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The impact of a university dismissal can be devastating. It’s no exaggeration, in fact, to say that a dismissal from the University of Wyoming can affect the rest of your life. Why? Because dismissal from UW isn’t just dismissal from UW. Once you’ve been dismissed from one school, it can be impossible to find another school to take you. Dismissal can mean the end of your academic career. Period. You have to fight the threat of dismissal, and you have to win.

LLF National Law Firm is here to help you in that fight. We were founded to protect your rights as a student, and our Student Defense Team has gained a reputation as the best in the country when it comes to defending students from misconduct allegations. We know what you’re up against, and we know how the University of Wyoming’s processes and procedures work. No one gives you a better chance of success.

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

Reasons for Dismissal from the University of Wyoming

How you defend yourself from the threat of dismissal depends on the exact nature of the threat. So, let’s start by going over the four categories of offense you can face at UW.

• Academic Deficiencies: First, it’s important you keep your grades up. The academic standing policy requires you to keep a GPA of at least 2.0. You won’t lose your spot at UW the first time you fail a course or make a couple of Ds. Consistently struggle, though, and dismissal is a possibility.
• Academic Misconduct: Keeping your grades up is just the start, though. The university maintains dozens of rules and regulations. As far as your classroom behavior goes, the academic integrity policy prohibits things like cheating, plagiarism, and misrepresentation. Even first violations can result in failed courses. Second offenses are often punished with dismissal.
• Disciplinary Misconduct: There are rules governing your activities outside of class as well. The Student Code of Conduct prohibits things like underage drinking, weapons possession, and hazing. In this case, first offenses can lead to dismissal if they are serious enough.
• Sexual Misconduct: These offenses almost always lead to dismissal. Sexual misconduct allegations are among the most serious allegations any college student can face. UW’s policy is required by Title IX, a federal law, and the government pressures schools to impose harsh penalties.

Misconduct Defenses

You’ll notice three of the above categories of offense concern misconduct. In fact, this is the most common reason students at UW wind up dismissed.

However, an allegation doesn’t have to mean dismissal. The university provides every student with due process, and if you know how to use that process to your advantage, you can often successfully challenge a misconduct charge

• Most cases begin with a complaint lodged against you with either the Dean of Students or, in the case of Title IX sexual misconduct allegations, the Title IX Coordinator.
• UW then supplies you with notice of the charges. This notice should provide details of any allegations and a complete list of your due process rights.
• You have the right to an “advisor” of your choice. This means that someone from LLF National Law Firm can be with you from the investigation on, helping you answer questions and present your arguments.
• The university cannot find you Responsible (guilty) without clear evidence. Thus, you can be sure that UW will conduct a thorough investigation. Usually, investigators begin by interviewing the Respondent and the Complainant separately. In addition, they speak with witnesses and collect any physical evidence.
• Cases sometimes take weeks or even months to complete, depending on the complexity of the case. When they are done, investigators submit a full, written report of their findings. You have the right to review their findings, though, prior to the hearing.
• Hearings may take place before one decision-maker or a panel of decision-makers. In any case, you present arguments for your innocence using all available evidence, including witness testimony. You may also raise questions about any piece of evidence being used against you.
• Cases at UW are decided using a legal standard known as “preponderance of the evidence.” A “preponderance” of evidence means decision-makers believe it is “more likely than not” that you committed an offense.
• You can appeal the outcome of your hearing if you should lose. However, you must have clear grounds for such an appeal, such as an allegation of procedural error, a disproportionate sanction, or some new piece of evidence that you’ve discovered.

These procedures apply in all misconduct cases. However, your case may differ depending on the specific nature of the charges. No matter what your situation, though, you can be sure your LLF National Law Firm attorney is well-versed in all processes. They can help guide you through the UW judicial system and even show you how to use that system to protect yourself.

Dealing With Academic Dismissal

Finally, if you’re dealing with the possibility of an academic dismissal, you’re subject to yet another set of procedures. In this case, there’s no investigation and no hearing. Decisions are based entirely on your GPA.

Nevertheless, there are ways to protect yourself from this type of dismissal as well. Your LLF National Law Firm attorney can help you determine exactly which one is going to work best, depending on your situation. For instance,

• You are entitled to fair treatment in the classroom. If you aren’t receiving that, you should report this to your instructor’s department head.
• If you consistently struggle to pass your courses, you should visit Disability Services. They can get you tested and, if necessary, work out appropriate course accommodations. You can also petition the university to drop low grades from your GPA and allow you to retake those courses.
• Extenuating circumstances can also be grounds for university intervention. If you’ve been dealing with a family emergency or you’ve suffered from some type of serious illness, you can petition the dean of your college to set aside dismissal and give you additional time to improve.

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. 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.