You're here, but you're not sure why. So, let's start there. How is an attorney supposed to help you improve your GPA?
Here's the thing: college success has as much to do with learning to navigate the university system as it does with learning the Periodic Table. If you don't know who to contact when you need to miss class to attend a funeral, if you don't know who to talk to when you can't get along with an instructor, if you don't know what to do when your course webpage refuses to admit you uploaded your final paper, you're going to have a harder time earning good grades than someone who does.
Who's better at dealing with bureaucracy than lawyers?
And no one is better at dealing with educational bureaucracy than the lawyers at the Lento Law Firm. Our Education Law Team was founded to help students succeed. We know how the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire works, and we can show you some useful tips and tricks for making college life easier.
We'll get into some of those tips and tricks below. For now, though, know that any time you're struggling academically, you owe it to yourself to find out how we can help. Call 888-535-3686 today to find out more, or take a little time now and tell us what kind of problem you're facing.
Academic Progress Standards at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire
The first step to meeting UW-Eau Claire's academic standards? Make sure you know what those standards are. The university maintains a strict academic standing policy that sets forth expectations. That same policy also explains what happens when you're not meeting those expectations.
- Good Standing: The foundation of UW–Eau Claire's academic standing policy is “good standing.” Good standing means you're doing everything asked of you. You're making steady progress toward your degree and on track to graduate on time. You need two things to remain in good standing: a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0 and a term grade point average of at least 2.0.
- Academic Concern: If your cumulative GPA falls below 2.0 and/or your semester GPA falls between 1.0 and 2.0, the university shifts your status to academic concern. As part of this status shift, you must visit with your academic advisor to develop a plan for improvement. Otherwise, however, your primary goal should be to return to good standing.
- Academic Probation: This occurs if your term GPA falls below 1.0 or if you fail to return to good standing after a semester of academic concern. Basically, you're in the same situation as you were under academic concern, but you're one step closer to separation from the university.
- Academic Suspension: If you fail to return to good standing after a semester on probation, UW–Eau Claire then suspends you for a period of one semester. To return to the university, you must formally apply through the admissions office, and your return is not guaranteed.
Dealing With Academic Sanctions
If you've been dealing with extenuating circumstances, you can appeal the suspension to your specific college's faculty committee. A serious bout of depression or a family emergency can be grounds for more time to improve.
What do you do if you can't point to specific extenuating circumstances? For that matter, what do you do if you're just trying to avoid a lesser sanction like “concern” or “probation”? After all, you're always going to be better off if you can avoid reaching the point of suspension in the first place.
Lento Law Firm attorneys know the UW–Eau Claire system well enough to suggest a way of handling virtually any academic situation you might be facing. For example,
- If an instructor is mistreating you in any way, we can help you file a complaint with your instructor's department head. Often, this results in immediate relief. However, we can also work with you to file a formal grade appeal at the end of the semester if that becomes necessary.
- Sometimes, low grades are a sign of a deeper problem—a learning disability, like ADD or ADHD. We can also help you get tested. If you have such a disability, you have a right to necessary course accommodations and to drop low grades from your transcript.
- Some low grades are the result of academic misconduct allegations. If an instructor believes you've cheated on an exam or committed some form of plagiarism, they can lower your grade on the assignment or lower your course grade altogether. We can help you challenge their decisions, though, through the university's disciplinary conduct processes.
- You always have the freedom to ask instructors for extra credit and makeup work. They can say no, but there is no penalty for asking.
- You can also try negotiating with faculty directly. Your high score on a cumulative final exam might warrant a higher grade in the course.
When you contact the Lento Law Firm, an attorney will sit down with you and go over your particular situation. Only once they understand what you're dealing with will they suggest a plan of action. In addition, they'll work with you to implement that plan of action, whether that means contacting the university administration on your behalf, filing an appeal, or coaching you on how to negotiate with faculty.
Of course, if the worst should happen and you should find yourself suspended, we're also experienced at filing readmission packages. We know what the admissions department looks for in these applications and how to make you look your very best on paper.
What Can the Lento Law Firm Do for You?
Your University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire 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.
