When you enrolled in Kean University (Kean) in Union, New Jersey, you were ready for an exciting and purposeful college experience. You intended to celebrate your independence, enjoy your friends, study in your chosen field, and earn a sought-after degree.
Those priorities changed when you became the target of a student misconduct investigation. Accused of violating Kean's Student Code of Conduct or Academic Integrity Policy, you navigated the school's investigative and disciplinary procedures. You've been found responsible for a violation and sanctioned with expulsion.
An expulsion, also called a dismissal, is the permanent termination of your student status. Expulsion is among a university's most severe penalties against a student. But it does not necessarily end your academic career.
Even if you received an expulsion, you may have appeal rights, which, if properly exercised, may allow you to stay enrolled at your chosen school and program.
The Lento Law Firm can help you appeal your expulsion from Kean. Our experienced attorneys can partner with you and exhaust every option to keep your education on track. Contact our Student Defense Team by phone at 888-535-3686 or complete a confidential consultation form to discuss your case.
Consequences of an Expulsion from Kean University
Kean's Student Code of Conduct and Academic Integrity Policy reflect the university's commitment to fostering a campus environment that furthers academic inquiry and public discourse through its core values of integrity, fairness, respect, community, and responsibility. Kean seeks to create a safe and effective learning environment by prohibiting inappropriate, dangerous, and dishonest behaviors ranging from plagiarism and cheating to sexual assault, sexual harassment, physical assault, and theft.
An expulsion for violating Kean's conduct code or integrity policy can devastate the student involved. An expulsion may destroy nearly every aspect of a student's life, from where they live and work to their medical care and friends. You may no longer receive student-based benefits such as health insurance or housing. Academically, transferring to another college or university can be difficult after your transcript reflects an expulsion.
Financially, you are no longer able to earn the degree which was to be the foundation of your professional career. Additionally, you remain responsible for repaying any student loans, sometimes with an accelerated repayment calendar.
On a personal level, an expulsion will likely undermine your reputation and your relationships with mentors, professors, fellow students, and others.
How to Appeal an Expulsion Under Kean's Student Code of Conduct
If you receive a sanction of expulsion for a conduct code violation, you can appeal the decision. To appeal, a student must submit the appeal in writing to the Vice President of Student Affairs within three business days of receipt of the hearing officer's determination. The Review Committee for Appeals (Review Committee) then considers the student's request for an appeal.
If the Review Committee denies the appeal, their decision is final, and the student has no other appeal opportunities.
If the Review Committee determines that an appeal is warranted, the appeal process will continue.
The Vice President for Student Affairs determines if there exists a ground for appeal based on the following:
- If the sanction falls outside the sanction range commonly assigned for the offense
- There is a material deviation from written procedures that jeopardizes the fairness of the process.
- A demonstrable bias by the hearing officers.
- New information, unavailable at the time of the hearing, could determine the outcome.
If the Vice President for Student Affairs reviews the written request for an appeal and determines there is a sufficient basis, they will either hear the appeal or return the report to the original hearing body for reconsideration or rehearing.
If the Vice President for Student Affairs decides that there is no sufficient basis to change the decision of the hearing officers, the parties will be notified in writing. The decision of the Vice President for Student Affairs is final.
How to Appeal an Expulsion Under Kean's Academic Integrity Policy
At Kean, academic integrity violations are classified by seriousness, with the most severe infractions being categorized as Level 3 or Level 4. A student who receives a penalty for a Level 3 or Level 4 violation may file a written appeal of the charge or sanction with the Vice President of Academic Affairs within 30 calendar days of the date of notification. The written appeal must include:
- Clear explanations of the nature of and reasons for the appeal.
- Clear and concise statement of the facts, including appropriate supporting documents.
- Clear statement of the charge and/or sanction that the student is appealing.
- Current postal and email addresses and telephone numbers for the student.
The Vice President of Academic Affairs refers all appeals of Level 3 and Level 4 violations, which include violations that warrant an expulsion sanction, to the University Appeal Board (UAB). The UAB may uphold, modify, or dismiss a charge or sanction.
Decisions of the UAB are considered final and are appealable only on the grounds of procedures or substantive error. A student must file an appeal of the UAB determination in writing to the Vice President of Academic Affairs within ten days of the UAB's decision.
Let the Lento Law Firm Fight on Your Behalf
If you are facing expulsion for violating Kean's Student Code of Conduct or Academic Integrity Policy, the Lento Law Firm can help. Our experienced Student Defense Team can work through the appeals process with you, making the best case possible for your reinstatement.
The Lento Law Firm can help analyze the seriousness of the allegations, perform our own investigation focused on identifying witnesses and collecting new evidence, evaluate the school's written notice of the disciplinary charges and other correspondence, review the investigatory and adjudicatory process for compliance with Kean's policies, prepare you for the appeals process, and develop a comprehensive appeal strategy to meet your needs.
A student must exercise their right to appeal swiftly. The sooner you contact the Lento Law Firm, the sooner we can help you defend your enrollment at Kean.
Even if your appeal window has closed, our experienced attorneys may be able to offer other courses of action, such as working with Kean's Office of General Counsel. To protect your education and your future, contact the Lento Law Firm Student Defense Team by phone at 888-535-3686 or contact us online.
