College success is about going to class, studying hard, writing papers, and acing exams. You made it into Colorado State, so you're obviously up for all those things.
College can also be about getting along with cranky professors, though, and convincing the Dean's office to approve your absence. It's about knowing who to talk with when you have a problem and what to say. In fact, the bureaucracy of higher academia can sometimes be far more difficult to work your way through than the knottiest calculus problem, and you might be surprised at how many students struggle academically for reasons that have nothing to do with academics.
Luckily, you don't have to navigate this bureaucracy all on your own. The Lento Law Firm's Student Defense Team are here to help. They know the Colorado State University System, and they've helped hundreds of students find their path through it. Whether you need to appeal a grade or file a grievance against an instructor, they know what you're up against, and they're on your side, no matter what.
Academic Progression at Colorado State University
Let's start simple: what criteria do you have to meet at Colorado State in order to stay in “good” academic standing? According to the university's Scholastic Standards, you're supposed to maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.0. So, then, the next logical question is, what happens if you don't keep your GPA that high?
- Probation: The first consequence of a low GPA is Academic Probation. There are no specific requirements for Probation other than to work towards returning to Good standing. That is, you don't have to attend any special workshops or complete any online training on time management. Further, you have two full semesters to get your GPA back up.
- Academic Dismissal: If, however, you cannot return to Good standing within two semesters, you are then subject to Academic Dismissal, which, unless you take extraordinary measures to rectify it, is permanent.
There are two ways to return to CSU following Dismissal. You can take summer courses at the university or take courses through the school's non-degree GUEST program until you've raised your GPA back to the 2.0 mark. Alternatively, you can enroll at another accredited regional school and meet the requirements necessary to transfer to Colorado State. This process can be difficult, though. It also takes time, and even if you're successful, Dismissal means a serious disruption in your academic progress.
Dealing With Academic Dismissal
The bottom line is you're always better off avoiding Dismissal from Colorado State in the first place rather than trying to gain readmission. How do you do that?
You can appeal dismissals to the Faculty Council on Scholastic Standards if you have extenuating circumstances. Maybe you experienced a serious illness during the semester. Maybe you had to deal with a family crisis of some type. The Lento Law Firm's Student Defense Team have filed hundreds of these appeals. They know how to fill out the paperwork; they know what these committees look for in terms of evidence; they know how to craft a compelling argument. Keep in mind, though, that there is a seven-day time limit after the close of a semester in which to file an appeal. That means you want to contact the Lento Law Firm the moment a problem arises.
Dealing With Other Types of Academic Sanctions
What do you do about other types of academic sanctions, though? How, for instance, should you handle the threat of Probation? It turns out there are a number of options in these cases as well.
- Low grades can sometimes be a sign of an underlying condition, such as a learning disability. You might consider visiting Disability Services. They offer testing and can work with your instructors to get you any course accommodations you might need. You might even be able to drop low grades from your GPA and retake those courses.
- Low grades can also be the result of academic misconduct allegations. If your instructor thinks you've cheated or plagiarized a paper, they have the authority to lower your grade on the assignment or even fail you in the class. However, you have the right to challenge the accusation. Or, you can accept responsibility and challenge the severity of the sanction.
- Some faculty are open to the possibility of grade negotiation if you handle the situation carefully. At a minimum, you need a good argument, strong evidence, and solid communication skills.
- Instructors are also sometimes willing to offer extra credit or makeup assignments. If your grade is already borderline, this can be the quickest way to get your GPA up.
It has become harder and harder to find good advising at college. Many schools have abrogated their advising responsibilities, replacing them with self-serve and AI options. Even if you do have a real live person as your advisor, you can't always count on them to know the many tips and tricks you may need to keep your academic career on track.
The Lento Law Firm's Education Law Team are focused on you and your success. You're their primary concern, and having worked with so many students over the years, they know all the best strategies for handling academic progress issues.
Premier Education Attorney-Advisors
Students sometimes ask: how exactly is an attorney-advisor supposed to help me with academic issues? It's a fair question. 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.
As the information on this page suggests, though, succeeding in college is often as much about dealing with bureaucracy as it is about writing papers and taking exams. No one knows more about bureaucracy than attorneys, and no one knows more about how to handle educational bureaucracy than the Lento Law Firm's Educational Law team. That team was assembled specifically to handle student conduct and academic progress issues.
The attorneys and investigators 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 888-555-3686, or use our automated online form.
