Students are often surprised to learn that college success is as much about learning how to navigate a university system as it is about acing exams and writing well-organized research papers. The thing is, it's not always easy to know who to talk to or what to say when you run into problems at Eastern Michigan University.
We can help. Not with the essay-writing bit or the exam taking, but with the system navigating. We've been defending students for a number of years, and in all that time, we've learned a thing or two about how universities operate. Any time you find yourself struggling with academic progress issues, we're glad to share the benefit of our experience.
In order to get help, though, you have to call. Call 888-535-3686 today, or take a little time now and tell us about your situation.
Academic Progression at Eastern Michigan University
It's one of those questions that come up during late-night sessions with your roommate or your friends: "What does college success even mean?" Are you here for the sake of learning, for instance, or are you here simply to get a job? How important is socialization to the equation?
Turns out, there's an actual answer to this question. EMU's academic standing policy explains in clear terms just what you need to do to stay on track and make it to graduation. It also outlines what happens to you if you struggle.
- Good Standing: Staying out of trouble academically is pretty simple, or at least it's pretty simply defined. You need a minimum 2.0 cumulative grade point average, and you need to pass at least 67 percent of all the courses you attempt.
- Academic Probation: Any time your GPA falls below the magic 2.0 number, EMU places you on academic probation. While on probation, you're required to meet with an academic advisor, and you may be assigned additional requirements. Your primary goal, though, is to return to good standing.
- Academic Dismissal: Should you continue to struggle while on probation, you then face the prospect of dismissal. Dismissal means complete separation from the university. EMU is vague as to whether you can apply for readmission at some point following a dismissal. However, even a short disruption in your studies can make it hard to complete your degree. Coming back to school is always difficult, and you may need to begin paying student loans back during a dismissal period.
Dealing With Academic Standing Decisions
EMU maintains an Academic Review Committee tasked with making decisions about academic eligibility. You can appeal directly to this committee if you should be dismissed from the university for academic reasons. Appeals are largely based on extenuating circumstances. If you can point to a serious illness, for instance, or a family emergency, you may be able to convince the committee to allow you an additional semester on probation.
However, you are always better off avoiding reaching the point of dismissal in the first place if you possibly can. Luckily, the attorneys at the Lento Law Firm know some useful strategies for keeping your GPA up and avoiding sanctions.
- Low grades can be a sign of a more significant problem: a learning disability. If you suspect you might have ADD, ADHD, or dyslexia, you should make an appointment with Disability Services. This office can get you tested and, if it turns out you do have a disability, can work with you to implement appropriate course accommodations where you need them. Additionally, you can petition EMU to drop low grades from your GPA. Then, you can retake those courses without penalty.
- You might have a low grade or two on your transcript because of cheating or plagiarism allegations. Your instructors have enormous authority to accuse you and to come up with what they feel are "fair" penalties. They can lower your grade on specific assignments, or they can lower your grade in the class. They can even fail you outright. However, you have the right to appeal their decisions to the Academic Integrity Committee (AIC)
- Any time you feel an instructor is mistreating you, you should bring that to the attention of your instructor's department head. At a minimum, you may be entitled to file a formal grade appeal.
- Faculty are sometimes open to the possibility of makeup and extra credit assignments. This can be especially useful if your grade is already borderline. An extra lab assignment or paper could be all you need to raise your grade in a class and, thus, your overall GPA.
- You can try negotiating with faculty on other grounds as well. For example, if your final exam grade was especially high, you might try arguing that your professor should use it as your course grade. After all, a final exam is supposed to demonstrate how much you learned in the course.
You cannot count on your advisor to tell you about these and other options for improving your grade. In fact, they may not even know about some of these. Many of these approaches have to do with knowing how to use the system to your best advantage, and that's not usually an advisor's first concern.
Whatever your situation, the Lento Law Firm attorney will sit down with you and work out a plan. Then, they'll help you to implement that plan, whether that involves filing a formal appeal or coaching you on how to negotiate with professors.
What Can the Lento Law Firm Do for You?
Your Easter Michigan diploma is far more than just a piece of paper. It's your avenue to a successful career. If it's under threat, you can't afford to try and handle the problem by yourself. University 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 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.
