We don't want to alarm you, but not everyone who enrolls at Northeastern University manages to graduate. NU has a stellar reputation, which means if you make it through, your future is almost guaranteed to be bright. A school only gets a stellar reputation, though, if its programs are rigorous and demanding. The fact is NU dismisses dozens of students every semester. If you happen to be one of them, it means transferring to a less-prestigious university or entering the job market with no degree at all.
How do you make sure you're not one of them? You start by learning all you can about what can get you into trouble. Forewarned is forearmed, as the saying goes. Next, you make sure you know how to defend yourself, just in case trouble should come looking for you. And last but not least you find out how to get help if you need it. It's never a good idea to take on your school alone.
National Student Defense Attorney-Advisor Joseph D. Lento built his career helping students just like you get the justice they deserve. He and his Education Law Team know the Northeastern system. Whether you're looking to negotiate a higher grade or challenge a charge of sexual misconduct, they have the skills and experience to help you keep your future bright.
Reasons for Dismissal at Northeastern University
First things first: just what exactly can get you expelled from Northeastern?
- Academic Performance: It probably comes as no surprise that NU expects you to excel as a student. To make sure you do, the school has developed an “academic standing” policy. In simple terms, you must maintain a minimum 2.0 cumulative grade point average and successfully complete at least 12 hours each semester. If you can't meet these standards, you face probation. If you continue to struggle while on probation, you face dismissal.
- Academic Misconduct: NU expects you to earn your degree honestly, and you can face stiff penalties if you try to take shortcuts. The academic misconduct policy prohibits cheating, plagiarism, fabrication, unauthorized collaboration, and any other activity that might tend to give you an unfair advantage in completing your coursework. Serious and repeat offenses can result in dismissal from the university.
- Disciplinary Misconduct: You aren't just expected to maintain integrity in terms of your coursework. All your campus activities are subject to a Student Code of Conduct. This document forbids activities like trespassing, damaging school property, and misusing computer resources. Any violation can get you expelled, but some—like hazing and drug possession—almost always result in expulsion.
- Sexual Misconduct: Another offense that typically results in dismissal is sexual misconduct. In fact, sexually-based offenses aren't just a matter of school policy but federal law. Title IX bans sexual discrimination and harassment on college campuses and requires schools to take allegations seriously.
Misconduct Procedures
Basically, then, you can be dismissed for misconduct or academic deficiencies. Let's start by examining what happens if you're accused of misconduct.
For the most part, procedures are the same whether you're dealing with academic, disciplinary, or sexual misconduct charges.
- Cases begin with an accusation by a Complainant to either the Office of Student Conduct and Conflict Resolution (OSCCR) or—in the case of sexually-based allegations—the Title IX Coordinator.
- If the school deems the allegation credible, it initiates some form of investigation. In some instances, such as academic misconduct cases, investigations are relatively straightforward and involve nothing more than an interview with both parties and an examination of the documentary evidence. Other investigations—those for sexual misconduct cases, for instance—can be complex and take several weeks to complete.
- The investigative findings become the foundation for a formal hearing. Hearings take place before a Student Conduct Board made up of five students.
- At the hearing, both sides have the right to make statements, present evidence, and call witnesses.
- Ultimately, the Student Conduct Board must determine whether or not you are Responsible for a violation. To make this decision, they use a legal standard known as “preponderance of the evidence.” Far less strict than “beyond a reasonable doubt,” this standard requires they find you Responsible if they believe it is “more likely than not” that you committed an offense.
- Finally, you can appeal the hearing outcome, but only under certain conditions. Grounds for appeal are strictly limited to new evidence, a procedural error, or a disproportionate sanction. In addition, all appeals must be filed within five days of notification of the outcome.
This general outline is applicable to all three types of misconduct cases. However, because Title IX cases are subject to federal law, there are some important differences in how they are handled.
- In academic and disciplinary cases, you may select an advisor, but this advisor must be drawn from the Northeastern community. In Title IX cases, you have the right to select an attorney as your advisor.
- Investigations must be undertaken in an unbiased way, and, in fact, Respondents and Complainants are entitled to review the Investigative Report and suggest revisions before the hearing begins.
- At the hearing, both sides have the right not only to call witnesses but to through their advisors cross-examine each other and any witnesses against them.
Joseph D. Lento is familiar with how all cases work at Northeastern and can advise you on exactly how to proceed, no matter what charges you might be facing.
Academic Dismissal Cases
If you are facing dismissal for academic deficiencies, the procedures for challenging that dismissal are somewhat different. You do have the option to appeal a dismissal decision to your school or college's Academic Standing Committee. However, you do not have the right to a full hearing in these cases. Instead, decisions are based on a statement from you and any documentary evidence that might explain your mitigating circumstances.
There are other options for dealing with an impending dismissal as well. Some professors, for instance, are open to the possibility of re-considering a student's work from the semester or even assigning extra credit assignments. However, it's not always easy to know who to approach or what to say.
Again, whatever kind of dismissal you may be facing, Joseph D. Lento understands how Northeastern University works and can help you craft a plan and put it into action.
Fighting for Your Future
By this point, you should have a clear sense of why you need the help of an attorney-advisor 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.
Joseph D. Lento built his practice helping students just like you handle all types of misconduct charges. He and his Education Law 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 Joseph D. Lento can do for you, contact the Lento Law Firm today at 888-555-3686 or use our automated online form.
