismissal.
A qualified, experienced attorney-advisor will be able to explain these and other options you may have. They should also be able to help you pursue these options.
Fighting for Your Future
Most students find fighting dismissal a daunting proposition. Developing a defense strategy, collecting evidence, and talking to witnesses—take time and energy that most students just don't have. So, they wind up simply accepting their fate and moving on. You're never any worse off fighting and losing, though, than you would be just giving up.
More importantly, you aren't on your own. Joseph D. Lento is here to help. Joseph D. Lento built his practice helping students just like you handle all types of misconduct charges. He's dealt with everything from plagiarism allegations to rape charges. He knows how to negotiate with faculty and administrators; he knows how to formulate witness questions; he knows how to put together a water-tight appeal. Most importantly, no matter what problem you're facing, Joseph D. Lento is on your side and will do everything in his power to get you the very best possible resolution to your case.
To find out more, contact the Lento Law Firm today at 888-555-3686, or use our automated online form.
