It took hard work to get here, but you're a student at the University of California, Santa Barbara. Unfortunately, the work doesn't end here. You have to keep going to class, keep studying, keep writing papers, and ace exams. Only now, you have to do it while trying to master adulting at the same time.
Sound tough? It can be. It's not easy catching up when you've been in the hospital for a few days after a car accident. It's no fun going to class when you have to see your ex there every day. Then, of course, there's calculus.
Joseph D. Lento and his Education Law Team want to make sure you make it through all of that and anything else that might pop up. They're experienced with UC, Santa Barbara's many administrative systems. They know who to talk to and what to say, no matter what situation you might be facing. If you're struggling to meet academic expectations at UCSB, you owe it to yourself to find out just what they can do for you.
Academic Progression at UC, Santa Barbara
Every college and school at UCSB has its own academic standing policy that identifies what criteria constitutes “good” standing and what can happen to you if you don't meet those criteria. Most resemble that of the College of Letters and Sciences, UCSB's largest school.
The central requirement of this standing policy is actually quite simple. You must maintain a minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA. If at the end of a term, your GPA falls below that number, you are then subject to academic sanctions.
- Academic Probation: The College of Arts and Letters' standing policy notes that you shouldn't see academic probation as punitive but rather as a chance to improve. However, there are clear consequences for probation. For instance, you must enroll in between 12 and 17 credits while on probation. In addition, you are required to meet with your advisor to discuss your course schedule. You can remain on probation for up to two semesters, provided you earn a term GPA of at least 2.0. If, at the end of two semesters, you still haven't raised your cumulative GPA to 2.0, you are then subject to disqualification.
- Subject to Disqualification: You are “subject to disqualification” any time your cumulative GPA falls below 1.5, your term GPA is below 2.0 while on probation, or you fail to raise your cumulative GPA to 2.0 after two semesters on probation. Note that “subject to disqualification” does not mean “disqualified.” The Dean of Undergraduate Education has the discretion to allow you to continue at UCSB under certain conditions. You might, for example, be asked to submit an Academic Assessment.
- Disqualification: Disqualification literally means you are disqualified from enrolling in courses. However, even this does not mean permanent dismissal. You can apply for reinstatement after one academic year. In addition, you can continue to take summer courses at the university.
Dealing With Academic Standing Decisions
There are some mechanisms built into UC, Santa Barbara's academic standing policy for dealing with certain academic sanctions. For instance, the policy allows the Dean of Undergraduate Education to let a student continue under “subject to disqualification” status rather than facing outright disqualification. In addition, you can apply for reinstatement, even after disqualification. Perhaps most importantly, the policy makes no mention of dismissal, suggesting the university will always give students a chance to redeem themselves for academic failings.
In addition, there are other, less formal ways of handling the threat of an academic sanction. For instance,
- You can try negotiating with faculty for higher grades. You can ask them generally to review your work from a quarter, or you can offer a specific argument, such as your progress over the course of the quarter deserves some additional consideration.
- Some faculty are willing to assign extra credit and make up assignments, especially if you're only a few points from a higher grade.
- If your instructor made a mistake in recording or calculating your grade, you can request they submit a grade change form. You may have to prove the mistake, though.
- You have the right to challenge a lower grade that is the result of an academic misconduct allegation.
- You also have the right to protest any classroom mistreatment. If you feel an instructor is treating you unfairly, you should report that to the instructor's department head or the dean of your school or college.
- UC, Santa Barbara lets you replace a low grade by simply retaking the course and earning a higher one. This can be an easy way to improve your GPA.
As you can see, there are many ways to avoid an academic sanction or to deal with one after it's been applied. None of these approaches are easy, though. Take negotiating with an instructor. Before you try something like that, you need to come up with a strong argument and gather some compelling evidence. Likewise, an appeal for reinstatement requires a great deal of hard work and perseverance. Readmission is never automatic.
The thing is, Joseph D. Lento and his Education Law Team know how your school operates. No matter what you're situation, they can help guide you to the right solution.
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 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 Education Law Team. That Team was assembled specifically to handle student conduct and academic progress issues.
Joseph D. Lento and the Lento Law Firm 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.
