If college were just about writing papers and passing exams, it would be easy. OK, so you have to go to class and study. But you're bright and hard-working; you care about your education. Academic success should be a piece of cake.
The thing is, there's a lot more involved in earning a degree than just learning. You have to be able to get along with the cranky professors you encounter every once in a while; you have to know what to do when life intervenes, and you have to take time off to deal with a crisis; you have to know who to talk to when the school computer claims you haven't paid your bill this semester. In short, you have to learn how to navigate the system.
Luckily, you don't have to do it all on your own. The Lento Law Firm Education Law Team is here to help. We can't write your papers for you or take your tests, but we know the UNC, Charlotte system and how to use it to your advantage. We know how to file grade appeals; we not only know who to talk to when you have a problem but what to say; we know how to make sure your school treats you fairly. At the Lento Law Firm, we know what you're up against, and we can help get you through it.
Academic Progression at the UNC, Charlotte
On the most fundamental level, college success comes down to meeting the school's academic progress requirements. At UNC, Charlotte, those requirements are relatively straightforward. According to the Academic Standing policy, you need to maintain a minimum 2.0 cumulative grade point average. As long as you're doing that, you remain in what's termed “Good” standing. Should you struggle to keep your grades up, though, you face a series of progressively worsening sanctions.
- Good Standing With Warning: As long as your cumulative GPA remains above the 2.0 mark, you're still in Good standing. However, if your term GPA should fall, UNC, Charlotte issues you an Academic Warning. A Warning does not appear on your transcript, and it doesn't affect your ability to register. It's simply a reminder to keep your academic focus.
- Academic Probation: If your cumulative GPA falls below 2.0, you're then placed on Academic Probation. The good news is that there are no special requirements while on probation other than to return to Good standing. Further, you can remain on probation as long as that takes, so long as you earn at least a 2.3-term GPA. However, probation is noted on your transcript, and if you continue to struggle, you face suspension.
- Academic Suspension: This means separation from the university for a minimum of one semester. You must apply for readmission. That means paying a $75 fee and filling out an application, and your return is not guaranteed. In order to qualify for readmission, you must either complete an Associate's degree at another institution or remain on suspension for a full two years.
Dealing With Academic Sanctions
If you're facing Suspension, UNC, Charlotte does offer an appeals process. This process involves explaining what extenuating circumstances led to your deficiencies and providing documentation of these circumstances.
What do you do if you can't point to a serious illness or a family emergency as an excuse? For that matter, what do you do if you're trying to avoid lesser sanctions, such as probation? The attorney advisors at the Lento Law Firm have been helping students for many years, and they know a number of informal options for dealing with the threat of sanctions. For instance,
- You're allowed to take Summer courses at UNC, Charlotte, even if you have been suspended. This provides an opportunity to bring your GPA up and return to Good standing. Once you're in Good standing, you are automatically readmitted to the university.
- Consistently low grades can sometimes be a sign of an undiagnosed learning disability. Disability Services offers testing and can help you secure course accommodations if it should turn out you do have a disability. You may even be able to drop low grades from your GPA and retake those courses.
- Some low grades are the result of cheating and plagiarism accusations. Your instructors have broad authority not just to accuse you but to decide whether or not you are guilty and to assign grade sanctions. However, you have the right to challenge their decisions to the school's Academic Integrity Board.
- Classroom mistreatment can be grounds for a grade revision. You should report any such mistreatment to your instructor's department head.
- Some faculty are willing to assign makeup and extra credit work, particularly to students with borderline grades. This can often be the quickest way to bring your GPA up.
- Faculty are also sometimes willing to negotiate a grade if you have a compelling argument. For instance, if you scored high on your final exam, you might ask your instructor to use that as your course grade.
Whatever your situation, you can count on the attorney advisors at the Lento Law Firm to work with you to come up with an appropriate solution. Should the worst happen, though, and you wind up suspended, they are also highly experienced at filing readmission appeals.
What Can the Lento Law Firm Do For You?
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 dealing with bureaucracy as it is about writing papers and taking exams. No one knows more about bureaucracy than attorneys, and no one knows more about how to handle educational bureaucracy than the attorney advisors at the Lento Law Firm. That team was assembled specifically to handle student conduct and academic progress issues.
The Lento Law Firm Education Law Team is 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.
