If you're facing dismissal from the University of Maryland, University College, you need to recognize that the situation is serious. How serious? Your university is no longer on your side. Its job has become to prove that you made a mistake so big that you must be removed from campus. You're not just looking at the end of your career at UMUC. This could potentially be the end of your academic career. Few other schools will be willing to take a chance on you once you have a dismissal on your record.
A serious situation calls for a serious response. A serious response means contacting Attorney-advisor Joseph D. Lento and his Education Law Team. Joseph D. Lento and his team know the law. They know how your university operates. Most important of all, they're committed to making sure you're treated fairly and that you get the best possible resolution to your case. Your entire future is at stake; you need someone looking out for your interests. No one does that better than Joseph D. Lento and his team.
Reasons for Dismissal at UMUC
Let's start at the beginning. Just what can UMUC dismiss you for? It turns out there are basically four categories of reasons for dismissal.
- Academic Misconduct: First, you can be dismissed for violating the school's academic integrity policy. Cheating, plagiarism—basically anything that could potentially give you an unfair advantage in earning your degree is a violation. Minor violations are usually punished with in-class sanctions like grade reduction. Serious and repeat offenses, though, are subject to dismissal.
- Disciplinary Misconduct: UMUC pays just as much attention to your activities outside the classroom as it does to those inside. The Code of Student Conduct contains rules about everything from fire safety equipment to forgery. Any offense can result in dismissal. Some, like hazing and weapons possession almost always lead to dismissal.
- Sexual Misconduct: Technically, sexual misconduct is a form of disciplinary misconduct. However, it is among the most serious allegations any student can face. Students found responsible are almost always dismissed. In addition, most cases are governed by Title IX, a federal law, and you can expect your school to pursue all allegations zealously.
- Academic Deficiencies: Finally, you can also be dismissed from UMUC simply for failing to keep your GPA up. The school has a strict academic standing policy that requires all students maintain a minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA. Fall below that number and you'll find yourself on Academic Probation. If you can't raise your GPA while on Probation, you can be dismissed.
Defending Yourself from Misconduct Charges
The good news is if you've been accused of misconduct, you have the right to defend yourself. How you do that varies depending on the specific nature of the charge.
All cases begin with a formal complaint lodged with the appropriate administrative office. If the school decides to move forward with the case, it conducts a thorough investigation into the matter. Typically this involves meeting with both sides separately, gathering any physical evidence, and conducting interviews with witnesses.
- Academic Misconduct Cases: If you're facing academic misconduct charges, your case is handled by a Case Manager. Once the investigation is complete, this individual provides you with a complete summary of their findings. You then have the opportunity to respond in writing before they issue a ruling in the case and assign a sanction. All decisions are based on a legal standard known as “preponderance of the evidence.” In simple terms, you are Responsible (guilty) if the Case Manager is more than fifty percent convinced you committed a violation.
- Disciplinary Misconduct Cases: In disciplinary misconduct cases, you additionally have the right to defend yourself at a formal hearing before a panel of decision-makers. You may present evidence and call witnesses. You may also submit questions for any witnesses testifying against you. Finally, in these cases you have the right to an advisor, and this advisor may be an attorney.
- Sexual misconduct cases: In sexual misconduct cases you also have a right to a hearing. In addition, to the standard procedures of a disciplinary hearing, you may also cross-examine the Complainant. Here again, you also have the right to choose an attorney to serve as an advisor.
In all cases, you have a limited right to appeal the hearing outcome. However, grounds are typically limited to issues like procedural error or the discovery of new evidence. That is, you do not normally have the right to appeal just because you disagree with the outcome.
No matter what type of case you're facing, Joseph D. Lento and his team are well-versed in all rules and procedures.
Academic Dismissals
Dismissals for academic cause are treated somewhat differently than those for misconduct. One of the most important differences is that there is no formal process for challenging such a decision. UMUC regards your GPA as an objective fact and doesn't treat it as a matter of debate.
Luckily, Joseph D. Lento and his Education Law Team know ways of handling these sorts of dismissals as well.
- Extenuating circumstances can be grounds for appealing to the college dean. If you're dealing with a long-term illness or you've been faced with a family crisis, you may be entitled to more time to improve.
- Faculty are sometimes willing to negotiate over grades if you have a compelling argument. For instance, a high final exam score might demonstrate that you deserve to pass a course, even if your other grades were low.
- If you suffer from a learning disability, you may deserve classroom accommodations like extra time to complete assignments. If you are denied those accommodations, you may have a right to a grade revision.
Just as with misconduct dismissals, you can count on Joseph D. Lento and his team to know all the options that are open to you. They can help you work out a plan for salvaging your academic career, and even work with you to put that plan into action.
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 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 team can do for you, contact the Lento Law Firm today at 888-555-3686 or use our automated online form.
