If you're facing dismissal from the University of Texas, Dallas, you need to take it seriously. Colleges and universities don't mess about these days when it comes to investigating and adjudicating misconduct and holding students accountable for academic deficiencies. You can expect UT, Dallas to do everything it can to make sure the charges against you stick, and its administrators have little mercy when it comes to sanctions. More importantly, if you are dismissed, it likely spells the end of your academic career. Few colleges and universities are willing to take a chance on an applicant who's already been dismissed from another school.
What does “taking it seriously” mean? It means you need to be ready to defend yourself. You need to understand the charges against you, and you need to know how the judicial procedures at UT, Dallas, work.
It also means getting help—professional help. The Lento Law Firm Education Law Team knows the law when it comes to education. They also know the UT, Dallas system. Plus, they have years of experience helping students just like you get out of difficult situations. No matter what type of dismissal you're facing, you need The Lento Law Firm Team on your side. That's taking it seriously.
Reasons for Dismissal at the University of Texas, Dallas
There are dozens of reasons UT, Dallas might dismiss you, so many, in fact, that you can't possibly be expected to know them all. However, for the most part, they can be grouped into four basic categories. You can and should learn these.
- Disciplinary misconduct: This refers to general misconduct you might commit, things like underage drinking, trespassing, and theft. You'll find a full list of rules in the Student Code of Conduct. Any violation can result in dismissal. Some, like hazing and drug possession, are almost always punished with dismissal.
- Academic Misconduct: The Code of Conduct makes special mention of academic misconduct. This refers to classroom misconduct, things like plagiarism, cheating, and fabrication. Most first-time violations are punished with classroom sanctions—often a lowered grade on the assignment or a lowered grade in the course. Serious and repeat offenses, though, can garner dismissal.
- Sexual misconduct: Another type of offense that's singled out for special consideration in the Code of Conduct is sexual misconduct. Such offenses are among the most serious a university student can commit, in part because they are subject to federal rules and regulations (Title IX). Punishment in these cases is almost always a dismissal.
- Academic Failure: Finally, you can also be dismissed from UT, Dallas, for failing to perform to academic expectations. The school's Academic Standing Policy requires you to maintain a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0. Anything lower can get you placed on probation, and if your grades don't improve while you're on probation, you can be dismissed.
Defending Yourself from Misconduct Charges
Knowing the charges against you is a good start to defending yourself, but you also need to know how the judicial process works at UT, Dallas. In broad terms, you can expect an investigation followed by a hearing. What do those look like?
- First, someone lodges a complaint against you, either to the Dean of Students or—in the case of sexual misconduct—the Title IX Coordinator. These officials must then decide whether or not the allegation is credible.
- If the charges are deemed credible, the school then initiates an investigation into the complaint. As part of this investigation, you are normally invited to provide your side of the story. In addition, investigators typically collect any physical evidence and interview potential witnesses.
- Throughout the process, you have the right to an advisor, and this advisor can be an attorney. Your advisor cannot speak on your behalf, but they can accompany you to all meetings and official proceedings and offer important advice on what to say and how to say it.
- Ultimately, investigators submit a written report of their findings. You should have a chance to review this document, and in some cases, you may be able to object to anything you feel is inaccurate.
- Once they've received the Investigative Report, the Dean or Title IX Coordinator 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 make arguments, call witnesses, and submit evidence. Of course, the school or Complainant (your accuser) has the right to do the same.
- Your “Responsibility” (guilt or innocence) is decided based on a legal standard known as “preponderance of the evidence.” Far less strict than “beyond a reasonable doubt,” this standard requires decision-makers to find you Responsible if they are more than fifty percent convinced you committed an offense.
- Finally, the University of Texas, Dallas due process rules also allow you to appeal the hearing outcome, either the finding itself, the sanction, or both.
There are some small differences in how different types of cases are handled at UT, Dallas. For example, the initial investigation in academic misconduct cases is usually conducted by the course instructor. Another important difference: in sexual misconduct cases, the two sides are allowed to question each other.
No matter what kind of misconduct charges you're facing, though, the Lento Law Firm Education Law Team can help you navigate the investigation and adjudication processes. They have experience with all types of cases and are well-versed in the University of Texas, Dallas judicial system.
Academic Dismissal Cases
You might have noticed there's been no mention so far of academic dismissal cases. That's because these are handled very differently than misconduct cases. Among the other differences, UT, Dallas does not offer any formal means of challenging such dismissals. Instead, the school views grade point average as an objective fact, one not open to debate. Either your GPA is high enough, or it isn't.
That doesn't mean there aren't useful ways of handling the threat of academic dismissal. In fact, the Lento Law Firm Education Law Team knows a number of strategies for protecting your academic career. For example,
- If your low GPA is the result of extenuating circumstances, you can appeal to the dean of your school or college. A serious illness or a family emergency can be grounds for more time to improve.
- If you discover you have a learning disability you didn't know about, you can request to drop low grades and retake those courses.
- Some faculty are open to the possibility of grade negotiation. Significant improvement during a course might offer an argument for a higher grade.
As with misconduct dismissals, the Lento Law Firm Education Law Team can help you come up with a plan to fight academic dismissals, and they'll stand beside you throughout the entire process.
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 Education Law Team was built to help 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 the Lento Law Firm Education Law Team can do for you, contact the Lento Law Firm today at 888-555-3686, or use our automated online form.
