You've found yourself in trouble at Seminole State. Someone has mentioned the possibility of dismissal to you. Now you're wondering whether the situation is serious enough that you need to contact an attorney.
It is. Students often think they can just transfer to a new school when they find themselves in trouble. A hassle, but not the end of the world. Dismissal may not be the end of the world, but it is very likely the end of your academic career. Your transcript is now going to include an explanation of your dismissal. Other colleges and universities aren't going to let you in with that on your record.
Just as importantly, a dismissal defense is never an easy prospect. It's definitely not something you want to take on by yourself.
The good news is, the Lento Law Firm is here to help. We know your rights, and we know how Seminole State's administrative and judicial systems operate. Most importantly, our Student Defense Team is on your side. Whether you're entirely innocent or you simply made a mistake, we can make sure you're treated fairly and that you get the best possible resolution to your case.
To find out more, call 888-535-3686 or take a few minutes right now and fill out our online form.
Reasons for Dismissal from Seminole State College of Florida
Let's start with the basics. Before you do battle with your college, you need to understand exactly what you've been charged with. Only then can you properly defend yourself. If you're facing dismissal, it's likely for one of four reasons.
- Academic Standing: A low GPA is grounds for dismissal. One “F” or even a bad semester usually isn't enough to get you into that kind of trouble. Seminole State does have an academic standing policy, though. Anything below a 2.0 GPA means probation. Continue to struggle while on probation, and ultimately, you can be dismissed.
- Academic Misconduct: It's not just your brains that matter at Seminole State. Your conduct can be just as important. That starts with how you go about completing your coursework. Plagiarism, cheating, and any other sort of dishonesty are treated as "academic misconduct." As with your grades, one mistake isn't going to result in immediate dismissal. A second accusation, though, could be enough to get you expelled.
- Disciplinary Misconduct: The Student Code of Conduct doesn't just mention academic misconduct. There's a long list of offenses, everything from underage drinking to hazing. In these cases, most violations can get you dismissed—even first violations if they are serious enough.
- Sexual Misconduct: This is among the most serious charges a college student can face. No surprise, then, that most students who are found Responsible (guilty) wind up dismissed. It's worth knowing, as well, that Seminole State's sexual misconduct policy isn't just another policy. It's required by federal law under Title IX.
Misconduct Defenses
Understanding the accusations against you is a good start in building your defense. You're also going to need familiarity with the dismissal processes.
If you've been accused of some form of misconduct, here's what the process typically looks like.
- Cases begin with a complaint. That complaint might be made to the Office of Student Conduct or the school's Title IX Coordinator.
- In any case, you can expect the university to provide you with written notice of the charges. This notice should identify your accuser, explain the allegations, and include a list of your due process rights.
- You have a number of important rights, such as the right to be presumed "Not Responsible" (innocent) until proven otherwise and the right to review all the evidence against you. Perhaps your most important right is the right to an advisor. From the very beginning of your case, your Lento Law Firm attorney can accompany you to all meetings and proceedings and help you answer questions.
- A Student Conduct Officer will conduct an investigation. As part of this investigation, you'll be invited to meet with them and give your side of events. If there is a Complainant (alleged victim or accuser), the Conduct Officer will meet with them as well. They'll talk to witnesses, and they'll collect any physical evidence.
- Once the investigation is complete, the Conduct Officer submits a full report of their findings. This serves as the basis of the hearing that follows.
- Depending on the nature of the case, the university appoints one or more decision-makers to preside over the hearing.
- At the hearing, you may present your entire case. That means introducing evidence, calling witnesses, and cross-examining any witnesses against you. The other side in the case will have the opportunity to do the same.
- Cases at Seminole State are decided using a legal standard known as “preponderance of the evidence.” You're probably more familiar with the “beyond a reasonable doubt” standard. This one is less strict. It requires decision-makers to find you Responsible (guilty) if they are more than fifty percent convinced of your guilt.
- Among your due process rights, you also have the right to appeal the hearing outcome. You must have specific grounds for appeal, though. Disagreeing with the outcome won't work. You need a clear reason why justice was not done in the case: a procedural error, new evidence, or bias on the part of a decision-maker.
Within this general framework, cases can differ based on the specific charges you're facing. This is one reason mounting a dismissal defense can be so difficult. For instance, if you're charged with Title IX sexual misconduct, your advisor must conduct all cross-examination. That's not the case in other types of hearings. You have to be prepared for whatever you may face.
Your Lento Law Firm knows exactly what to expect from Seminole State's judicial processes. They know the rules and procedures, and they know how to use those rules and procedures to your best advantage.
Academic Dismissal Cases
You may have noticed that to this point, there's been no mention of academic dismissal cases. This is the one type of case that doesn't involve an investigation or a hearing. In fact, Seminole State only offers one formal option for challenging such dismissals.
If you can point to extenuating circumstances as the cause of your academic deficiencies—a serious illness, for example, or a family emergency—you can appeal the dismissal. If the college accepts your appeal, you gain an additional semester on probation.
Your Lento Law Firm attorney can help you to file an appeal if that's what you need. In addition, though, they know some other tips and tricks for challenging an academic dismissal. While these aren't formal methods of defense, they can be effective.
- For example, if you consistently struggle in your courses, you may have an undiagnosed learning disability. Your Lento Law Firm attorney can get you tested. If it turns out you do have a disability, they can also help you petition Seminole State to set aside your low grades. Then, you can retake those courses without penalty.
- You always have the right to file a grade appeal. If you think an instructor may be treating you unfairly or simply grading you too harshly, a successful appeal can solve the problem.
- You also have the right to ask any instructor for extra credit or makeup work. They can say no. If they say yes, however, an extra lab assignment or a paper rewrite could be enough to keep your GPA out of the danger zone.
Fighting for Your Future
By this point, it should be abundantly clear why trying to defend yourself from dismissal is always a dangerous proposition. It's no easy task taking on a university, and the stakes are incredibly high. Luckily, you don't have to go it alone. The Lento Law Firm was built to help students. Our Student Defense Team can also be fierce when it comes to protecting our clients, and we're not afraid of faculty and administrators.
Let us help you fight for your academic future. To find out more, contact the firm today at 888-535-3686. Or, fill out our online questionnaire.
