You found yourself charged with some kind of misconduct at Columbia, and you didn't take the situation seriously enough. Maybe you didn't want your parents to know you were in trouble, so you tried defending yourself. Or maybe you hired a local attorney to help, but they didn't fully grasp the complexities of Columbia's justice system. Before you really knew what was happening, you lost your hearing. You thought you might get a slap on the wrist. Instead, you wound up on probation suspended, or...dismissed.
If you've found yourself on this page, it means you finally understand just what kind of deep water you're really in. But is it too late? What can you do about things now?
The attorneys at the Lento Law Firm are defense attorneys, but we're not just any defense attorneys. Our Student Defense Team was created specifically to help students get fair treatment from their universities. No one knows education law better than we do, and no one better understands how to use the campus judicial system to your advantage. If there's a way out of this situation, we'll find it. There are clear deadlines for appealing a disciplinary sanction, though, so you can't afford to wait. Call 888-535-3686 today, or tell us more about your problem by filling out our online questionnaire.
The Reality of the Situation
The truth of the matter is you're in trouble. There's really no getting around that. If Columbia has found you Responsible for (guilty of) an offense like hazing, drug possession, weapons possession, or sexual assault, you're most likely facing suspension or expulsion. These are serious penalties that can put your academic career in jeopardy and do serious damage to your job prospects.
Of course, any sanction that involves separation from Columbia represents an interruption in your studies and any time you're forced to take a break; it can be difficult to return at all.
The fact is, though, that suspension and expulsion can mean the end of your academic career. You can't just transfer your way out of these kinds of penalties. They're noted on your transcript, and you'll find that very few universities are willing to admit a student who's already been dismissed from another school. Even if you choose to walk away from college entirely, you're likely going to have to answer some tough questions every time you go for an interview for the next several years.
Columbia has already conducted an investigation and given you a chance to defend yourself at a hearing. You don't get another opportunity at those processes, even if you didn't fully prepare for them the first time around.
There is some positive news, though. Columbia also gives you the right to appeal your case. Alternatively, it is sometimes possible to negotiate a settlement with your school that will allow you to withdraw without a permanent black mark on your record. You need to know, though, that there is no guarantee of success. You're going to need help from someone with experience defending students, someone who knows how to navigate the Columbia system. You're going to need someone from the Lento Law Firm on your side.
The Appeals Process at Columbia
Columbia University provides students with several due process protections. That means any time you're accused of misconduct, you have some resources at your disposal to help you build a defense and to make sure you're treated fairly. Prior to your hearing, you were treated as Not Responsible (innocent) of the charges. You had the right to examine all the evidence in the case. You had the right to a hearing, to present evidence, and to call witnesses to testify. You also had the right to choose an advisor to help you with your case and the right to choose an attorney to fill that role.
You still have one more important right: the right to appeal the hearing outcome. There are some important restrictions on this right, though. First, you must file your appeal within five days of being notified as to the hearing outcome. Second, you must have sufficient grounds for an appeal. At Columbia, there are three possible grounds:
- There was a procedural error in the case that affected the outcome.
- You have discovered some new evidence that has a direct bearing on the case.
- The Hearing Officers assigned a penalty that is disproportionate to the nature of the offense.
All appeals are directed to the Dean or a designee, acting in their capacity as an Appellate Officer. The document itself should be no longer than five single-spaced typed pages, including attachments.
Assuming the Appellate Officer accepts your grounds for appeal, they will then take one of three actions:
- Affirm the decision and/ or sanction
- Revise the sanction to be less severe
- Return the matter to the Hearing Officers for reconsideration
As you'll note, nothing in the appeals process gives you the right to present your case directly to the Appellate Officer. There is no hearing at the appeals level. While the Appellate Officer considers all the evidence and documentation in the case, they do so behind closed doors.
This is one reason why having a Lento Law Firm attorney on your side is so crucial to this process. Everything about the case now rests on the quality of your appeal. You need compelling arguments, clear evidence, and a well-written document. We've helped hundreds of students file such appeals. You can trust us to know exactly what this Officer is looking for and to draft a document that puts you in the very best possible light.
Why the Lento Law Firm?
At this point, you've been through the entire disciplinary process at Columbia. So, you know just how complicated the rules and procedures can be. You also know what it's like to have faculty and administrators close ranks against you. In short, you know why it's a bad idea to try to take on the university alone.
This is your last chance, though, so you need someone who understands the situation. A local or family attorney won't do. They won't be up-to-date on education law, and they won't have experience dealing with campus judicial systems. Keep in mind: you aren't subject to a decision from a judge with a law degree. An academic is deciding your fate. You need someone who works with faculty and administrators every day. Someone who's dealt with hundreds of student appeals. You need someone from the Lento Law Firm.
We also have relationships with General Council attorneys (OGC) at schools all over the country. These Officers provide universities with legal advice, and it's sometimes beneficial to work with them directly as part of an appeal or to negotiate a post-appeal settlement.
Fight For Your Future
We can't promise you that you can win your disciplinary case on appeal. We can promise you, though, that you can't win if you don't appeal.
You have nothing to lose, and everything to gain by appealing, and hiring the Lento Law Firm's Student Defense Team gives you your very best chance of success. Don't wait, though. Appeals at Columbia must be filed within five days.
Contact the Lento Law Firm today at 888-535-3686 or use our online form.
