It was a lot of work getting into Cal State Poly. Wouldn't it be nice if you could relax now? You've proven you care about your education. You should be able to take courses at your own pace without worrying about pesky things like taking exams or earning grades.
Unfortunately, that's not how it works. Coursework only gets more difficult from here. Classes are tougher; most professors are more demanding than even your most difficult high teachers were. And failing classes doesn't just mean repeating a grade. It can mean dismissal.
There is good news, though. You're not entirely on your own. The attorneys at the Lento Law Firm have your back. How can an attorney help you with academics? That should become clear as you go. For now, all you need to know is that the attorneys at the Lento Law Firm know how the Cal Tech Poly system works, and they can help you navigate that system successfully. Oh, and you should probably also know that they're only a phone call away at 888-535-3686, or if you reach out online, they will get back to you right away.
Academic Progression at Cal State Polytechnic
College success is all about maintaining your grade point average. Cal State Poly has what's known as an Academic Standing policy. That policy describes exactly what you need to do to make steady progress towards your degree and sets the consequences you face any time you're not making that progress.
- Good standing means maintaining a cumulative GPA above 2.0.
- If your GPA should fall below 2.2, you remain in Good standing, but you're classified as “At Risk.” As a result of this status, a Hold is placed on your registration. You must complete a Canvas-based module on academic success in order to remove this Hold.
- At the point your GPA falls below 2.0, you're placed on Academic Probation. Again, you're subject to a registration Hold. To remove this, you must complete the Canvas module and a module Worksheet. In addition, you must meet with a Retention and Graduation Specialist.
- You can remain on Probation until you return to Good standing, provided your term GPA remains above 2.0. If it should fall below that number, though, you are then Disqualified from attending the university. Disqualification lasts for a minimum of 1 semester. You must reapply in order to return to Cal State Poly, and readmission is not guaranteed.
Dealing With Academic Standing Decisions
Cal State Polytechnic does offer some options for returning following dismissal. The most common of these is retaking failed courses through Cal State's Open University system and getting your GPA back up. Again, though, this will not necessarily gain you readmission. You are always better off avoiding Disqualification if you can. How do you do that?
Cal State Poly doesn't offer a formal appeals process, but the attorneys at the Lento Law Firm do know a number of informal strategies for avoiding Disqualification, Probation, and even At-risk status.
- If your academic deficiencies are the result of extenuating circumstances, such as a family emergency or a serious illness, you can try appealing directly to the dean of your school or college. You may be eligible for more time to improve rather than a sanction.
- You're entitled to fair treatment in the classroom. If you feel an instructor has mistreated you in any way, you should talk with that instructor's department head or, in extreme cases, file a grievance with the university.
- A disability, including learning disabilities, may entitle you to course accommodations such as extra time to complete assignments or access to technology during exams. If you aren't provided with these accommodations, you can petition to retake courses, even if you didn't know you had a disability at the time you originally took them.
- Some low grades are caused by academic misconduct allegations. If your instructor thinks you've plagiarized a paper or cheated on an exam, they have the power to lower your grade. However, you can challenge their accusations or the severity of the sanction by appealing to the Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities (OSRR).
- You always have the right to ask instructors for makeup or extra credit assignments. Some are open to this possibility; others are not. This can often be the easiest route, though, to raising your GPA.
The first things you should try when you find your GPA slipping are going to class and studying harder. You might want to consider joining a study group or finding a tutor. If these aren't enough, though, the Lento Law Firm may be able to help. The firm's Education Law Team knows exactly who to talk to when you run into trouble and what to say. They can help you come up with an action plan, and they'll work with you to implement it.
What Can the Lento Law Firm Do For You?
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 keeping up with your reading, visiting the writing center, and getting assignments in on time.
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 the Educational Law Team at the Lento Law Firm. That team was assembled specifically to handle student conduct and academic progress issues.
The attorneys at the Lento Law Firm 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 888-535-3686 or use our automated online form.
