College seems to get more difficult every year. Courses grow more challenging; professors' expectations get higher. In general, universities expect you to show up knowing more than ever before.
It's not always easy to adjust to those higher expectations, especially right out of high school. It's not a question of whether you're bright enough or hard-working enough. Sometimes it's a matter of learning to navigate the system, of knowing who to talk to when a problem comes up and what to say. Most freshmen, and even a lot of upper-class students, haven't mastered that ability yet.
That's where Joseph D. Lento and his Student Defense Team come in. They can't take your courses for you or write your papers. They know how Texas Tech University operates, though. They know what paperwork you need to fill out when you're appealing a grade and how the judicial procedures work in cheating cases. Most importantly, they're committed to your academic success. So, if you're struggling to meet progression requirements, you owe it to yourself to contact the Lento Law Firm and find out just how they may be able to help.
Academic Progression at Texas Tech University
First things first: how does Texas Tech define academic progress? Like most colleges and universities, the school maintains an academic standing policy designed to let you know what it takes to graduate and to offer gentle—and sometimes not-so-gentle—reminders any time you happen to get off track.
As long as you earn a cumulative GPA that is 2.0 or above, you remain in “Good” standing. You're doing fine, and you have nothing to worry about. Should your GPA fall below that number, though, you face a progressive set of sanctions.
- Academic Warning: If you should struggle during your first semester at Tech, as many students do, you're issued an Academic Warning. The school requires you to submit midterm grades; you must visit regularly with an advisor, must complete an Academic Recovery Plan, and must take the PADR school's (Programs for Academic Development and Retention) course.
- Academic Probation: If your GPA should fall below 2.0 after your first semester, you are placed on Academic Probation. Conditions for Academic Probation are the same as those for Academic Warning. You can remain on probation for as long as it takes to return to Good standing, as long as you earn a 2.0 term GPA. If both your cumulative and term averages are below 2.0, you are then subject to suspension.
- Academic Suspension: Suspensions last for a minimum of one full semester, and your return is not guaranteed. You must apply for readmission to your academic dean. Should you take coursework at another institution, you must earn a minimum 2.0 GPA. And, when you return, you are placed on Academic Probation again.
- Academic Dismissal: Should you continue to struggle after returning from a Suspension, you risk dismissal. Dismissal works essentially the same as suspension, but you must wait a full academic year before applying for readmission.
- Permanent Dismissal: Any additional academic deficiencies result in permanent dismissal from the university.
Dealing With Academic Standing Decisions
Texas Tech University offers no formal means of challenging an academic standing decision. Because such decisions are based exclusively on grade points, the school assumes you have no defense if you're issued a sanction.
Joseph D. Lento and his Student Defense Team recognize that you can struggle academically for a variety of reasons. Over the many years they've been working with students, they've developed a number of strategies for handling this type of sanction.
- Some faculty are open to the possibility of grade negotiation if you have a strong argument about why your grade should be higher. For instance, perhaps your final exam score was higher than your other grades in the course, and you feel it best reflects what you actually learned.
- It is always worth asking a professor for extra credit or makeup work, especially if your grade is already borderline.
- If you've experienced extenuating circumstances during the semester, you can try asking your school or college dean to give you extra time to improve before they issue a sanction.
- If you should discover you have a disability you weren't aware of; you may be able to convince the university to set aside your low course grades and allow you to retake those courses with accommodations in place.
- You should never put up with mistreatment in the classroom. If you feel an instructor has treated you unfairly, you should report this to that instructor's department head.
- Some low grades are the result of academic misconduct allegations. Your instructor has the right to penalize your grade if they believe you've cheated or committed plagiarism. However, you can appeal their decisions to the Office of Student Conduct.
Whatever your particular situation, Joseph D. Lento and his team can help you come up with a strategy for keeping your education on track. Whether you need help gathering evidence of your academic ability or you're looking for coaching in the art of negotiating with faculty, they're on your side and will do everything in their power to get you the best possible resolution to your situation.
Premier Education Attorney-Advisor, Joseph D. Lento
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 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.
