A college degree can open all kinds of doors. It's the key to getting a good job, establishing a successful career, and making steady progress toward all of your life goals. Nothing worthwhile comes easy, though. If you want a college degree, you have to earn it through hard work and discipline.
The thing is, we all struggle from time to time. Maybe calculus just isn't your thing. Or maybe you get your heart broken one semester and just can't seem to concentrate on any of your courses. It happens.
What do you do when it does?
You contact attorney-advisor Joseph D. Lento and his Education Law Team. You might be asking yourself, how can a lawyer help me get through college? If you keep reading, you'll soon find the answer. For now, though, you need to know that Joseph D. Lento and his Team are on your side. They believe you should have a fair chance to complete your degree, even if you make a mistake or two along the way.
Academic Progression at Indiana University
All colleges and universities maintain an “academic standing” policy designed to let you know how you're progressing and to encourage you to stay focused and on track. The IU policy is relatively straightforward. In fact, there's just one requirement. To remain in “good” standing, you must keep a minimum 2.0 cumulative grade point average. Simple—but obviously easier said than done. What happens if you GPA should dip below that magic number?
- Academic Probation: Assuming your GPA hasn't dipped too far, you're placed on academic probation. Assuming it doesn't dip further, you can remain on academic probation indefinitely until you return to good standing.
- Critical Probation: If your GPA does fall too low, you are placed on critical academic probation. What is too low? It depends on how many hours you've earned so far. If you've earned less than 18 hours, you're placed on critical probation if your GPA falls below 1.33. Between 19 and 36 hours, the number is 1.63. Between 37 and 45 hours, the number is 1.83. And if you have more than 46 hours, anything below 2.0 is “critical.”
- Academic Dismissal: You can remain on Critical Probation until you improve, as long as your term GPA is at least 2.5. If you can't reach that mark, however, you are then dismissed from the university. In fact, even if you manage to return to good standing, a second critical probation at any point in your career at IU means dismissal. A first dismissal lasts for at least one semester. You can then petition IU to allow you to return, or you can return to good standing by taking courses at another IU campus.
- Second Dismissal: Should you receive Critical Probation a third time, you are dismissed for a full academic year.
- Termination: A third Critical Probation means permanent termination from the university.
Dealing With Academic Standing Decisions
Other than petitioning to return after a dismissal, Indiana University offers no formal means of challenging a standing decision. Your GPA isn't normally a matter of debate.
However, Joseph D. Lento and his Education Law Team have years of experience working with students just like you to keep their progress on track. As a result, they know a number of informal strategies for handling the threat of an academic sanction. For instance,
- Classroom mistreatment of any kind can be grounds for a grade revision. If you feel you've been treated unfairly, you should bring this to the attention of your instructor's department head.
- If your academic deficiencies were caused by extenuating circumstances—life events out of your control—you can try appealing directly to the dean of your specific school or college.
- A disability may entitle you to classroom modifications. If you weren't given these, you may deserve a higher grade in the course. In addition, if you are diagnosed with a disability after taking a course, you may be allowed to retake that course and replace the original grade.
- Some low grades are the result of an academic sanction. If your instructor decides you've cheated or committed plagiarism, they have the authority to lower your course grade. However, you have the right to challenge this decision to your Academic Dean and, if that doesn't work, to a Unit Hearing Board.
- Some faculty are open to the possibility of grade negotiation, especially if you have a strong argument. For instance, maybe you feel your progress over the semester demonstrates enough improvement to merit a higher course grade.
- Faculty are also sometimes willing to offer makeup or extra credit assignments, especially to students whose grades are borderline.
Indiana University likely won't tell you about these options. You're just one of thousands of students, and it's easy to get lost in the shuffle. Joseph D. Lento and his Education Law Team, though, are focused on you and your success. They not only know all the options, but they can also help you pick one that is just right for your particular situation. And they'll help you put your plan into action, whether that means working with you to gather evidence of your academic abilities or coaching you in the art of negotiation.
Of course, should the worst happen and you find yourself dismissed, they are also experienced in filing readmission petitions. They know exactly what kinds of arguments impress petition committees and what kind of evidence those committees look for.
Premier Education Attorney-Advisor, Joseph D. Lento
Let's go back to that question you asked at the beginning. How can an attorney help you make it through college? 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 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 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.
