You came to Kansas State University to learn. Don't be surprised when they hold you to it.
Sure, college is about more than just going to class. There are people to meet, organizations to join, and parties to attend. The bottom line, though, is that if you can't keep your GPA up, you're going to have problems: probation, suspension, and even expulsion in extreme cases.
So, what do you do exactly if you find your grades slipping a bit? The first thing you do is remain calm. There's a solution to most problems at college if you just know who to talk to and what to say.
The second thing you do is call the Lento Law Firm. What can an attorney do to help you with academics? You might be surprised. The thing is, making it through college is often as much about learning to navigate the system as it is about writing papers and acing exams. Who knows more about bureaucracy than lawyers?
And as it turns out, no one knows more about educational bureaucracy than the Lento Law Firm's Education Law Team. So, the moment you find yourself in trouble, don't wait. Call 888-535-3686 to find out what we can do for you. Or, take a few minutes now and fill out our digital questionnaire.
Academic Progression at Kansas State University
Let's bottom line this whole thing right now: what does Kansas State expect from you academically, and what can happen if you don't meet those expectations?
It's all about the academic standing policy. Good standing, which—spoiler alert—is where you want to be, means keeping your grade point averages—semester and cumulative—above 2.0. That's a "C" average. No big deal, right? Except maybe you haven't accounted for the semester when you're homesick and can't seem to get to class, or the professor who just doesn't seem to like you much, or just how hard astronomy is. So the next question is, what happens when you fall below that 2.0 number?
- Academic Warning: If either your term or cumulative GPA should fall below 2.0, you're placed on Academic Warning status. The good news is that there's nothing special to do while on Warning status other than to work on improving. You don't have to take an extra class, you don't have to enroll in a special webinar, and you don't even have to meet with your advisor. Here's better news: you can remain on Warning status as long as you need to return to Good standing, provided you keep your cumulative GPA above a cutoff point that's based on your hours (1.5 for under 30 hours, 1.75 for under 45 hours, etc.) or you earn a minimum 2.2 term GPA. OK, here's the bad news. If you can't do one of those two things while on Warning status, you face a more serious penalty.
- Academic Dismissal: If your grades continue to fall while you're on Warning status, Kansas State then dismisses you entirely from the university. You can gain readmittance. However, you must spend at least two semesters away from KSU. In addition, you must apply to the Academic Standards Committee, and your return is not guaranteed. Should you return, you are once again placed on Warning status, and further academic deficiencies likely mean permanent dismissal.
Dealing With Academic Standing Decisions
Unfortunately, Kansas State does not offer any formal means of appealing an academic sanction. Such sanctions are based almost exclusively on your GPA, and that isn't normally open to debate. The university reviews progress at the end of both the fall and spring semesters, and sanction letters are issued automatically.
That doesn't mean you must simply accept a warning or dismissal. The attorneys at the Lento Law Firm have helped hundreds of students deal with sanctions, and they've learned a thing or two about ways around them. For instance,
- If your low GPA is the result of extenuating circumstances, such as a family emergency or a serious bout of depression, you can appeal directly to the dean of your school or college for more time to improve.
- Any time you feel an instructor has treated you unfairly, you should report this to the instructor's department head. This can be grounds for a grade revision or, at minimum, serve as evidence for a grade appeal.
- Consistently low grades can sometimes be a sign of a learning disability. Kansas State's Disability Services can help you find out. If you do have a disability, you may be entitled to accommodations in some courses. You can also petition to retake those courses with no penalty.
- Faculty have enormous authority to determine whether or not you've committed academic misconduct—cheating or plagiarism—and to assign punishments for this misconduct. They can lower your grade on an assignment or lower your grade in the course, up to and including failing you outright. However, you have the right to challenge an instructor's decisions to the KSU Honor Council. Even if you are willing to admit that you committed an offense, you can protest the severity of the sanction.
- Faculty are sometimes willing to negotiate for grades, though this can take some skill. If, for example, your final exam grade was especially high, you might try asking an instructor to use it as your course grade.
- Instructors are also sometimes willing to assign extra credit or makeup work. In fact, re-writing a paper or finishing an extra lab assignment can often be the quickest way to get your GPA up.
No two situations are alike, and no academic solution will work in every case. You can count on the attorneys at the Lento Law Firm, though, to sit down with you and go over your particular case. They'll outline a plan specific to you, and they'll work with you to put that plan into action.
Of course, if the worst should happen and you should wind up dismissed, the Lento Law Firm is also highly experienced at drafting readmission petitions. We know what committees look for in these petitions, and we're skilled at making our clients look good on paper.
What Can the Lento Law Firm Do for You?
Your Kansas State 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 automated online form.
