If you want to succeed at Utah State University – Regional Campuses and Distance Education it's going to take hard work. There's no getting around that. You can't expect to pass exams if your don't study. You can't expect to keep your GPA up if you don't show up to class.
There are ways, though, to lighten the load a little. If you know how to use the USU – Regional Campuses and Distance Education system to your advantage, you can worry less about whether an absence is going to count against you in chemistry and whether that English TA who doesn't like you has any power to tank your comp grade. You can be sure you'll get a fair shake no matter what, and that can free you up to worry about bigger problems, like mastering differential equations.
It's not always easy to navigate a university system, though. USU – Regional Campuses and Distance Education is a vast bureaucracy made up of dozens of offices and departments run by hundreds of administrators and staff, and it's not always easy to know who to contact to deal with a particular problem. That's where we come in. The Lento Law Firm's Education Law Team knows your university's system inside and out. We can help you make sense of it and even show you some tips and tricks to ensure your grade point stays exactly where it needs to be.
We'll get into all of that below. For now, know that any time you're struggling with your grades, 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 Utah – Regional Campuses and Distance Education
First things first: What are the academic expectations at the University of Utah – Regional Campuses and Distance Education? What do you need to do to minimize the stress you face as a student?
You'll find the answers to these questions in the university's academic standing policy. That policy defines what constitutes good progress towards a degree. It also sets up a series of consequences for failing to make that progress.
- Good Standing: This is always the goal. It means you're doing exactly what you need to do to make it to graduation. Good standing at the University of Utah – Regional Campuses and Distance Education is defined as a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0.
- Semester Warning: The university issues a semester warning any time your semester GPA falls below 2.0. As long as your cumulative GPA remains above 2.0, you are still in good standing. However, the university does note semester warnings on your transcript.
- Academic Warning: If your cumulative GPA falls below 2.0 during your first 36 hours, you receive an academic warning. As part of warning status, you may be asked to meet with an advisor and sign a contract. Contract requirements usually include specific GPA markers, limitations on term hours, and the completion of academic success workshops. In addition, academic warnings are noted on your transcript.
- Academic Probation: A cumulative GPA below 2.0 after 36 hours means academic probation. The consequences for academic probation are essentially the same as those for an academic warning. You will likely be asked to meet certain obligations in order to retain your enrollment at the university and you'll receive a transcript notation.
- Academic Suspension: Should your term GPA fall below 2.0 while you're on probation, the university then suspends you from enrolling in courses. You can also be suspended for failing to meet other conditions of your academic contract. First suspensions last for two semesters. Second suspensions last for a full year. You can then apply for readmission to the university.
- Academic Dismissal: Third suspensions mean complete and permanent dismissal from the university.
Dealing With Academic Sanctions
If you've already been suspended by the University of Utah – Regional Campuses and Distance Education, we can help you to petition for readmission. Attorneys at the Lento Law Firm are experienced in filing these kinds of petitions. We know what readmissions committees look for and what kind of evidence will put you in the best academic light.
However, you're always better off avoiding dismissal in the first place if you possibly can. We can show you how to use the university system to do that as well. For example,
- The standing policy doesn't mention a formal appeals process, but if you've been dealing with any kind of extenuating circumstances, you should try appealing directly to the dean of your college for more time to improve.
- A low GPA can be a sign of a learning disability. You have a right to testing for such a disability. If you discover you have ADD, ADHD, or some other condition, you also have the right to ask the university to set aside your low grades and allow you to retake courses without penalty.
- You may have received a low grade as a result of an academic misconduct allegation. You don't have to accept such allegations, though. You can challenge an instructor's decisions to the dean and, ultimately, to the university's Honor Board.
- Some faculty are open to grade negotiation if you have a compelling argument. Even if your semester points don't add up to a passing grade, for example, your improvement over a term might be enough to convince an instructor to pass you.
- The easiest type of grade negotiation is to ask an instructor for makeup or extra credit work. One paper rewrite might be all you need to raise a course grade and, thus, your GPA.
- You should never suffer mistreatment in the classroom. If you feel an instructor is treating you unfairly, you should report that to their department head. You may be eligible for some type of grade relief.
When you contact the Lento Law Firm, we'll work with you to come up with an academic solution that's tailored to your particular situation. We'll also work with you to implement that solution, whether that involves filing an appeal or coaching you on how to negotiate with faculty.
What Can the Lento Law Firm Do For You?
Your Utah State University – Regional Campuses and Distance Education 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.
