If your college or university has accused you of misconduct, you stand to lose all the money, time, and effort you invested in your education. That's just the beginning; there will also be serious long-term ramifications. If it's a for-profit school, the deck is really stacked against you because they will be looking out for their shareholders throughout the disciplinary process. What happens to you is not their concern.
For-profit schools like Rasmussen College-Florida are owned and operated by private businesses, and they prioritize shareholders over students. They are notorious for predatory recruiting techniques, painting a too-rosy picture of graduate job placements, and not following even their own procedures for handling disciplinary actions against students.
Undergraduate and graduate students facing disciplinary action for misconduct or “failing to progress” academically are regularly dismissed following a confusing process that doesn't give the student a fair chance.
What are the consequences facing accused students?
A college education is expensive. At Rasmussen, for example, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing costs close to $70,000, according to their own tuition calculator. Their Doctor of Nursing Practice weighs in at almost $36,000. Imagine making this type of investment only to see the possibility of obtaining your degree taken away from you. If your school has suspended or expelled you for misconduct or failing to progress, it will also cost you in terms of:
- Student loan payments you are still responsible for;
- Wasted time due to interruption in education;
- Delay in returning to that school;
- Inability to get into another school;
- Ineligibility for federal student aid or loans;
- Negative impact on your credit score; and
- Diminished future job prospects and earnings.
What constitutes an offense at Rasmussen?
Generally, universities publish their code of conduct, honor code and/or ethics policies online. Offenses can range from underage drinking to hazing, destruction of property, possession of firearms, sexual misconduct, and cheating on a test, among many others. Unfortunately, Rasmussen does not make this information public for prospective students or their parents to read. Could this lack of transparency be a harbinger of future behavior?
What is the due process you should expect?
When you're faced with misconduct charges, you should at least be able to count on the school to be forthright, fair, and respectful. Most schools publish their disciplinary action policies and procedures. Again, Rasmussen does not publish this information.
Having an experienced attorney-advisor on your side will make all the difference
Given the potentially life-altering sanctions for misconduct—including suspension, expulsion, disciplinary probation, revocation of admission and/or degree—you shouldn't face the school alone. Keep in mind that your school has gone through this process before, and you haven't.
Attorney-advisor Joseph D. Lento and the Lento Law Firm have unparalleled experience dealing with non-profit schools' disciplinary processes and actions and helping students gain favorable outcomes.
We're just a phone call away
The school will be looking out for its own bottom line: profits. With experienced attorney-advisor Joseph D. Lento and the Lento Law Firm by your side, you can be sure your own interests will be fairly represented and protected.
Call the Lento Law Firm at 888-535-3686 to discuss how we can help you.
