There are actually a lot of things that can get you dismissed from Arkansas State University. Like, dozens. Its a wonder any students manage to complete their degrees at all, given all the rules and regulations.
If you're in trouble at ASU and someone has mentioned the possibility of dismissal to you, the Lento Law Firm can help. Our Student Defense Team is the best in the country when it comes to protecting student rights. We know the law, we know ASU's administrative and judicial systems, and we're always on your side and ready to fight so you get justice.
What can we do for you? Call 888-535-3686 to find out, or take a few minutes right now and fill out one of our online forms.
Reasons for Dismissal from Arkansas State University
We mentioned there are dozens of rules and regulations at ASU, and there are—everything from GPA standards to prohibitions against underage drinking. Almost all of them, though, can be grouped into four basic categories.
- Academic Deficiencies: First and foremost, you must do your job. You're a student, which means you've got to go to class and you've got to study. Under ASU's academic standing policy, you're placed on probation any time your term or cumulative GPAs fall below 2.0. Should both fall at the same time, ASU suspends you, and if you continue to struggle, dismissal is also a possibility.
- Academic Misconduct: Next up, you need to worry about ASU's strict academic misconduct policy. As described in the Student Handbook, cheating and plagiarism are expressly prohibited. First offenses can result in lowered grades. Second offenses can result in dismissal.
- Disciplinary Misconduct: A bit further down in ASU's student handbook, you'll find a number of other general misconduct offenses, from theft to disorderly conduct. In this case, even first offenses can lead to dismissal if the misconduct is serious enough.
- Sexual Misconduct: Finally, the student handbook also deals with sexual misconduct. Though technically a form of disciplinary misconduct, sexual misconduct is usually treated as its own category of offense. Sexually-based offenses are actually prohibited under federal law (Title IX), and ASU takes such misconduct extremely seriously.
Misconduct Defenses
There are always ways to fight the threat of dismissal. If you've been charged with misconduct, there are actually clearly outlined processes and procedures.
- Most cases originate with the Office of Student Conduct, which receives complaints regarding both disciplinary and academic misconduct. Title IX sexual misconduct complaints are handled by the university's designated Title IX Coordinator.
- Any time you are under official investigation, you must be provided with a Notice of the Charges. This notice should identify your accuser, detail the allegations, and explain your due process rights.
- Among your several rights, you are entitled to a presumption of “Not Responsible” (innocence) and to review all evidence in the case. Additionally, you have the right to an advisor, someone to accompany you to meetings and hearings. This means the Lento Law Firm attorney can be on hand to help you answer questions the moment you are charged.
- As part of the investigation, investigators typically start by interviewing the Respondent (the accused, you) and the Complainant (your accuser or alleged victim) so they fully understand both sides. In addition, they interview witnesses and collect any physical evidence.
- Investigators turn in a written report summarizing their findings. This serves as the foundation of the hearing that follows.
- The hearing provides you with an opportunity to present arguments for your innocence or to explain what happened. You may introduce and call witnesses. The other side gets to do the same.
- Cases are heard by one or more trained decision-makers. These decision-makers employ a legal standard known as “preponderance of the evidence” to decide the case. Based on this standard, you are guilty if it seems “more likely than not” that you committed the offense.
- You have the right to appeal the hearing outcome. In some cases, the Complainant may have the right to appeal as well. However, appeals must be based on very specific grounds.
- Insufficient information to justify the decision
- Procedural error
- New evidence
- Disproportionate sanction
This process is complex enough. You should know, though, that cases can differ significantly depending on the nature of the charges against you. In Title IX sexual misconduct cases, for instance, only advisors are allowed to cross-examine witnesses. Details like this can change the entire complexion of a case.
Luckily, the Lento Law Firm attorney will be familiar with all of ASU's various judicial processes and procedures. You can count on them to prepare you for everything you'll face.
Dealing With Academic Dismissal
There are no formal processes and procedures in academic dismissal cases. Such dismissals are based almost entirely on your GPA, and that isn't normally subject to debate.
Nevertheless, there are useful ways to defend yourself from this type of dismissal as well. The Lento Law Firm attorney will know several strategies for protecting you. For example,
- If your academic deficiencies are the result of extenuating circumstances, such as a family emergency you had to deal with during the semester, you can file an informal appeal with the dean of your college.
- If you should discover you have a previously undiagnosed learning disability, you can ask the university to set aside low grades and allow you to retake those courses without penalty.
- You always have the option of asking for extra credit or makeup work. Not every instructor will be willing to do such assignments, but even a few can be enough to raise a GPA significantly.
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 Lento 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.
