College success is about getting to class every day and studying every evening. It's about visiting professors during office hours, joining study groups, and finding a tutor for subjects in which you struggle. It's also about learning to navigate the university system, though--about knowing who to call when you have a problem and what to say.
You've got the academic routine down. Otherwise, you wouldn't have made it into the University of Missouri, Kansas City (UMKC) in the first place. The truth is that almost everyone struggles with navigating bureaucracy. Luckily, the Lento Law Firm has you covered on that score. You know lawyers: we were born knowing how to fill out paperwork, how to track down the right administrators, and how to cut through all the red tape. And no one handles educational bureaucracy better than the Lento Law Firm's Education Law Team.
So, if you're struggling to meet academic progress requirements, don't wait. Call 888-535-3686 today to find out how we can help, or take a little time now and tell us about your situation.
Academic Progression at the University of Missouri, Kansas City
High schools aren't allowed to have academic standing policies. All K-12 students are entitled to an education by law. Not so college students. So, you may not be familiar with the UMKC standing policy. It's also reasonably complex, with a number of different standing categories that depend on grade points. Here are the basics:
- Good Standing: Let's start with good standing. This means you're making steady progress towards your degree. At UMKC, it's defined as a GPA above 2.0.
- Academic Alert: If your GPA falls between 1.5 and 2.0 while you are a freshman, UMKC places you on academic alert. This is a kind of grace period in which you are still learning to be a college student, and so the consequences for slipping grades are relatively minor. You must return to good standing in one semester, though, or you face academic notice.
- Academic Notice: All other students whose GPA falls below 2.0 are placed on academic notice. In addition, freshmen with GPAs below 1.5 receive this status. You have two semesters while on academic notice to return to good standing, provided you earn a minimum 2.0-term GPA. If you fail to do that, you are dismissed entirely from the university. Fail to return to good standing by the end of two semesters on academic notice, and you're placed on academic warning status.
- Academic Warning: This is a final warning status. You must return to good standing within one semester, or you face academic dismissal.
- Academic Dismissal: This means complete separation from UMKC. You are ineligible to enroll for at least one calendar year. You may apply for readmission at that point. However, your return is not guaranteed.
Dealing With Academic Standing Decisions
UMKC offers an appeals process for students with mitigating circumstances. If you've been dismissed from the university and you can point to a long-term illness, a family emergency, or some other serious condition, you can request additional time to raise your GPA. Your Lento Law Firm attorney is familiar with the university's appeal procedures and can walk you through the process of gathering evidence and filing the paperwork.
You are always better off, though, if you can avoid dismissal in the first place. Luckily, your Lento Law Firm attorney has some suggestions for doing that as well:
- UMKC offers a Grade Contract as part of its standing policy. This contract can set your required term GPA lower than 2.0. If you're still finding your way at the university, this can be a good option to exercise while you're on alert or notice status. A goal of 1.8, for example, gives you more flexibility as you're trying to return to good standing.
- Low grades can be a sign of a learning disability, such as ADD, ADHD, or dyslexia. UMKC's Disability Services can help get you tested and work with your instructors to get you the necessary course accommodations. You can also petition the university to drop low grades from your transcript while you retake courses.
- Instructors have the authority to lower your grades if they suspect you of cheating or plagiarism. However, you have the right to challenge their decisions. An appeal to a university hearing board may be all it takes to wipe out an F on your transcript.
- If you've been treated unfairly by an instructor, you should report that immediately to your instructor's department head. At a minimum, you have grounds for a grade appeal, and it's important to create a paper trail from the beginning to support this appeal.
- Faculty are sometimes willing to negotiate grades, especially if you have a compelling argument. If, for instance, your final exam score was especially high, you might try arguing that you deserve a higher grade in the course.
- Some faculty also assign makeup and extra credit work, especially to students with borderline grades. An extra lab assignment or a paper rewrite could help you raise your GPA and avoid an academic sanction.
While there are many ways to deal with the threat of an academic sanction, it's not always easy to know which one is right in your given situation. You can count on the attorneys at the Lento Law Firm to review your case carefully and give you targeted advice. Not only will they come up with a plan to help salvage your university career, but they'll work with you to put that plan into action.
What Can the Lento Law Firm Do For You?
Your University of Missouri, Kansas City 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.
