There are all kinds of reasons you might struggle to meet GPA requirements at the University of Nebraska, Omaha (UNO). Of course, good grades have a lot to do with whether or not you attend class regularly, whether you spend enough time studying, and whether you start papers before they're due. That's not all there is to it, though. You also need to know who to contact if a professor just doesn't seem to like you. You need to know how to prove your week-long absence from classes was about attending a funeral and not just a weekend bender that got out of hand. You need to know where to go if you think you might have a learning disability. Put simply, you need to know how to navigate the UNO system.
The attorneys at the Lento Law Firm can't take your tests for you or write your papers. We won't call you in the morning to make sure you get to that 8 AM class on time. What we can do, though, is help you deal with university bureaucracy. Part of practicing law is learning to handle red tape, and no one knows more about university red tape than the Lento Law Firm's Education Law Team.
If you're struggling to meet UNO's academic progress standards, it could be you just need help navigating the system. We can help. To find out how, call the Lento Law Firm at 888-535-3686, or take a little time now and tell us about your situation.
Academic Progression at the University of Nebraska, Omaha
What does “academic progress” actually mean at UNO? You need to keep your grades up, of course, but there are actually more concrete requirements than that. UNO's academic standing policy explains it all.
- Dean's List: There are honors to be had at UNO when you're doing exceptionally well. Any time you earn a term GPA of 3.5 or better, the university places you on the Dean's List. Accolades like this look impressive on your transcript.
- Good Standing: More generally, though, you want to remain in good standing if you possibly can. This means you're making steady progress towards your degree. At UNO, good standing means keeping your cumulative GPA above 2.0 (1.75 if you haven't reached 40 hours yet).
- Academic Probation: If your GPA falls below 2.0, UNO places you on academic probation. Probation means you're struggling, and it's a warning that you can face more serious sanctions if you don't improve. UNO recommends you visit with your advisor and take advantage of all the university's various study resources. Your main goal, though, is to return to good standing. You can take as long as you need to do that as long as you keep your term GPA above 2.0 every semester you're on probation.
- Academic Suspension: Any time your semester GPA falls below 2.0 while you're on probation, you are eligible for suspension from the university. However, suspensions are only assigned after the spring semester, which means if you're struggling in the fall, you still have time to improve. Suspension lasts for a minimum of one full semester.
You can return to UNO after a suspension. However, you must first schedule a reinstatement meeting with your college to discuss what you can do to improve academically.
UNO's standing policy doesn't mention dismissal, which suggests the university will always give you a chance to return. Keep in mind, though, that it can be difficult to come back from a suspension. Once you've gotten out of the academic routine, it can be hard to reestablish. Plenty of students never return from suspension, and a large percentage of those who do don't manage to finish their degrees.
Dealing With Academic Standing Decisions
If you have been suspended from UNO, the attorneys at the Lento Law Firm can help you with the reinstatement process. We know what college committees look for when it comes to readmission. We can work with you to fill out the paperwork and prepare you for your reinstatement interview.
The truth, though, is that you're always better off if you can avoid reaching the point of suspension in the first place. The attorneys at the Lento Law Firm know how to do this as well. Often, it involves learning to use the system to your benefit rather than letting it overwhelm you. For instance,
- If you've been dealing with extenuating circumstances, these can be grounds for more time to improve. You must have concrete evidence of your situation, but you can always appeal directly to the dean of your college to avoid probation and suspension.
- If you consistently struggle in your classes, you may have an undiagnosed learning disabilities. This is not uncommon. The Lento Law Firm attorney can help you get tested. They can also work with the university to get you appropriate course accommodations. They may even be able to convince UNO to set aside your low grades and allow you to retake those courses without penalty.
- Not all instructors treat students fairly. If you feel you're being mistreated in any way, the Lento Law Firm attorney can help you file a grade appeal or a formal grievance.
- Low grades can result from cheating and plagiarism allegations. You can fight these, though, through mediation and appeals processes.
- You can try negotiating with instructors. You need a good argument, and some experience with the process of negotiation, but a good argument can sometimes be enough to convince a professor to give you a higher grade.
- The simplest sort of negotiation is to ask for extra credit or makeup work, especially if you already have a borderline grade.
Every situation is different. Your academic progress issues are individual to you. So, the Lento Law Firm attorney will start by talking with you and learning about the problems you're dealing with. Then, they'll work with you to develop a plan. They'll also help you to implement that plan, whether that means coaching you in the art of negotiating with faculty, filing an official appeal on your behalf, or just figuring out which office you should contact.
What Can the Lento Law Firm Do For You?
Your University of Nebraska, Omaha 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.
