Everyone struggles with the transition to college. Everyone. You think, “I'm used to getting up at 7:00 anyway, so it'll be no problem signing up for 8:00 classes.” That lasts about a week. You think, “I took calculus in high school, so naturally I should take college calculus,” even though you're a poli sci major and calculus is completely useless to your degree.
The other thing about high school is that you didn't have to worry much about bureaucracy. Your teachers, your parents, and your guidance counselors all took care of letting you know what you needed to do and when you needed to do it. They made the calls. They filled out the paperwork. College? Well, you're on your own here, and if you can't learn to navigate the system, it can actually drag down your GPA. You need to know who to call when you have to miss class for a funeral, and you need to know what to say to the dean if you think your biology professor doesn't like you.
We can help. The attorneys at the Lento Law Firm can't take your exams for you or write your papers, but our Education Law Team knows the Bellevue system, and we know how to use it to your advantage. We can show you all the tips and tricks for keeping your grades up.
Want to know more? Call 888-535-3686, or take a little time now and tell us what kind of problem you're facing.
Academic Progress Standards at Bellevue College
Your first job as a student is to know your school's academic standing policy. Unfortunately, no one bothers to tell you that when you show up, and it's buried deep in the middle of the Bellevue Student Handbook, where you're not likely to come across it unless you're looking.
Here's what you need to know, though.
- Good Standing: Your goal should always be to remain in good standing. Sure, if you do especially well during a semester, you can get honors like Dean's List recognition, but good standing means you're making steady progress toward your degree. Bellevue defines good standing as a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or better.
- Academic Concern: Bellevue College places you on this status any time your cumulative and term GPAs fall below 2.0. There are no specific sanctions for academic concerns, but you cannot appeal this status.
- Academic Intervention: If your cumulative and term GPAs are below 2.0 for two quarters, you are then placed on academic intervention status. As part of this status, you must complete an online webinar before you can register for courses.
- Academic Restriction: This occurs when your GPAs remain below 2.0 for three quarters. As part of this status, you are limited to no more than 8 hours per term.
- Academic Dismissal: Finally, a fourth quarter with GPAs below 2.0 means dismissal. Dismissal lasts for a minimum of one full year, and you are required to file an Academic Standing Appeal before you can return. As part of the process, you must meet with the Associate Director of Student Success and Retention and work out an educational plan. Should you struggle after returning, you face an additional year of dismissal.
Dealing With Academic Sanctions
If you have found yourself dismissed, Bellevue does allow you to appeal immediately for reinstatement to the college for an additional term. However, you must be able to demonstrate that you've been dealing with extenuating circumstances, such as a long-term illness or a family emergency. Such appeals must be filed two weeks before the start of the next term.
The college also offers a renewal program for students who have spent a year away as a result of dismissal. This renewal program allows you to drop all your courses from select quarters and retake them for replacement credit. This can be a quick way to get back on track academically. Of course, it also extends your time at Bellevue.
As it turns out, the attorneys at the Lento Law Firm also know a number of strategies for keeping your GPA out of the danger zone. If you can put these into action early enough, you may be able to avoid the threat of dismissal altogether. For example,
- If you're being treated unfairly in the classroom, you should report this treatment to your instructor's department head. You may be eligible for some type of grade relief. At a minimum, you will have established evidence you can use to file a formal grade appeal.
- Some low grades result from academic misconduct allegations—cheating and plagiarism. You can challenge these allegations, though. In fact, even if you did commit some policy violation, you may be able to challenge the severity of the sanction.
- Learning disabilities, such as ADD and ADHD, are more common than most students realize. If you have such a disability, you're entitled to certain accommodations under the law. Your attorney can help you get tested and can make sure Bellevue sets aside low grades and gives you the opportunity to retake courses.
- Some faculty are willing to assign extra credit and make-up work, especially to students with borderline grades. It never hurts to ask instructors for these kinds of assignments.
- You might also try negotiating with instructors, particularly if you have a compelling argument for why you deserve a higher grade. Your individual assignment grades might not add up to a passing course grade, for instance, but if you've shown real improvement over the course of the semester, you might try asking your instructor for special consideration.
Every student's situation is different, but you can count on your Lento Law Firm attorney to help you develop an individualized plan that suits your particular academic needs. In addition, we'll help you implement that plan. We can coach you, for instance, on how to negotiate with faculty. We know which offices to call when you have a problem and what to say. And we know what makes for a compelling grade appeal.
What Can the Lento Law Firm Do for You?
Your Bellevue College diploma is far more than just a piece of paper. It's your avenue to a successful career. If it's under threat for any reason, you can't afford to try and handle the problem by yourself. College processes and procedures can be complex and difficult to navigate, and often, you will find the system is stacked against you. You need the very best help you can get, someone who is in your corner and ready to fight on your behalf.
The Lento Law Firm's Education Law Team has helped hundreds of students, just like you, respond to academic progress issues and make it to graduation. What can we do for you? To find out, call us today at 888-535-3686 or use our online form.
