College can be one of the most rewarding experiences of your life. It's an opportunity to learn new things, make new friends, and discover important truths about yourself. No one said it's easy, though. Classes are challenging, and professors are demanding. Beyond academics, the University of Virginia has high expectations for your professional and personal behavior. The fact is, not everyone makes it to the end. UVA dismisses dozens of students every semester.
If you're facing dismissal, you need to know: defending yourself won't be easy. The school is not on your side in these cases, and it's no easy proposition to take on the weight of a university. You need someone in your corner, someone to protect your interests and make sure you have a fair shot at saving your academic career.
Below, you'll find important information on all the reasons why UVA might dismiss you. In addition, you'll learn some basic facts about how you can challenge dismissal decisions. Most importantly, though, you'll learn how to get help defending yourself. National Student Defense Attorney-Advisor Joseph D. Lento knows what you're going through. He's helped hundreds of students get the justice they deserve, and he can help you to do the same.
Reasons for Dismissal at the University of Virginia
There are actually many reasons why the University of Virginia might decide to dismiss you, too many, in fact, to list here. For the sake of convenience, though, they can be gathered into three categories.
- Academic Performance: No one expects you to be a perfect student, but you are held to certain standards in the classroom. UVA's policy on academic standing notes that you must complete at least 12 credit hours each semester and that you must earn a minimum 1.8 grade point average for those hours. Failure to meet these standards means academic probation. Failure to meet standards while on probation means suspension or dismissal.
- Disciplinary Misconduct: Your behavior outside the classroom is under as much scrutiny as your behavior inside the classroom. The University Judiciary Committee (UJC) maintains a list of Standards of Conduct that includes prohibitions against things like unauthorized entry, disorderly conduct, and physical assault. Any violation can potentially result in dismissal.
- Sexual Misconduct: Though it is a form of disciplinary misconduct, sexual misconduct is treated as a separate offense. For one thing, it is among the most serious offenses a college student can commit, and the punishment is almost always a dismissal. For another, such acts aren't just violations of school policy but under Title IX of federal law. That means cases are subject to a slightly different set of investigation and adjudication guidelines.
Academic misconduct, such as cheating and plagiarism, can also get you into significant trouble at UVA. However, in 2022, UVA students voted to eliminate dismissal as a punishment for honor code violations. Instead, the worst sanction you can face in academic misconduct cases is a two-semester suspension.
Misconduct Procedures
If you are facing dismissal from the University of Virginia for any form of misconduct, you have the right to defend yourself. In general, the process includes a full investigation, a hearing, and an opportunity to appeal the hearing outcome.
- Cases begin with a complaint made either to the UJC or the school's designated Title IX Coordinator.
- The complaint is normally followed by a thorough investigation into the matter. As part of this investigation, you are invited to an interview and asked to provide a statement.
- The investigative findings eventually become the foundation for a formal hearing.
- At the hearing, you have the right to present your side of the case. This means you can present evidence, call witnesses, and cross-examine witnesses against you. The Complainant (your accuser) has the opportunity to do the same.
- Cases are ultimately decided using a legal standard known as “preponderance of evidence.” According to this standard, decision-makers must find you “Responsible” (guilty) if they believe it is more than 50 percent likely you committed an offense.
- Finally, you have a limited right to appeal the hearing outcome. Grounds for appeal include new evidence, procedural error, or an unduly harsh sanction.
While this general outline applies to all cases, there are some important differences between disciplinary and sexual misconduct cases.
- Disciplinary cases are handled by the UJC. Sexual cases are handled by the Title IX Coordinator.
- Investigations in sexual cases generally take more time than those in other kinds of cases. In fact, a Title IX investigation can take up to 75 days.
- In disciplinary cases, you may invite an attorney to the hearing, but you are represented by a “Counselor” appointed by the UJC. Your attorney may observe proceedings but not participate in them. In Title IX cases, your advisor can be an attorney, and though they cannot speak for you, they can advise you during proceedings, and they are responsible for cross-examining witnesses.
Academic Dismissal Cases
Dismissals for academic deficiencies work significantly different than those for misconduct. Generally speaking, the university assumes that such dismissals are the result of objective facts—your GPA and the number of courses you complete each semester—facts that aren't open to discussion.
However, you can appeal these dismissals to the Committee on Faculty Rules if you feel you have extenuating circumstances that led to your deficiencies. In addition, there are several less formal ways to challenge the dismissal. You might, for instance, try negotiating directly with an instructor for a higher grade.
Finally, if you should be dismissed, UVA also offers a readmission process. However, you must submit paperwork demonstrating that you have overcome the causes of your deficiencies, and you may only file a petition after you have been away from the university for a full academic year.
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; you're facing faculty and administrators; it's no exaggeration to say your entire future is on the line.
Joseph D. Lento built his practice helping students just like you handle all types of misconduct charges. He and his Education Law Team have 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 Joseph D. Lento can do for you, contact the Lento Law Firm today at 888-555-3686 or use our automated online form.
