You're a bright and hardworking student. You wouldn't have made it into Oklahoma State otherwise. You're going to need lots more of the same, though, if you're going to graduate from OSU. College isn't like high school: courses are tougher and professors more demanding than even the most finicky high school teachers. Plus, you're on your own for the first time. There's lots of life to explore and lots of adulting to get used to. That can distract you from your studies.
It's no surprise, then, that lots of students struggle academically when they get to college, even valedictorians and salutatorians. And unlike high school, if your grades should fall enough, you can actually find yourself dismissed from OSU.
What do you do if your GPA has slipped a little?
Obviously, you redouble your efforts. You make sure you're up and in class every morning. You study harder. Maybe you limit your partying to every other week. If none of this is enough, though, there could be other explanations for your low grades. Maybe you have an undiagnosed learning disability, for example. Maybe one or two of your professors just don't like the cut of your jib. Maybe you've been sick, and that's put a damper on your enthusiasm for econ.
The Lento Law Firm will help you. We're lawyers, but we're focused on helping students get fair treatment from their universities. We know the law, but we also know how Oklahoma State operates, including who to talk to when you have a problem. If you're facing an academic sanction or worried that you might soon be facing one, call the Lento Law Firm's Education Law Team today at 888-535-3686 today. Or use our automated online form to find out more about how we can help.
Academic Progression at Oklahoma State University
You came to OSU to be a student, and the university will hold you to that. If you can't meet academic standards, you face penalties, and ultimately, you can find yourself looking for another school. What are those standards? Like all colleges and universities, Oklahoma State maintains an academic standing policy that explains exactly what you need to do to make steady progress toward your degree. It also sets consequences any time you aren't making that progress.
- Good Standing: This is where you want to be from one semester to the next. Remain in good standing, and you'll have no issues. How do you do that? If you're a freshman, you need to keep your GPA above 1.7. If you're anyone else, you need to keep it above 2.0.
- Academic Probation: Should your GPA fall below 2.0, you are placed on academic probation. There are no specific requirements to fulfill while on academic probation other than to return to good standing. Further, you can take as long as you need to do that, so long as you earn at least a 2.0-term GPA.
- Academic Suspension: Should your term GPA fall below 2.0 while you're on probation, you are then subject to academic suspension. This means separation from the university for a semester. You may then apply for readmission. Decisions are based on the merits of the particular case.
- Academic Dismissal: Under normal circumstances, you may return to OSU only once after a suspension. Should you be suspended a second time, the only way to gain readmission is to attend another university and attain a 2.0 GPA, then apply for a transfer back to OSU.
Dealing With Academic Standing Decisions
If you're facing suspension from Oklahoma State, the university does offer an appeals process that can allow you to regain immediate eligibility. In most instances, the faculty appeals committee only approves applications for those with extenuating circumstances, such as a long-term illness or a family emergency. The attorneys at the Lento Law Firm are well-versed in this process and can help you collect evidence and file the paperwork.
Not everyone can point to extenuating circumstances, though. What do you do if you can't? For that matter, what do you do to stave off the threat of lesser academic sanctions, like probation? It turns out that the Lento Law Firm's Education Law Team can help in these instances as well. We know a number of strategies for protecting your academic standing. For example,
- If you've suffered mistreatment in the classroom, you should immediately report that mistreatment to your instructor's department head. You may be entitled to some form of grade relief.
- If your low grade is the result of a cheating or plagiarism allegation, you have the right to dispute your instructor's allegations or the severity of the sanction to a university Academic Integrity Panel.
- If you have a disability, you may have a right to accommodations in some courses. This includes learning disabilities like ADD. If you discover you have a disability that you didn't know about, you can petition the university to drop low grades from your transcript and allow you to retake those courses with accommodations in place.
- Some faculty are open to grade negotiation. For instance, you can always ask for extra credit or makeup assignments, especially if your grade is already borderline. An extra lab assignment could be enough to keep you from probation or suspension.
The attorneys at the Lento Law Firm know the OSU system so well that they can suggest other tips and tricks as well. For instance, if you've been suspended following the spring semester, you are allowed to take courses in the summer. If you manage to keep a 2.0 for these courses, you can continue on probation in the fall semester.
No matter what your particular situation, the Lento Law Firm's Education Law Team can help you come up with a plan for getting your academic career back on track, and we'll work side-by-side with you as you implement it.
What Can the Lento Law Firm Do for You?
Students ask us all the time: how is an attorney supposed to help me with academics? It's not like we can write your papers for you or take your exams. Sometimes, though, college success is as much about navigating school bureaucracy as it is about learning the periodic table.
It turns out that lawyers are especially good at dealing with bureaucracy. It's like a whole course in law school. The Education Law Team at the Lento Law Firm was specifically created to deal with educational bureaucracy. We know the law; we know how your school operates, and we're ready to put what we know to work in service of your future.
At the first sign of trouble, don't wait. Let the Lento Law Firm help you before you reach the point of probation or dismissal. Call today at 888-535-3686, or use our automated online form.
