If you're facing dismissal from your college or university for any reason, you have to take it seriously. Dismissal is no joke—at a minimum, it means the disruption of your education. More likely it means the end of your academic career. Few schools will take a risk of admitting a student who's already been dismissed from another school. You could find yourself out on the job market without a degree.
The good news is, you don't have to defend yourself all on your own. Attorney-advisor Joseph D. Lento and his Education Law Team are here to help. They know the law, they know the University of Houston system, and they've spent years helping students just like you fight for their rights.
Taking the threat of dismissal seriously means arming yourself with the best professional help you can find. No one handles educational issues better than Joseph D. Lento and his Education Law Team.
Reasons for Dismissal at the University of Houston
First things first: why exactly is the University of Houston trying to dismiss you? There are dozens of possible reasons, but for the most part, they can be grouped into four simple categories. Knowing which category your dismissal fits into will help you begin the process of developing a defense strategy.
- Academic Deficiencies: Perhaps the most obvious reason UH might dismiss you is for failing to meet academic standards. After all, studying and going to class is sort of your job. The University of Houston's academic standing policy requires students maintain at least a 2.0 cumulative grade point average. Should your GPA fall below that number, you can be placed on probation. Should you continue to struggle you face suspension and the possibility of permanent dismissal.
- Academic Misconduct: You can also be dismissed from UH for several different types of “misconduct.” The first of these is academic misconduct. This involves behaviors and actions related to your coursework, things like cheating, plagiarism, and misrepresentation. A minor infraction might result in a lower grade on the assignment or a lower grade in the course. A major infraction, though, or multiple offenses, often brings dismissal.
- Disciplinary misconduct: Your behaviors outside of class are governed by the UH Student Code of Conduct. This document addresses a wide variety of misconduct, from underage drinking to providing false statements to a university official. The school punishes violations with a wide range of sanctions, but dismissal is certainly always an option.
- Sexual misconduct: Sexual misconduct is almost always punished with dismissal. In part, that's because your school's response is mandated by federal law—Title IX. Your school must take allegations seriously and must investigate vigorously, or it risks losing federal funding.
Defending Yourself From Misconduct Charges
If you're facing any type of misconduct charges, the University of Houston has a clear set of policies and procedures for defending yourself. Once you know why the school is trying to dismiss you, then, it's a good idea to get familiar with what you can expect.
The broad outlines of the process should be the same no matter the specific allegation.
- Cases begin with a complaint made to the appropriate administrative office. For instance, academic misconduct is reported to a department head, disciplinary misconduct is reported to the Dean of Students and sexual misconduct is reported to the school's Title IX Coordinator.
- Assuming the complaint is credible, the school then initiates an investigation.
- Investigations involve interviews with both parties. In addition, Investigators collect any physical evidence and solicit witness testimony.
- The University of Houston gives you important due process rights throughout the investigation and hearing. For instance, the school must assume you are “Not Responsible” (innocent) until such time as you are proven “Responsible” (guilty). In addition, you have the right to an advisor, and this advisor can be—and should be—an attorney.
- At the conclusion of the investigation, the Investigator submits a written summary of their findings to be used during the hearing.
- The hearing is your opportunity to make your full case. You can make arguments, submit evidence, and call witnesses to testify. You may also cross-examine any witnesses against you.
- Once both sides have presented their case, a panel of decision-makers meets to decide whether or not you are Responsible for a policy violation. In doing so, they use a legal standard known as “preponderance of the evidence.” You may be familiar with other legal standards, like “beyond a reasonable doubt.” “Preponderance of the evidence” is less strict and requires decision-makers find you Responsible if they believe it is “more likely than not” that you committed an offense.
- In all cases, you have the right to appeal the hearing outcome, but only under certain conditions. Grounds for appeal are typically limited to a procedural error, new evidence, a finding not supported by the evidence, or a sanction disproportionate to the offense.
There are some key differences in how different types of charges are handled. For example, academic misconduct cases actually allow for two separate hearings—one at the departmental level and a second at the college level. In sexual misconduct cases, both parties have the right to cross-examine each other.
Whatever the allegation, Joseph D. Lento and his Education Law Team have the knowledge and experience to guide you through the process. They're familiar with all of the University of Houston's judicial procedures and can help you prepare a defense tailored to your specific situation.
Academic Dismissal Cases
Not every dismissal case involves misconduct. You can also be dismissed for academic deficiencies. Unfortunately, there are aren't any clear formal procedures for defending yourself against this type of dismissal at UH. That doesn't mean you should throw up your hands and accept defeat, though, should your GPA fall below the 2.0 mark. Joseph D. Lento and the Lento Law Firm Team know a number of useful approaches for fighting academic sanctions. For example,
- If your academic deficiencies are the result of circumstances beyond your control, like an illness or a family emergency, you can try appealing directly to the dean of your school or college.
- A learning disability can be grounds for setting a grade aside while you retake the course, even if your disability wasn't diagnosed at the time you originally took the course.
- You can also try negotiating with faculty. A strong argument—such as the fact that you did well on your final exam—can sometimes get you a higher course grade.
Again, Joseph D. Lento and the Lento Law Firm Team have been working with students for many years. They know who to talk to and what to say, and they're ready to put what they know to work for you.
Fighting for Your Future
By this point, you probably 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 likely be against you.
You need someone watching over your shoulder, making certain you're treated fairly and that you get the justice you deserve.
The Joseph D. Lento Law Firm Team was built on helping students just like you handle all types of misconduct 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. To find out more about exactly what Joseph D. Lento and his Education Law Team can do for you, contact the Lento Law Firm today, at 888-555-3686, or use our automated online form.
