College is about going to class, studying, writing papers, and taking exams. That's not all there is to it, though. College is also about learning to get along with cranky professors, figuring out who to talk to if you think you might have a learning disability, and knowing what to do when you have to miss class because your uncle passed away.
The Lento Law Firm can't help you much with that first list. If you're struggling to meet Wayne State University's academic requirements, you probably need to try things like visiting your instructor during office hours, finding a tutor, or joining a study group.
Not every problem can be solved by studying harder, though. If you're dealing with a problem from that second list, if your GPA has fallen, and you've tried everything you can think of to solve it, the attorneys at the Lento Law Firm may be able to offer some solutions. They know the law, and they're experienced in protecting student rights. More importantly, they know the WSU system and how to navigate it.
Academic Progression at Wayne State University
At Wayne State, individual schools and colleges are allowed to set their own academic standing policies. Most resemble that of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, the largest of the university's schools. Good standing there requires you to maintain an overall grade point average of at least 2.0. Anything below that number results in academic sanctions.
- Academic Probation: Probation is your opportunity to improve your GPA when it falls too low. It's also your last chance to avoid outright dismissal from the university. While on probation, you are required to meet with an advisor before you can register for courses. Otherwise, though, your chief responsibility is to return to Good standing. You have three semesters in which to do that.
- Academic Exclusion: If, after 3 semesters, your GPA remains below 2.0, you then face exclusion, or dismissal, from the university. It is possible to gain reinstatement following exclusion. You must first remain away from Wayne State for a full academic year. Then, you have to undergo a rigorous application process, and your reinstatement is not guaranteed. Finally, upon returning to WSU, you are limited to 8 credits during each of your first two terms back. You must also earn at least a C+ in all of your coursework during those semesters. Fail to meet those standards, and you'll wind up permanently excluded.
Dealing With Academic Standing Decisions
There are no formal procedures for challenging an academic sanction at Wayne State. The school doesn't regard your GPA as a reviewable matter.
At the Lento Law Firm, though, we understand that a low GPA can happen for lots of reasons, many of which have nothing to do with how smart you are or how hard you work. We've been helping students for many years, and in all that time, we've discovered a number of informal approaches to protecting our clients from academic sanctions. For example,
- If your low GPA is the result of extenuating circumstances, such as a family emergency or a serious illness, you can petition your school or college dean for more time to improve before a sanction is imposed.
- Some Wayne State faculty are open to the possibility of grade negotiation. This might be as simple as asking for makeup or extra credit assignments. Or, you might try arguing that your progress during the semester warrants a higher grade than you received.
- Any type of classroom mistreatment can be grounds for a grade appeal. If your instructor is treating you unfairly, you should bring that to the attention of your instructor's department head immediately.
- If you have a learning disability, you may be entitled to course accommodations, such as extra time to complete assignments or a designated note-taker. If you're denied these accommodations, you can ask to retake the course, even if you didn't know you had a disability at the time.
- Instructors have the authority to decide if you've cheated or committed plagiarism. Further, they generally have carte blanche to lower assignment grades or course grades as punishment for such offenses. However, if your low grade is the result of an academic misconduct accusation, you can appeal to your instructor's department head and request a hearing before the department's academic misconduct board.
Your advisor probably won't tell you about all of these options. They may not even know about some of them. To them, you're one of several students, and they may or may not decide you're worth the effort to find real solutions.
At the Lento Law Firm, you always come first. And we know all the tips and tricks to help you stay on track academically. We also know how to protect your rights throughout the process. No matter what your situation, we can help you outline a plan, and we'll work with you to implement that plan, whether that means drafting appeals or coaching you in the art of negotiation.
The Lento Law Firm Can Help
Students ask all the time: How is an attorney supposed to help me make it through college? It's a fair question. After all, 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.
The thing is, though, succeeding in college is often as much about navigating bureaucracy as it is about writing papers and taking exams. No one knows more about dealing with bureaucracy than attorneys, and no one knows more about dealing with educational bureaucracy than the Educational Law Team at the Lento Law Firm. That team was assembled specifically to handle student conduct and academic progress issues.
The attorneys at the Lento Law Firm are 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 888-535-3686 or use our automated online form.
