A low GPA at the University of Central Oklahoma (UCO) can be a sign that you need to buckle down and work harder. Success isn't just about being smart and working hard, though. If you're struggling to pass your courses and meet academic progression standards, it could be that you just need help navigating the system.
What do we mean? Like any college or university, UCO is a bureaucratic institution. Getting anything accomplished, from signing up for financial aid to paying a parking ticket, means going through mounds of red tape. Who should you contact if you need to miss class for a funeral, and what do you say? Where do you go if you think you might have a learning disability? How do you complain about an instructor who isn't treating you fairly?
You might be surprised by the idea that an attorney can help you with issues like these and that an attorney can actually get your GPA up. You shouldn't be. An attorney's job is to navigate bureaucracy.
It's practically an entire semester at law school.
Most of the time, lawyers deal with judicial and governmental bureaucracy. The Lento Law Firm's Education Law Team, though, is focused on handling educational bureaucracy. We've studied the law, particularly education law, but we also know how UCO's administrative processes operate, and we know how to use those processes to your benefit.
What can we do for you? Dial 888-535-3686 to find out, or take a little time now and tell us about your situation.
Academic Progression at the University of Central Oklahoma
A large percentage of our clients tell us they didn't know their school had specific academic progress requirements until they wound up on probation. So, let's start by talking about UCO's requirements:
- Good Standing: For most students at UCO, good standing means a cumulative grade point of 2.0 or above. The exception is freshmen. Before you've reached thirty hours, you need a GPA of 1.7 or above. As long as you keep to these numbers, you're considered to be making appropriate progress toward your degree.
- Academic Probation: Should your GPA fall below 2.0, you're placed on academic probation status. As the name implies, this is just one step from a more serious sanction. If you can pull your GPA back up in one semester, though, you return to good standing.
- Academic Suspension: If, after a semester on probation, your GPA remains below 2.0, UCO then suspends you for a period of at least one semester. You can return to the university at that point, but you do so under probation. A second suspension means dismissal.
Even after a dismissal, it is still possible to return to UCO. However, you must first attend another institution and raise your GPA back above 2.0.
Keep in mind that any time you are away from school, it can be difficult to return. Once you are out of the academic routine, it is not easy to get back into it, and many students who are suspended never manage to return. In addition, depending on the length of your suspension, you may need to begin repaying any student loans before you return.
Dealing With Academic Standing Decisions
If you're dealing with a suspension, the attorneys at the Lento Law Firm can help. We can review your record and make sure you're meeting any readmission requirements. We can also help you fill out the appropriate paperwork. We know how to make you look your best on paper.
A suspension is always a problematic interruption in your studies, though. It's always far better if you can avoid reaching this point in the first place. If you contact the Lento Law Firm early enough, as soon as you notice your grades beginning to slip, we can work with you to get back on track before you're forced to take time off. For example:
- If you've been dealing with extenuating circumstances, like a serious illness or a family emergency, we can help you file an informal appeal with the dean of your school or college. Often, such situations are grounds for more time to improve.
- A low GPA can be a sign of an underlying learning disability. Disabilities entitle you to certain classroom accommodations, such as extra time to complete assignments. You may also be entitled to retake courses for replacement credit.
- All students at UCO deserve fair classroom treatment. If you feel an instructor is treating you unfairly, you should report that to your instructor's department head as soon as possible. This will establish a paper trail that you can use to file a formal grade appeal or an official grievance.
- Your instructor has the authority to lower your grade on assignments or your course grade if they believe you've committed academic misconduct. However, you can appeal their decisions and/ or the severity of the sanction against you through the Office of Student Accountability and Conflict Resolution.
- Some instructors are open to the possibility of grade negotiation if you have a compelling argument. For instance, a high grade on your final exam might be a reason to ask for a higher grade in the course.
- Instructors are also sometimes willing to assign makeup or extra credit work. It could be that a paper rewrite or an extra lab assignment is enough to raise your grade and, thus, your GPA.
Your advisor may not tell you about all these options. In fact, they may not know about some of them. We've been at this a long time, long enough to have learned everything about how university systems operate. We'll not only tell you about all the options, we'll help you select one that's right for you. Then, we'll work with you to implement it, whether that involves filing a formal appeal or getting you tested for a disability.
What Can the Lento Law Firm Do For You?
Your University of Central Oklahoma 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 online form.
