You're bright, hard-working, and capable, or you wouldn't be in college in the first place. Sometimes, those qualities aren't enough to get you through college, though. The thing is, college isn't like high school. Sure, you go to classes like you did in high school, you take tests, and you write papers. In high school, though, you probably had someone to make sure you studied, someone to get you out of bed in the morning, and someone to give you money when you needed it. You have to do more of those things yourself now, and that can sometimes lead to academic struggles.
Can you handle these extra challenges? Of course, you can. It's always nice to know there's help available if you need it, though. Attorney-advisor Joseph D. Lento and his Education Law Team want to make sure you have the very best chance to earn your degree and go on to a successful career. They know the Broward College system; they know who to talk to when you run into trouble and what to say, and they're ready to put what they know to work for you any time you need them.
Academic Progression at Broward College
Like all colleges and universities, BC maintains an academic standing policy. That policy is designed to keep you on track to earn your degree, and it includes gentle reminders to work harder any time your progress should falter.
“Good” standing at BC means you're maintaining a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0 and earning a 2.0 each semester. Should you fail to meet those marks, you then face a series of progressive sanctions.
- Warning: When either of your GPAs falls below 2.0, you are initially placed on Warning status. There are no special requirements for Warning status. However, you are encouraged to meet with an advisor before you register for the next semester's classes.
- Probation: If you cannot raise your GPA while on Warning status, you are then placed on Academic Probation status. In this case, you aren't just encouraged but required to meet with an advisor before registering for courses.
- Suspension: Finally, if your GPA remains low after a semester on probation, you are then suspended for a minimum of one year.
Broward College does not permanently dismiss students for academic deficiencies. You are always eligible to return after a year away. However, when you return from a suspension, you are placed on probation once again, and you are once again subject to an additional suspension if you continue to struggle. Most students find it difficult to continue their education after one suspension, let alone multiple suspensions. The bottom line is you want to avoid any interruption in your studies if you can.
Dealing With Academic Sanctions
Broward College doesn't offer any formal means of challenging an academic sanction. The school's argument is that such sanctions are based on indisputable facts—your term and cumulative GPA—and the worst sanction you face is suspension. However, that argument overlooks the fact that low grades can be the result of many factors, and it ignores just how serious a suspension can be.
Luckily, Joseph D. Lento and his team know a number of useful informal strategies for avoiding such sanctions.
- Some of your instructors may be open to the possibility of grade negotiation. For example, you might argue that your high final exam score shows you deserve a higher course grade, even if your other grades were lower.
- Faculty are also sometimes willing to assign makeup or extra credit work. You may have to take an Incomplete while you finish this work, but an I doesn't affect your grade point the way a D or F does.
- Many disabilities require course accommodations. If your instructor doesn't give you an accommodation to which you're entitled, you can appeal your grade to Disability Services. Likewise, if you discover you have a disability, you didn't know about; you may be entitled to drop some course grades and retake those classes.
- You have a right to expect fair treatment in the classroom. If any instructor should mistreat you, you should bring this to the attention of that instructor's department head. Again, you may be entitled to appeal your grade.
- Some low grades are the result of academic misconduct allegations. If your instructor has accused you of cheating or plagiarism and lowered your grade, as a result, you can challenge those decisions through a formal grade appeal.
Is one of these approaches, or one not listed here, right for your situation? Joseph D. Lento and his team can help you decide. In addition, they can help you refine your plan and put it into action. They can work with you, for example, to gather evidence of your abilities, coach you in the art of negotiation, or help you fill out the paperwork for a grade appeal. The attorneys at the Lento Law Firm are highly experienced in college procedures and skilled at navigating the Broward system no matter what problem you might be facing.
Premier Education Attorney-Advisor, Joseph D. Lento
Students ask all the time: How is an attorney supposed to help me make it through college? It's a fair question. After all, it's not like you're on trial for shoplifting. You need help with your grades. That's normally a matter of studying harder or finding a tutor.
The thing is, though, succeeding in college is often as much about navigating bureaucracy as it is about writing papers and taking exams. No one knows more about dealing with bureaucracy than attorneys, and no one knows more about dealing with educational bureaucracy than attorney-advisor Joseph D. Lento and his Educational Law team. That team was assembled specifically to handle student conduct and academic progress issues.
Joseph D. Lento and his team are on your side. They understand that no one is perfect, and they're committed to the idea that a few mistakes shouldn't keep you from earning your degree and going on to a successful career. They'll fight to make sure you're treated fairly and that you get all the rights you deserve.
You've worked hard to get to this point. Don't let that hard work go to waste. To find out more about how you can fight dismissal, contact the Lento Law Firm today at 888-555-3686, or use our automated online form.
