Making it through college is never an easy proposition. Need proof? Check out just how many students the University of Arkansas dismisses every year.
These dismissals aren't just for failing courses either. Your behavior as a student and as a member of the UA community is under constant scrutiny, and the slightest misstep can put your academic career in jeopardy.
How do you protect yourself?
First, you make sure you know the rules. What exactly is it that can get you dismissed, and how do you avoid making a mistake? Next, you learn about UA's judicial processes and procedures. The fact is, sometimes trouble finds you despite your best efforts, and you need to be prepared if it does.
Finally, though, you find out how to get help. It's never easy to take on your university. You'll find that faculty and administration close ranks any time a student is accused of violating school policy. You need someone in your corner, someone who knows the law and who understands the UA system. You need an attorney from the Lento Law Firm. Call 888-555-3686 or reach out through our automated online form.
Reasons for Dismissal at the University of Arkansas
There are so many different reasons why UA might decide to dismiss you that we can't list them all here. What we can do, though, is give you a set of categories of dismissable offenses.
- Academic Performance: You came to the University of Arkansas to learn, so it should come as no surprise to you that falling behind academically is grounds for dismissal. UA won't dismiss you just because you do poorly in one class. In fact, there are a set of rules for what happens when you're struggling. If your GPA should fall below 2.0, for example, the university first places you on probation. If you consistently struggle to pass your courses, though, you can eventually face dismissal.
- Academic Misconduct: High academic standards sometimes drive students to cheat. That's always a mistake. You can be dismissed for committing academic misconduct just as quickly as you can be dismissed for a low GPA. First offenses generally result in course penalties like lowered assignment grades. Second offenses, though, are often punished with dismissal.
- Disciplinary Misconduct: As part of the UA community, you're also subject to a set of conduct rules known as the Code of Student Life. The Code covers issues like disorderly conduct, weapons possession, and underage drinking. Any violation can potentially get you dismissed. Some, such as drug possession or hazing, almost always result in dismissal.
- Sexual Misconduct: Sexually-based offenses are generally punished with dismissal as well. These are among the most serious charges a student can face. In fact, sexual misconduct isn't just a matter of university policy. Under Title IX, it's a violation of federal law. The government requires schools to investigate all credible allegations and encourages harsh penalties.
Misconduct Procedures
A charge of misconduct doesn't necessarily mean you'll be dismissed. You do have the right to defend yourself in all misconduct cases and important due process rights to help protect you as you do so. Here's a brief overview of how the process works.
- Cases begin with a complaint. As the subject of the complaint, you are referred to as the Respondent. Your accuser is the Complainant. At issue is whether or not you are Responsible for (guilty of) the complaint.
- You have the right to notification of charges against you. This notification should include details about the allegation. In addition, it should apprise you of your other rights, such as the right to a presumption of innocence and the right to review evidence in the case.
- The university then conducts some form of investigation into the complaint. This can be as simple as reviewing documents associated with a cheating allegation, or it can be an in-depth collection of physical evidence and witness testimony that takes several months.
- Ultimately, investigators are required to submit a written summary of their findings. This summary serves as the foundation of the hearing that follows.
- The hearing is your best opportunity to make your full case. You are allowed to make statements on your own behalf, to introduce evidence, and to call witnesses to testify. You may also cross-examine witnesses against you. Of course, the Complainant presents their entire case as well.
- At the conclusion of the hearing, appointed decision-makers determine whether or not you are Responsible for an offense. To do this, they employ a legal standard known as “preponderance of the evidence.” Simply put, they must find you Responsible if they are more than fifty percent certain you committed an offense.
- You do have the right to appeal the hearing outcome, but only in very specific circumstances. These include
- Violations of your due process rights
- A disproportionate sanction
- The discovery of new evidence relevant to the findings
- A result that is not supported by the evidence
Cases can differ in important ways, depending on the specific nature of the charge. For example, academic misconduct cases are under the jurisdiction of the Academic Integrity Board, while disciplinary issues are handled by the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, and sexual misconduct is under the purview of the Title IX Coordinator.
In most cases, you're entitled to choose an advisor, and this advisor can be an attorney. They cannot speak on your behalf, but they can accompany you to all meetings and proceedings. Even in cases where you're not allowed an advisor, though, an attorney can serve a vital role in helping you to prepare your defense. They can work with you to come up with the best strategies, help you collect and organize evidence, and even give you practice in presenting your case.
Academic Dismissal Cases
Academic dismissal cases can be quite different from misconduct dismissal cases. Perhaps the most important difference is that there's no formal process for challenging an academic dismissal decision. You have no right to an investigation and no chance to make your case at a hearing. UA considers such dismissals to be a matter of objective fact—your GPA—and doesn't treat that fact as reviewable.
Even in these cases, though, the Lento Law Firm can help you salvage your academic career. The attorneys at the firm are well-versed in the UA system and can offer advice on avoiding sanctions, including dismissal. For example,
- Extenuating circumstances could be grounds for more time to improve. You should bring these to the attention of your school or college dean.
- If you should discover you have an undiagnosed disability, you can ask the university to set aside your low grades and allow you to retake those courses with accommodations in place.
- You can try negotiating directly with your instructors. You might, for instance, ask for extra credit assignments if your grade is borderline. Or, you might try an evidence-based argument, such as arguing that your progress over the course of a semester warrants a higher grade than you received.
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 Student Defense Team responds to all types of misconduct charges. They 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 they can do for you, contact the Lento Law Firm today at 888-555-3686 or use our automated online form.
