Making it to graduation at Arizona State University isn't just about keeping your grades up. Sure, how you do in your courses matters, and you can certainly be dismissed if your GPA falls too low. You also have to worry about a whole host of other school policies, though. Cheating, underage drinking, and even vaping on campus can be grounds for dismissal.
What do you do if ASU is trying to dismiss you? You find out all you can about the rules. You investigate all of ASU's judicial processes and procedures. Then, you contact attorney-advisor Joseph D. Lento and his Education Law Team.
You always have the right to fight for your academic future. Taking on your university won't be easy though, and you should never try to do it yourself. Joseph D. Lento and his team know how things work at ASU. They also know the law and the many ways it protects you from unfair treatment by your school. Most importantly, they believe in you. They'll do everything they can to protect your rights and to ensure you get the best possible resolution to your case.
Reasons for Dismissal at Arizona State
We can't possibly list all the reasons Arizona State might dismiss you: there are just too many of them. However, you don't have to know them all to stay out of trouble. Instead, you just need to know the four categories they all fit into.
- Academic Misconduct: Schools that develop a reputation for cheating don't survive long. It's no surprise, then, that ASU has a detailed policy against all forms of academic misconduct. An accusation that you've been looking at another person's exam or that you've plagiarized a paper can get you a lower grade on the assignment or even dropped from the course. Particularly egregious offenses and repeat offenses can also result in outright dismissal.
- Disciplinary Misconduct: ASU also expects you to live up to certain standards when you're outside the classroom. These standards are collected in the school's Student Code of Conduct. That document includes 27 separate prohibitions against everything from gambling to disorderly conduct to simple theft. Any violation can potentially get you dismissed from the university. Some, such as hazing and weapons possession, almost always lead to dismissal.
- Sexual Misconduct: While sexual misconduct is technically a form of disciplinary misconduct, it is usually treated as its own separate type of offense. This is partly because such behavior is regulated under federal law, which dictates exactly how schools must go about responding to allegations. In addition, though, a Responsible finding in such a case almost always results in dismissal.
- Academic Performance: Last, but certainly not least, you can also be dismissed for struggling academically. According to the university's several standing policies, such as that of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, failure to maintain a 2.0 cumulative GPA can result in probation or “disqualification” from the university.
Defending Yourself from Misconduct Charges
If you're dealing with misconduct charges of any type, Arizona State gives you the right to defend yourself, especially if the charge you're facing carries a penalty of dismissal. How you do that may differ slightly depending on what type of violation you've been charged with.
However, in general outline, all of ASU's judicial processes work in the same basic way.
- Cases usually begin when someone registers a complaint against you. On campus, the accuser is known as the Complainant; the accused student is referred to as the Respondent.
- As the Respondent, you have a number of due process rights. For instance, you are supposed to be treated as “Not Responsible” until such time as you are proven Responsible for a violation. You also have the right to an advisor, and this advisor can be an attorney.
- If the school takes the allegation seriously, it will open an investigation. Investigators often start by interviewing both sides separately. This is your chance to explain your side of the story. In addition, investigators will gather any physical evidence and talk with potential witnesses.
- Once the investigation is complete, investigators typically complete an Investigative Report summarizing their findings. This report then becomes the centerpiece of the next phase in the case—a formal hearing.
- A hearing is your opportunity to make your full case. You may present arguments, submit evidence, and call witnesses. You also have the right to cross-examine any witnesses against you.
- Cases are decided using a legal standard known as “preponderance of the evidence.” Far less strict than “beyond a reasonable doubt,” “preponderance of the evidence” requires decision makers to find you “Responsible” if they believe it is “more likely than not” that you committed an offense.
- In all cases, you can appeal the hearing outcome, but only under very specific circumstances. Grounds for appeal are strictly limited to things like procedural error, the discovery of new evidence, or a sanction that is unequal to the nature of the offense.
Again, there are some minor differences in how different types of cases proceed. For example, in a sexual misconduct case, you have the right to cross-examine the Complainant as well as any witnesses against you. Joseph D. Lento and his Education Law Team are familiar with all judicial procedures at Arizona State University and can advise you about how to proceed no matter what specific charges you are facing.
Academic Dismissal Cases
Academic dismissal cases work significantly differently than misconduct cases. That's because decisions are usually based on objective facts—your GPA. That's not normally open to dispute, and so dismissal on academic grounds isn't subject to a formal hearing review.
However, there are a number of informal methods for dealing with this type of dismissal. If, for instance, your low grades are the result of extenuating circumstances, you may be entitled to more time to improve. Or, you may find that some professors are open to the possibility of grade negotiation. A particularly high final exam grade, for example, might suggest you deserve a higher course grade. Finally, in the event you are dismissed, you can apply for readmission after a semester away from the university.
Joseph D. Lento and his Education Law Team know all the options for protecting yourself from academic dismissal. They've also worked on numerous readmission appeals. Whatever your situation, they can help you come up with a plan to salvage your future.
Fighting for Your Future
By this point, you probably have a clear sense of why you need the help of an attorney-advisor to fight dismissal decisions. Campus judicial procedures can be complex and difficult to navigate, and the full weight of your school will likely be against you. Plus, it's no exaggeration to say that your entire future is on the line. You're facing dismissal, and you know what happens to people who go into the workforce with no college degree.
You need someone watching over your shoulder, making certain you're treated fairly and that you get the justice you deserve.
The Lento Law Firm was built on helping students just like you handle all types of misconduct charges. They know how to negotiate with faculty and administrators; they know how to interview witnesses; they know how to put together water-tight appeals. To find out more about exactly what Joseph D. Lento and his team can do for you, contact the Lento Law Firm today at 888-555-3686, or use our automated online form.
