Don't let anyone fool you: college is tough. How tough? The University of Iowa dismisses dozens of students every year for everything from low grades to plagiarism to stalking.
What do you do if you find yourself in trouble and the university mentions the possibility of dismissal?
First, you find out everything you can about your situation. You need to know all the details of the charges against you. You need to know the judicial procedures for defending yourself from those particular charges.
Then, you get help. Taking on your university is always a daunting prospect, but the University of Iowa's rules and procedures can be especially difficult to navigate. Every type of offense is subject to a different process, and all of those processes are complex. You don't have to deal with this situation all on your own, though. The team at the Lento Law Firm has the background and experience to handle whatever problem you might be facing. They've helped hundreds of students protect their rights and avoid dismissal, and they're committed to helping you salvage your future.
Academic Dismissals
Maybe the most obvious reason the University of Iowa can dismiss you is for failing to keep your GPA up. After all, you're a student, and your first priority has to be going to class and studying.
Each college at the university maintains its own Academic Standing policy, but most resemble that of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. That policy requires you to maintain a minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA and earn at least a 1.5 GPA every term. Anything lower and you are subject to Academic Probation. Continue to struggle, and UI will dismiss you entirely.
If your academic deficiencies are the result of extenuating circumstances—a serious illness, for instance, or a family emergency—you can apply for immediate revocation of your dismissal to the Student Academic Standards Committee.
The professionals at the Lento Law Firm know other strategies for avoiding academic dismissal as well, such as filing a claim with Disability Services, documenting your stress levels through Counseling Services, and negotiating directly with instructors for higher course grades. Whatever your situation, they can help you develop a plan and will work with you to put that plan into action.
Academic Misconduct Dismissals
The University of Iowa takes all forms of academic misconduct seriously. If your instructor accuses you of cheating or plagiarism, they have almost total authority to assign you sanctions, including lowered grades on the assignment and lowered course grades. In addition, they are required to report their findings to the academic dean of your college, and the dean can assign additional penalties up to and including dismissal.
Challenging an academic misconduct accusation involves appealing up your college's chain of command. You begin by meeting with your instructor. Should that fail to resolve the issue, you can then meet with the department head and, ultimately, the Associate Dean for Undergraduate Education. In extreme cases, you can take your appeal to the university's Associate Provost for Undergraduate Education.
Informal appeals like these can require delicate negotiation skills. You can trust the team at the Lento Law Firm to help you develop your argument and collect evidence, but they can also coach you in the fine art of negotiating with faculty and administrators.
Disciplinary Misconduct Dismissals
Beyond the classroom, your general campus conduct is governed by the University of Iowa Code of Student Life. That Code contains strictures against everything from trespassing to misuse of computer resources. Any violation can potentially result in your dismissal from the university.
Cases are handled by the Office of Student Accountability, which assigns an Investigator to pursue allegations. As part of the process, you have the right to meet with the Investigator, present your side of the story, and submit any relevant evidence about your case. In addition, you have the right to bring two support persons with you to these meetings, and you're allowed to choose an attorney to serve as one of them. This means someone from the Lento Law Firm can be with you throughout the process to advise you on what you should say and how you should act.
However, the university does not afford you the right to defend yourself at a formal hearing. Ultimately, the Investigator alone decides whether or not you are Responsible for an offense. In addition, they don't have to find you guilty “beyond a reasonable doubt.” Instead, they must find you Responsible if they are more than fifty percent convinced you committed a violation.
While you have some due process rights during these investigations, you don't have nearly the same rights you would have during a criminal trial. As a result, it's vital you have the team from the Lento Law Firm at your side, not just to advise you but to ensure you are treated fairly every step of the way.
Sexual Misconduct Dismissals
Sexual misconduct is among the most serious charges any college student can face. In today's social and political climate, no school wants to be seen as soft on such offenses. Investigations are thorough, and sanctions can be severe. In fact, dismissal is the most common punishment.
Sexual misconduct cases are unique for another reason as well. Most cases are subject to Title IX, a federal law that bars sexual discrimination and harassment on college campuses. Title IX includes very specific guidelines about how schools should conduct investigations. The good news is those guidelines offer considerably more due process protections than other types of cases at the University of Iowa.
Among your protections, you have the right to a hearing, where you may submit evidence, call witnesses, and cross-examine any witnesses against you. You may also cross-examine the Complainant, and all questioning is conducted by your advisor.
A sexual misconduct investigation and hearing are the most complex judicial procedures at the University of Iowa, and while you do have a number of important rights, you need someone on your side with judicial experience to make sure you're taking full advantage of those rights. You need the team from the Lento Law Firm.
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 Lento Law Firm was built on helping students just like you handle all types of misconduct charges. We know how to negotiate with faculty and administrators; we know how to interview witnesses; we know how to put together water-tight appeals. To find out more about exactly what the Lento Law Firm can do for you, contact us today at 888-555-3686, or use our automated online form.
