Conventional wisdom says that any time you're struggling with your grades at the University of New Hampshire (UNH), you should study harder. Maybe you join a study group, visit your professors during office hours, or sign up for tutoring. Conventional wisdom, of course, isn't always right. Brains and discipline are key to college success, but so is the ability to effectively navigate the university system.
There are only two things you can really count on as a student. First, problems are going to come up. You're going to come down with some crazy version of the flu that's only ever been reported in the Congo. You're going to run into a professor who seems to feel education is meant to be some sort of death march. You're going to wind up with a roommate who has night terrors. Second, the university is going to put as much bureaucratic red tape in the way of solving these problems as it possibly can.
That's what the Lento Law Firm is here for—handling educational bureaucracy. Our Education Law Team was built to help students. We can't take your exams for you or write your papers, but we can handle the red tape and make your college experience easier. We've been at this a long time. We know who to call when you have a problem and what to say. We also know more than a few tips and tricks for keeping your GPA up.
To find out more, dial 888-535-3686, or take a little time now and tell us about your situation.
Academic Progression at the University of New Hampshire
The UNH academic standing policy is serious. The university doesn't put students on probation the way other schools do. Instead, if your GPA falls below a certain level, you are simply suspended. No grace period, no chance to improve. Here's everything you need to know about how the policy works.
- Good Standing: This is where you want to be over the course of your academic career. It means you're meeting minimum standards and making steady progress towards your degree. UNH defines good standing as maintaining cumulative and term grade point averages of 2.0 or better.
- Academic Exclusion: If you are struggling with your grades and your progress is in doubt, the university can place you on exclusionary status. Often, for instance, you can wind up on exclusionary status because you have an Incomplete you need to deal with. Generally, you have until the midpoint of the semester to take care of any exclusionary business, or you face more serious consequences such as suspension or dismissal.
- Academic Suspension: Suspension is determined on a sliding scale based on how many hours you have completed.
- If you are between 17 and 32 hours, you can be suspended when your GPA falls below 1.7.
- If you are between 33 and 64 hours, you can be suspended for a GPA below 1.8.
- Between 65 and 96 hours, you can be suspended for a GPA below 1.9.
- Over 96 hours, you can be suspended for a GPA below 2.0.
You can return from suspension following a semester away. However, you must complete a Reactivation form. As part of your petition, you must be able to explain what caused your academic deficiencies and what changes you've made to improve. Your return is not guaranteed.
If you return from suspension and cannot raise your GPA to good standing levels, you then face permanent dismissal from the university.
Dealing With Academic Standing Decisions
The attorneys at the Lento Law Firm can help you return from suspension and, in some cases, even dismissal. We are experienced in filing student petitions. We know exactly what the Dean's Office at UNH looks for in these documents and how to make you look your best on paper.
A suspension or dismissal is never the best option, though. Even if you can return to school, it can be hard to get back to academics. Many students who return never manage to complete their degrees. You are always better off if you can avoid these outcomes. Luckily, the attorneys at the Lento Law Firm can help with this as well.
- If your deficiencies were caused by or exacerbated by extenuating circumstances, such as a serious illness or a family emergency, you can appeal directly to the dean for more time to improve.
- Consistently low grades can be a sign of a learning disability. Disability Services can help you get tested and, if you do have a disability, work out fair course accommodations for you. You can also ask the university to set aside your low grades and let you retake those courses for replacement credit.
- If at any time you feel you're being mistreated in the classroom, you should report that to your instructor's department head. You may be entitled to some type of grade adjustment.
- Low grades are also sometimes the result of academic misconduct allegations – charges of cheating, for instance, or plagiarism. However, you have the right to file an Academic Honesty Violation Appeal.
- Instructors are sometimes open to the possibility of grade negotiation. If you have a strong argument, you can sometimes convince a professor to give you a few extra points. If, for instance, you showed real improvement over a semester, you may deserve a passing grade even if your scores don't add up to one.
- You also always have the right to ask for extra credit and makeup assignments. Such assignments can be a quick and easy way to pull your GPA up.
No matter what your situation, your Lento Law Firm attorney will go over all the options available to you. They'll help you outline a plan, and they'll work with you to put that plan into action. The Lento Law Firm attorneys know how the UNH system works and how to use it to their best advantage.
What Can the Lento Law Firm Do For You?
Your University of New Hampshire 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 the Lento Law Firm do for you? To find out, call us today at 888-535-3686 or use our online form.
