Lots of things can go wrong when you're in college. In fact, you'll probably make more mistakes during these four years than at any other time in your life. Why? You're at a unique moment in your life. It's sort of your job to explore, to test boundaries, to see what's possible. When you're trying to establish your independence and figure out who you really are, you're going to get it wrong, at least as much as you get it right.
How do you make sure your mistakes don't stand in the way of getting to your future? First, you have to make sure you know where the boundaries are. What are the mistakes that go too far that put your college career in jeopardy? Second, you make sure you know how to handle mistakes when you make them. What are the rules and procedures for defending yourself when you wind up in a little trouble? And last but not least, you make sure you know how to get help when you need it.
If you're facing dismissal from the University of Colorado at Denver for any reason, the Lento Law Firm is here to help. We're on your side. We want to make sure your school treats you fairly and that you have every opportunity to earn your degree. We're always just a phone call away at 888-535-3686, or use our automated online form.
Reasons for Dismissal at the University of Colorado, Denver
Avoiding serious mistakes in college isn't as easy as it sounds. It turns out there are dozens of reasons the University of Colorado, Denver can dismiss you. The good news is that almost all of them belong to one of four categories. Know these, and you should be able to avoid most trouble.
- Academic Performance: You came to CU Denver to be a student, and the university will hold you to that. The school's Academic Standing policy requires all students maintain no less than a 2.0 cumulative grade point average. Anything below that number and there are penalties. You won't be dismissed the moment you start to struggle. If you consistently fail courses, though, you can eventually find yourself dismissed.
- Academic Misconduct: It goes through most students' minds sooner or later: maybe there's a shortcut I can take to get all this work done. The thing is, you can be dismissed for academic dishonesty as quickly as you can be dismissed for a low GPA. CU Denver's Academic Integrity policy bars cheating, plagiarism, fabrication, falsification, multiple submissions, and the misuse of academic materials. Again, a single mistake probably won't get you dismissed. Violate the policy more than once, though, and you could find yourself packing your bags.
- Disciplinary Misconduct: It's not just cheating that can get you into trouble at CU Denver. Your campus conduct is under just as much scrutiny as your coursework. Things like trespassing, vandalism, and disorderly conduct have serious consequences, including dismissal. Some offenses, like hazing, weapons possession, and drug use, almost always result in dismissal.
- Sexual Misconduct: Sexually-based offenses are among the most serious charges any student can face. Such misconduct isn't just a violation of school policy. Sexual discrimination and harassment are regulated by Title IX, a federal law. The government requires schools to investigate all credible offenses and encourages severe penalties. Dismissal is always the most likely sanction.
Misconduct Procedures
We all make mistakes. Or maybe you've done your best to stay out of trouble, but trouble has come looking for you. In either case, you need to know how to defend yourself when you're facing a charge of misconduct.
- Most cases begin with a complaint lodged either with the Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards or, in the case of a Title IX allegation, the Title IX Coordinator.
- Any time you're under investigation, the university must provide you with a Notice of the Charges. This notice should include details about the allegation and a list of your due process rights.
- One of your most important rights is the right to an advisor. Further, you may choose an attorney to serve as your advisor. This means that someone from the Lento Law Firm can be on hand to offer advice from the moment you are charged.
- Investigators should give you an opportunity to give your side of the story. In addition, they'll speak with the Complainant (your accuser) and any other relevant witnesses. They'll also collect any physical evidence.
- Once they've completed their work, investigators submit a written summary of their findings. The university then sets a time and date for an official hearing and appoints one or more decision-makers to preside over the case.
- At the hearing, you may present your full case. You have the opportunity to make opening and closing statements, to offer up evidence, and to call witnesses. Of course, the Complainant gets to make their case as well.
- A university hearing is not a criminal trial. Among the many differences, the standard for deciding Responsibility (guilt) is “preponderance of the evidence” rather than “beyond a reasonable doubt.” This standard requires decision-makers find you Responsible if they believe it is “more likely than not” that you committed an offense.
- You have the right to appeal the hearing outcome, but only in very particular circumstances. These include a procedural error, clear bias on the part of a decision maker, or a disproportionate sanction.
This general outline applies to all misconduct cases. However, cases can differ in significant ways based on the exact nature of the charges. For example, all questions in disciplinary misconduct cases must be submitted to decision-makers who actually do the asking. In Title IX cases, however, advisors must ask all questions.
The Student Defense Team at the Lento Law Firm is experienced with all of CU Denver's judicial procedures and can help guide you through the process no matter what charges you're facing.a
Academic Dismissal Cases
There are no formal procedures for defending yourself from an academic dismissal. However, the attorneys at the Lento Law Firm know a number of useful informal strategies for protecting you in these cases as well. For example,
- If your low GPA is the result of extenuating circumstances, such as a death in the family or a hospitalization, you can appeal directly to your school or college dean.
- Some CU Denver faculty are open to grade negotiation. For example, if your grade is borderline, you might try asking for extra credit or makeup assignments.
- If you should discover you have an undiagnosed learning disability, you can ask the university to set your low grades aside and allow you to retake those courses with appropriate accommodations in place.
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. 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.
