College isn't easy, and we're not just talking about calculus. Sure, courses are tough, and faculty are demanding, but college students are also under more scrutiny than probably any other population in the country. Everywhere you go, someone's watching you, and the slightest misstep can mean big trouble. Exhibit A: the University of Arizona dismisses dozens of students every year for everything from low grades to underage drinking.
Don't be one of them. At the first sign of a problem, contact Joseph D. Lento and the Lento Law Firm Education Law Team. They know the law. They also know how your school operates, including in-depth information on judicial processes.
You should never simply accept dismissal; you have to fight for your future. That's not easy to do on your own, though. You're far better off with Joseph D. Lento and the Lento Law Firm Team by your side.
Reasons for Dismissal at the University of Arizona
What exactly can get you dismissed from UA? It turns out there are too many rules to list here. However, they can be grouped into four basic categories.
- Academic Performance: Your first job as a student is to learn. Stop going to class, or quit bothering to study, and you could quickly find yourself struggling academically. That could mean a warning or probation. If it continues, it could also mean expulsion.
- Academic Misconduct: All colleges and universities take academic misconduct extremely seriously these days. Obviously, you know better than to cheat or to try and plagiarize a paper. In fact, anything that could potentially give you an unfair advantage as a student is forbidden. One offense can get you anything from a warning to an F in the class. Those punishments are bad enough. Repeat offenses, though, can definitely get you dismissed.
- Disciplinary Misconduct: UA's policies on conduct outside the classroom are every bit as strict as its policies on conduct in the classroom. In fact, you'll find more rules in the Student Code of Conduct than in any other university document. Any violation can get you dismissed. Some, though, like drug possession and hazing, almost always bring dismissal.
- Sexual Misconduct: This one is technically a form of disciplinary misconduct, and, in fact, it's mentioned in the Code of Conduct. However, sexual misconduct is treated differently, in part because, under Title IX, it's a violation of federal law. These violations, too, though, are almost always punished with dismissal.
Defending Yourself From Misconduct Charges
If you've been charged with misconduct—of any type—the University of Arizona gives you the right to defend yourself. Procedures for minor offenses can differ widely depending on the specific type of accusation—academic, disciplinary, or sexual. If you are facing dismissal, though, you're entitled to a thorough investigation and a full hearing, no matter the charges. Here's what those processes look like.
- Cases usually begin with a specific allegation made by a Complainant (accuser) against you (the Respondent). Academic misconduct charges typically originate with your academic Dean. Disciplinary misconduct charges originate with the Dean of Students. Sexual misconduct charges originate with the Title IX Coordinator.
- The first job of the official who has received the complaint is to decide if it merits investigation.
- If you are being investigated, you have the right to an advisor, and in all cases, you have the right to choose an attorney as your advisor. At UA, your advisor may fully represent you, making opening statements on your behalf, for instance, and conducting an examination and cross-examination of witnesses.
- The Dean or a representative of their office conducts the actual investigation, except in sexual misconduct cases, where a specially trained investigator is appointed by the Title IX Coordinator. You have a chance during the process to meet with the Investigator and offer your side of the story. You may also offer physical evidence and suggest witnesses they might interview.
- At the conclusion of the investigation, the Dean makes a decision as to your level of responsibility. If they find you responsible and prescribe dismissal as the punishment, you are then entitled to appeal that finding to the University Hearing Board. The exception is sexual misconduct cases. Investigators in these cases are always required to take a neutral stance. That is, they do not determine responsibility. In addition, you are always entitled to a hearing in such cases.
- Once both sides have had a chance to present their cases, decision-makers deliberate as to whether or not you are “Responsible for” (guilty of) an offense. They use a legal standard known as “preponderance of the evidence.” This standard requires them to find you Responsible if they believe it is “more likely than not” that you violated policy. Not that this is a far less rigorous standard than the one you may be used to, “beyond a reasonable doubt.”
- Finally, you have the right to appeal the hearing outcome of any dismissal case directly to the Provost. However, you cannot simply file an appeal because you don't like the verdict. Grounds for appeal are limited to
- New evidence
- Procedural error
- A finding not justified by the evidence
- A sanction disproportionate to the offense
- Bias on the part of an official (in Title IX cases only)
Academic Dismissal Cases
There is one type of dismissal that has nothing to do with misconduct: academic dismissal. In these cases, decisions are based almost exclusively on your grade point average. That means there isn't always a clear procedure for challenging such decisions. UA does offer an appeals process in the case of dismissal, and if your appeal is successful, you're allowed an additional semester on probation. However, appeals are usually only granted in cases of extenuating circumstances, such as a family emergency or a medical crisis.
Luckily, Joseph D. Lento and his Education Law Team know the University of Arizona system well enough to be able to suggest some additional, informal ways of dealing with the threat of academic dismissal. You may, for instance, be able to negotiate with some faculty for higher scores. While Joseph D. Lento's and the Lento Law Firm Team can't conduct that negotiation for you, they can help you prepare—identifying who to talk to, working out the best arguments, and coaching you on what to say.
In short, no matter what type of dismissal you're facing, Joseph D. Lento and his Team have your back.
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. Campus judicial 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. You know what happens to people who go into the workforce with no college degree.
You need someone watching over your shoulder, making certain you're treated fairly and that you get the justice you deserve.
The Lento Law Firm was built on helping students just like you handle all types of misconduct charges. Joseph D. Lento and his Education Law Team have dealt with every sort of charge. They know how to negotiate with faculty and administrators; they know how to interview witnesses; they know how to put together water-tight appeals. To find out more about what Joseph D. Lento and his team can do for you, contact the Lento Law Firm today at 888-555-3686, or use our automated online form.
