You're smart, capable, and dedicated. Otherwise, you wouldn't be in college in the first place. And those qualities can carry you a long way toward your degree. They're not always enough to get you to the finish line, though. College isn't just about going to class. It's also about learning how to get along with that one professor who's always cranky, about figuring out what to do when your computer says you uploaded your paper, but your instructor's computer says you didn't, about mastering the fine art of negotiating extra points.
Getting to class on time and learning how to use the library's online interface is up to you. For all the rest, though, the Lento Law Firm's Education Law Team are here to help. They know what you're up against, that navigating educational bureaucracy can be the most difficult part of earning a degree. They know the Georgia State system, though, and they can guide you through that system no matter what problems may come up.
Academic Progression at Georgia State University
You came to Georgia State to be a student, and you can expect the school to hold you to that. This isn't high school, and there are serious consequences for low grades. Everything you need to know to stay on track and avoid these consequences is contained in the university's Scholastic Discipline Policy.
That policy defines “good” standing as maintaining a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.0. Anything below that number, and you're subject to a progressive set of disciplinary “levels.”
- Warning: This is just what it sounds like, an early alert that you're struggling to meet academic expectations. There are no specific requirements while on Warning status other than to return to Good standing, and you can remain on Warning status as long as it takes to do that if you earn a minimum 2.3 term GPA each semester.
- Supervision: If your cumulative GPA remains below 2.0 after a Warning semester, and your term GPA for that semester isn't above 2.3, you move to the next level of disciplinary sanction: Supervision. The requirements here are essentially the same as those for Warning status. Your goal is to return to Good standing. In the meantime, you can remain on Supervision status as long as you earn a 2.3-term GPA.
- Probation: The next sanction is probation. You're placed on probation when you can't reach that 2.3 term GPA mark while on Supervision. Once again, you can remain on probation until you reach Good standing, but only if your term GPA is above 2.3.
- Academic Dismissal: Should you continue to struggle while on probation, you'll then be Dismissed from the university for a minimum of one academic year. Dismissals are noted on your permanent transcript. In addition, you must apply to return to the university, and your return is not guaranteed.
If you return from Dismissal, you are again placed on Academic Probation. Any further Dismissal means permanent Exclusion from registering for courses at GSU.
Dealing With Academic Sanctions
If you feel you've been mistreated in the classroom, you always have the right at Georgia State to file a grievance petition. This process involves submitting a “clear and concise” description of your complaint and an explanation of what remedies you're seeking. You begin by submitting this petition to your instructor. If your request is denied, you then move up the chain of command to the instructor's supervisor and, failing that, the Vice President for Academic Affairs.
What do you do if there's some other reason for your low grades? That depends on your specific situation, but you can count on the Lento Law Firm's Student Defense Team to know all the options available to you. For example,
- If you consistently struggle to make good grades, you could have a learning disability you don't know about. Disability Services offers testing and can get you any necessary classroom accommodations. In some situations, you may even be eligible to drop low course grades from your GPA and retake those courses with no penalty.
- Some instructors are open to the possibility of extra credit or makeup assignments. A little extra lab work or a re-write of a paper could be enough to earn you a higher grade.
- Faculty are also sometimes willing to negotiate a low grade. If, for example, your final exam score was much higher than your other scores in the class, you might ask your instructor to use this grade as your course grade.
- A low grade can be the result of a cheating or plagiarism accusation. You have the right to challenge this accusation, though, or the severity of the sanction your instructor has imposed.
The Student Defense Team can help you decide on a plan that's right for you, and they'll work with you to implement that plan, whether that means collecting evidence, coming up with arguments, or practicing negotiation tactics.
In addition, should you find yourself Dismissed from the university, they have experience filing readmission appeals. They know exactly what admission boards look for in these appeals and how to make you look your best on paper.
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. The Education Law Team was assembled specifically to handle student conduct and academic progress issues.
They 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.
