You can't really face a more serious sanction at the University of Akron than dismissal. It's not just that you must leave school, though that's certainly true. Dismissal comes with a transcript notation about the nature of your offense. That can make it difficult or impossible to transfer to another school. Dismissal, then, essentially means the end of your entire academic career.
In other words, if someone has mentioned the prospect of dismissal, you really don't have any choice but to fight. After all, what do you have to lose?
The Lento Law Firm is here to help you in that fight. Our Student Defense Team knows your rights under the law. We also know how the University of Akron's administrative and judicial procedures work. We'll stand beside you and ensure you're treated fairly, and we won't rest until you have the best possible resolution to your case.
For more information, call 888-535-3686 or take a few minutes right now and fill out our online form.
Reasons for Dismissal from the University of Akron
As a starting point, it's useful to know just what can get you dismissed at the University of Akron. One low grade won't do it. Even if you get caught cheating, you can probably still survive. So, what is it that can get you into this most serious type of trouble?
There are basically four categories of offense at the University of Akron.
- Academic Misconduct: First offenses usually bring in-class sanctions like lowered grades, though you could find yourself removed from a course. However, if you wind up caught a second time, dismissal is definitely a possibility.
- Disciplinary Misconduct: Your behavior outside of class is just as important as your behavior in class. The university's Code of Student Conduct prohibits things like theft, trespassing, underage drinking, and weapons possession. Any violation can get you dismissed if it is serious enough.
- Sexual Misconduct: This category of offense almost always leads to dismissal. Federal law, Title IX, requires the University of Akron to investigate allegations of sexual misconduct and encourages harsh penalties.
- Academic Deficiencies: Finally, you can also be dismissed simply for the quality of your academic work. The school's academic standing policy requires you to maintain a minimum 2.0 GPA. Anything below that number, and you're placed on academic probation. Continue to struggle, and you can also be dismissed.
Misconduct Defenses
How you deal with the threat of dismissal depends on the nature of the threat. If you've been charged with some form of misconduct, you're subject to the University of Akron's judicial system. Here's what you can expect.
- Misconduct cases typically begin when someone lodges a complaint against you. That could be another student, it could be an instructor, or it could be the university itself.
- Any time you are under investigation at the University of Akron, you are entitled to a Notice of the Charges. That Notice should include details about any allegations against you and a list of your due process rights, such as your right to a presumption of “Not Responsible” (innocence) and your right to review evidence in the case.
- Among your rights, you have the right to an advisor, and this advisor can be an attorney. It's important you contact the Lento Law Firm the moment you know you have been charged—or, if possible, before—since you need someone protecting your rights immediately.
- Investigators usually begin by asking both sides in the case to give statements. Additionally, they will interview any witnesses and collect physical evidence.
- Ultimately, investigators are tasked with submitting a written report of their findings. Once they've done this, the university sets a time and date for a hearing and appoints one or more decision-makers to preside over the case.
- Like any judicial proceeding, the hearing is an opportunity for both sides in the case to make arguments. You may introduce evidence, including calling witnesses to testify. Additionally, you may raise questions for any witnesses against you.
- Hearings at the University of Akron are decided using the legal standard “preponderance of the evidence” rather than “beyond a reasonable doubt.” In making their determination, decision-makers must consider whether it is “more likely than not” that you committed an offense.
- You do have the right to appeal the hearing outcome should you lose your case. However, grounds for appeal are strictly limited to
- Whether there was a misinterpretation of the rule that was allegedly violated;
- Whether there was a violation of procedure in the prosecution of the hearing;
- Whether there was a reasonable basis for the hearing decision;
- Whether the sanctions imposed were proportionate to the nature of the offense;
- Whether new evidence might potentially change the hearing outcome.
Keep in mind that, while this general outline applies in all cases, rules and procedures can differ depending on the specific nature of the charges. For example, in academic and disciplinary cases, only decision-makers may ask questions of witnesses. In Title IX sexual misconduct cases, however, only advisors may ask questions. The difference can have a big impact on how you conduct your defense.
You can be certain that your Lento Law Firm attorney is fully informed about how your case will proceed and that they will guide you through processes, start to finish, no matter what the charges.
Academic Dismissal Cases
If you're dealing with an academic dismissal case, you'll be facing a different set of procedures. These dismissals are based almost exclusively on your GPA. There's no need for an investigation or a hearing to establish that. Thus, in most cases, dismissal is automatic.
Nevertheless, there are a number of options for preventing dismissal in these cases. For example,
- If your academic deficiencies are the result of extenuating circumstances, such as a family emergency or a long-term illness, you can appeal directly to the dean of your college for more time to improve.
- If you earn a C- or worse in a course, the University of Akron allows you to retake courses, and your new grade replaces your old grade. While the old grade will remain on your transcript, earning a new grade can be an easy way to raise your GPA.
- An even faster way to raise your GPA is to ask instructors for extra credit or makeup assignments. Not all instructors will be receptive to these requests, but if they are a single paper rewrite or an extra lab assignment, it could be enough to raise your course grade and, thus, your GPA.
Here again, no matter what your particular situation, you can count on your Lento Law Firm attorney to know all the options and to work with you to come up with a workable plan.
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.
