Earning a college degree is tough these days. How tough? Plenty of students don't make it to graduation. In fact, Oklahoma State University dismisses dozens of students every year for everything from low GPA to stalking.
How do you make sure you're not one of them?
- First, you need to know the OSU rules. What are the GPA standards? What happens if you get caught cheating? What are the other important rules at the university?
- Next, you need to know how to defend yourself from any allegation. That means gaining a basic understanding of OSU's judicial processes and procedures.
- More important than anything else, you need to know how to get help. It's no simple matter fighting a dismissal charge as a college student, and you don't want to do it all on your own.
The Lento Law Firm was founded to help students get the fair treatment they deserve. The firm's Student Defense Team can offer advice if that's what you need, but they can also provide full representation on misconduct issues. For more information on our many services, call 888-535-3686 or use the firm's automated online form.
Reasons for Dismissal from Oklahoma State
There are so many different reasons that OSU can dismiss you that we can't list them all here. For the most part, though, they can all be grouped into four basic categories.
- Academic Performance: Sometimes dismissal is as simple as not keeping up with OSU's GPA requirements. The university's Academic Standing policy requires you to earn at least a 2.0 GPA. You won't be dismissed just for falling below that number, but if you should fall below that number and stay there, dismissal is certainly an option.
- Academic Misconduct: OSU's academic misconduct policy is just as strict as its academic standing policy. All forms of dishonesty, including cheating and plagiarism, are expressly prohibited. Again, one violation probably isn't enough to lead to dismissal. Multiple violations, though, often result in dismissal.
- Disciplinary Misconduct: Outside the classroom, your general campus behavior is governed by yet another set of rules known as the Student Code of Conduct. The Code bars things like underage drinking, trespassing, and theft. Any violation can result in dismissal if it's serious enough.
- Sexual Misconduct: Finally, Title IX—a federal law—prohibits sexual discrimination and harassment on college campuses and requires all schools to develop policies to prevent such discrimination and harassment. Under Title IX, schools are required to investigate all credible complaints and to punish Responsible (guilty) students with severe sanctions. Dismissal is actually the most common punishment in such cases.
Misconduct Procedures
Just as in normal everyday life, you always have the right to defend yourself from misconduct charges at Oklahoma State University. How you do that may depend on the precise nature of the charges against you. However, the general process is the same in all cases.
- Cases begin with a complaint made either to the office of Student Conduct and Support or—in the case of Title IX sexual misconduct allegations—the university's Title IX Coordinator.
- You have a number of important rights as the Respondent to the complaint. The first of these is the right to notification of the charges. You should be given full details of the allegation and a list of your other rights.
- Another important right you have as a Respondent is the right to an advisor. In fact, not only can you select someone to help you prepare your defense, but your advisor can be an attorney. Oklahoma State is somewhat unique among universities in that it allows you to be represented by your advisor at a hearing.
- Investigators give you an opportunity to give your side of the story. Your Lento Law Firm attorney can help you answer questions. In addition, investigators interview witnesses and collect any physical evidence.
- Once the investigation is complete, investigators submit a written summary of their findings to the university. The university then sets a time and date for a hearing and appoints one or more decision-makers to preside over the case.
- As in a court case, the hearing gives both sides the chance to make their cases. You may offer arguments, submit evidence, and call witnesses to testify. You may also cross-examine any witnesses against you.
- A university hearing is not a court case, though. Among the differences, decision-makers don't have to find you Responsible (guilty) “beyond a reasonable doubt.” In fact, they use another legal standard: “preponderance of the evidence.” In simple terms, they must find you guilty if they believe you “more likely than not” committed an offense.
- You have yet one more right: the right to appeal the hearing outcome. However, you may only do so under certain conditions. These include a variation in procedure, the discovery of new evidence, and a sanction disproportionate to the offense.
There are some key differences, especially between how general misconduct and sexual misconduct cases work. Because they are governed by Title IX, sexual misconduct cases provide you with some rights you might not have in other cases. For instance, you are allowed to cross-examine the Complainant, and they are allowed to cross-examine you.
No matter what the charges, though, the Lento Law Firm's Student Defense Team understands the procedures and knows how to use them to your best advantage. We'll walk you through the process and protect your rights every step of the way.
Academic Dismissal Cases
Misconduct cases at OSU always involve an investigation and a hearing. Not so academic dismissal cases. Dismissal, in these instances, is based on your GPA, and that's not normally a matter of debate.
However, you can appeal an academic dismissal if your grade deficiencies are the result of extenuating circumstances, such as a long-term illness or a family emergency. Successful appeals mean immediate reinstatement.
In addition, the Lento Law Firm's Student Defense Team knows a number of strategies for avoiding academic dismissals altogether. For example,
- If you have a learning disability, you may be eligible for classroom accommodations. If you should discover you have a disability, you can petition the university to drop low grades from your GPA and allow you to retake those courses without penalty.
- If you're facing dismissal after the spring semester, you can still enroll in summer courses. If you can earn a 2.0 for this coursework, you can continue at OSU during the fall semester under probation.
- You always have the option to ask a professor for makeup or extra credit work. Simply re-writing a paper might be enough to raise your GPA and avoid dismissal.
As with misconduct dismissals, the attorneys at the Lento Law Firm can help you decide on the best course of action and will work with you to follow that course of action.
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 has 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.
