If you've been at the University of the Cumberlands for more than a minute, you know that it's not as easy to keep your GPA up as you imagined it back in high school. It's not just about getting to class and studying, either. Plenty of other non-academic issues can hurt your grades. If you've got a learning disability, for instance, it may not matter how many hours you spend cramming for your calculus final. You're still going to be at a disadvantage when you sit down to take it. And what do you do if your chemistry professor just doesn't seem to like you?
Luckily, you don't have to deal with these kinds of issues on your own. Navigating the Cumberlands system can be a full-time job. The Lento Law Firm is here to help, though. We know exactly who to call when you have a problem. We know how to file grade appeals and what qualifies as an excused absence. Most importantly, we're always on your side, no matter what.
We can't take your exams for you or write your papers. We can show you some useful approaches to keeping your grades up, though, approaches that even your advisor may not know.
To find out more, call 888-535-3686 today, or take a little time now and tell us what kind of problem you're facing.
Academic Progress Standards at the University of the Cumberlands
The first thing you need to know about academic success at the University of the Cumberlands is that the school maintains a strict academic standing policy. There are clear standards you're expected to meet and clear consequences if you're not meeting them.
- Good Standing: The goal is always to keep yourself in good standing. That means a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or better. As long as you do that, you're considered to be making adequate progress toward your degree, and you don't have to worry about sanctions.
- Academic Alert: The University of the Cumberlands recognizes that your first year can be a roller coaster. As a result, if your GPA falls during this period, you're issued an academic alert simply as a reminder that you need to improve.
- Academic Warning: Once you've passed 30 hours, a GPA below 2.0 means an academic warning. While there are no extra requirements when you're on warning status, it is reported on your transcript.
- Academic Probation: If your GPA has not improved after an academic warning semester, Cumberlands then places you on academic probation. At this point, you are limited to no more than 15 hours for the semester.
- Subject to Suspension: A low GPA after a semester on academic probation means you are “subject to suspension.” You have not actually been suspended, but as you might guess, that is the next step.
- Academic Suspension: Finally, if you still have not improved your GPA after a semester on “subject to suspension” status, Cumberlands then suspends you for one full year.
Dealing With Academic Sanctions
The University of the Cumberlands academic standing policy makes no mention of dismissal, suggesting that you can always return to the university no matter how much you may have struggled in the past. However, suspension can be just as serious as outright dismissal. Once you've been away from school for any length of time, it can be difficult to go back, and many students never make it to graduation.
In addition, you can appeal a suspension if you have been suffering from extenuating circumstances, such as a serious illness or a family emergency.
What do you do if you can't point to extenuating circumstances, though? For that matter, what do you do if you're facing a less serious sanction like probation? It turns out the Lento Law Firm attorneys know a number of valuable strategies for keeping your GPA up so you can avoid reaching the point of suspension in the first place.
- You are entitled to fair treatment in every classroom. If any instructor seems to be mistreating you, you should report that to the instructor's department head. At a minimum, you have the right to appeal your grade at the end of the semester.
- If you should discover you have a learning disability, you may very well be entitled to course accommodations. In addition, you can ask the university to set aside low grades and allow you to retake those courses once accommodations are in place.
- Academic misconduct allegations can lead to lowered grades. Your instructor can even fail you outright if they believe you've cheated or committed some form of plagiarism. However, you can use Cumberland's complaint and grievance procedures to appeal these decisions.
- Faculty are sometimes willing to consider extra credit and make up assignments, especially for students with borderline grades. It could be that an extra lab or a paper rewrite is enough to raise your GPA.
- You can also negotiate with faculty on other grounds. For example, an especially high final exam grade might make for a strong argument for a raised course grade.
Once you contact the Lento Law Firm, one of our attorneys will go over your entire academic situation. We'll help you come up with a plan, and we'll work with you to put that plan into action. We can file appeals on your behalf, connect you with Disability Services, and even coach you on how to negotiate with faculty. We're committed to your academic success, and we'll do whatever we can to help you achieve that success.
What Can the Lento Law Firm Do For You?
Your University of the Cumberlands diploma is far more than just a piece of paper. It's your avenue to a successful career. If it's under threat for any reason, 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 progress 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.
