If you’re a student at Santa Fe College, you can’t afford to ignore the threat of dismissal. Of course, you don’t want to lose your spot at the college. You don’t want to give up your academic progress. More importantly, though, you don’t want to give up your shot at a diploma. The fact is that if you wind up with a dismissal on your transcript, you’re unlikely to graduate from anywhere. Other schools just aren’t going to consider your applications.

The threat of dismissal doesn’t have to end in dismissal, though. You have rights as a student. The LLF National Law Firm stands ready to protect those rights and to ensure you get a fair and just resolution to your case. We’ve defended hundreds of students just like you from all types of charges. We know the Santa Fe College administrative and judicial systems, and we can show you how to use them to safeguard your future.

To find out more about how we can help you call 888-535-3686, or take a few minutes right now and fill out one of our online forms.

Reasons for Dismissal from Santa Fe College

Santa Fe College can dismiss you for dozens of different reasons. No one can keep up with all the school’s many rules and regulations. However, almost all of these rules and regulations can be grouped into four basic categories. Know these, and you can avoid most problems.

  • Academic Deficiencies: It won’t surprise you to learn that Santa Fe College expects you to perform as a student. After all, studying and going to class is kind of your job. According to the school’s academic standing policy, you can be placed on probation for a cumulative or term GPA below 2.0. Continue to struggle while on probation, and you’re subject to more serious penalties, including suspension and dismissal.
  • Academic Misconduct: Cheating and plagiarism can get you into just as much trouble as a low GPA. The Santa Fe College academic integrity policy bars all forms of academic dishonesty. First offenses usually result in grade penalties. Second offenses, though, can lead to dismissal.
  • Disciplinary Misconduct: Non-academic offenses, like underage drinking, drug possession, and disorderly conduct, are handled under the college’s Student Conduct Code. Any offense can lead to dismissal, but some, like weapons possession and hazing, almost always lead to this outcome.
  • Sexual Misconduct: This is yet another offense that almost always leads to dismissal. Sexual discrimination and harassment are prohibited under Title IX, a federal law, and Santa Fe College takes violations extremely seriously.

Misconduct Defenses

As we mentioned before, the threat of dismissal isn’t the same as dismissal. You always have the right to defend yourself. In fact, if you’ve been charged with some form of misconduct, you’re entitled under Santa Fe policies to some very important due process rights, such as the right to a presumption of innocence (“Not Responsible”).

  • Cases begin with a complaint. Anyone may lodge a complaint against you—other students, faculty, administrators, security officers, and other campus staff. However, Santa Fe College must decide whether the allegations against you are credible before formally charging you with an offense.
  • If you are charged, the college will issue you a Notice of the Charges. This should describe the allegations and contain a complete list of your due process rights.
  • Santa Fe College is relatively unique among US colleges and universities in that it gives you the right to representation by an attorney. This means your LLF National Law Firm lawyer can not only accompany you to meetings and proceedings but can fully participate in those proceedings.
  • The university will conduct some type of investigation. Even if the charge is simply academic misconduct, your instructor must put together documentary evidence to back their accusations. You have the right to give your side of the story during this investigation, to offer up evidence, and to suggest witnesses.
  • Investigators compile their findings into a written report. Once they submit this report, the college sets a time and date for a hearing and appoints one or more trained, unbiased decision-makers to preside over this hearing.
  • At the hearing, both sides have a chance to present their full cases. You may introduce evidence and call witnesses to testify. You may also raise questions about any evidence presented by the other side.
  • Finally, you also have the right to appeal the hearing outcome. There are restrictions on this right, however. You must have “grounds” for your appeal. Grounds can include an unfair hearing, an outcome not based on substantial evidence, the discovery of new evidence, and a disproportionate sanction.

Students often assume that campus judicial cases are simple and straightforward. The reality is that it can be difficult to navigate the many complexities of Santa Fe College’s justice system. Often, for example, cases can come down to careful interpretations of the college’s policies. You must be prepared to answer questions, but you must also have the right questions to ask other witnesses. Cases can differ in subtle but significant ways depending on the charges. In Title IX cases, for instance, both sides have the right to cross-examine one another.

The fact that the team attorney can fully participate in meetings and hearings is a significant advantage, and it’s one you shouldn’t waste. Don’t try to handle your defense on your own. We have the background and experience to make sure you’re treated fairly and that you get the best possible resolution to your case.

Dealing With Academic Dismissal

It can be somewhat trickier to defend yourself against an academic dismissal. These dismissals are based on your cumulative and term GPAs, and those aren’t usually open for debate.

Even in these cases, though, the LLF National Law Firm attorneys know some useful strategies for protecting your academic future.

  • You have the right to file a formal review of your case if you’ve experienced any extenuating circumstances. If you’ve been dealing with a long-term illness or a family emergency, you could be entitled to more time to improve your grades.
  • You always deserve fair treatment in the classroom. Any time you feel an instructor is treating you unfairly, you should bring this to the attention of your instructor’s department head.
  • Many faculty will consider assigning makeup and extra credit work to students with borderline grades. This can be a quick and easy way to raise your GPA.

Fighting for Your Future

By this point, it should be abundantly clear why trying to defend yourself from dismissal is always a dangerous proposition. It’s no easy task taking on a university, and the stakes are incredibly high. Luckily, you don’t have to go it alone. The LLF National Law Firm was built to help students. Our Student Defense Team can also be fierce when it comes to protecting our clients, and we’re not afraid of faculty and administrators.

Let us help you fight for your academic future. To find out more, contact the firm today at 888-535-3686. Or, fill out our online questionnaire.

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