It's not easy graduating from college these days, and we're not just talking about taking exams. Yes, courses are tough, and professors can be demanding, but your campus behaviors can get you into just as much trouble as low grades. In fact, Brandeis University dismisses dozens of students every year. Some of those dismissals have to do with GPA, but many have to do with issues like plagiarism, property damage, and underage drinking.
What steps can you take to ensure your academic career stays on track?
- First, know the rules. What kinds of policy violations can get you dismissed, and what can you do to avoid making them?
- Next, find out how to defend yourself. What are the processes and procedures the university uses for investigations and hearings?
- Finally, make sure you have help. If it's trying to dismiss you, your school isn't on your side. You need someone who is.
National Student Defense Attorney-Advisor Joseph D. Lento is ready to help. He and his Education Law Team know what you're up against. More importantly, they know how Brandeis works. Whatever problem you might be facing, they can help you create a plan to solve it and help you put that plan into action.
Reasons for Dismissal at Brandeis University
Let's start with the rules. There are basically four reasons why Brandeis University might try to dismiss you.
- Academic Performance: Brandeis isn't a social club. You're a student, and that means going to class and taking exams. The school maintains an academic standing policy that requires you to meet certain grade and grade point average standards. Fail to meet those standards, and you can wind up on academic probation. Continue to struggle, and you can be dismissed entirely.
- Academic Misconduct: This refers to any sort of misbehavior that might give you an unfair advantage in completing your coursework. The Academic Integrity policy specifically references plagiarism, cheating, unauthorized collaboration, and multiple submissions. Minor infractions are usually punished with academic sanctions like lower grades. Serious and repeat offenses, though, are subject to dismissal.
- Disciplinary Misconduct: This has to do with your non-academic behaviors. Most of the rules are listed under Student Rights and Responsibilities. There are a wide range of offenses, including underage drinking, hazing, tampering with fire equipment, and theft. Any offense can potentially get you dismissed.
- Sexual Misconduct: Sexually-based offenses are technically a form of disciplinary misconduct. However, they are treated as their own type of violation. Partly this has to do with the severity of the offense. Almost all proven misconduct is punished with dismissal. In addition, though, sexual misconduct is subject to federal law under Title IX, so the procedures in these cases are different than those for academic or disciplinary misconduct.
Misconduct Procedures
You have the right to challenge any charge of misconduct. With some small exceptions, the procedures for doing so are the same no matter what particular charge you might be facing.
- Academic and disciplinary charges usually originate with the Department of Student Rights and Community Standards or—in the case of sexual misconduct allegations—with the school's Title IX Coordinator.
- You have the right to select an advisor to help you prepare your case and to accompany you to meetings and hearings. In sexual misconduct cases, this advisor can be an attorney. In other types of cases, you must choose someone from the Brandeis community (though you always have the right to consult an attorney about your case).
- If Brandeis decides to pursue the case, they will open an investigation. An investigation can be as simple as an interview with both parties. On the other hand, complex cases might involve evidence collection and witness interviews.
- The investigative findings serve as the central piece of evidence in the next part of the process, a formal hearing.
- The hearing is your chance to make arguments, present evidence, and call witnesses to testify on your behalf. In addition, you may question any witnesses that appear against you.
- Once both sides have made their cases, decision-makers deliberate as to whether or not you are Responsible for a policy violation and, if necessary, what sanctions to apply. They use a legal standard known as “preponderance of the evidence.” Less strict than “beyond a reasonable doubt,” this standard requires them to find you responsible if they are more than 50 percent convinced that you committed an offense.
- You can appeal a Responsible finding. However, grounds for appeal are limited to new evidence, procedural error, and—in Title IX cases—bias on the part of an official.
Academic Dismissal Cases
Brandeis treats dismissal for poor academic performance considerably differently from dismissals for misconduct. Such dismissals are based almost entirely on grades, and since these are typically not open for debate, the university offers no formal means for contesting them.
Nevertheless, there are ways to prevent dismissal in these cases. If your performance has suffered because of extenuating circumstances, for instance, you can try appealing directly to the dean of your college or school for an exception. Sometimes you can negotiate with faculty to review your work from a semester. And, if you should be dismissed, Brandeis offers a readmission process.
Joseph D. Lento knows all the available options and can offer you advice on which ones will work best in your particular situation. Additionally, he can help you put a plan into action, whether that means coaching you in negotiation tactics or helping you draft an appeal.
Fighting for Your Future
By this point, you should have a clear sense of why you need the help of an attorney-advisor to fight dismissal decisions. Procedures can be complex and difficult to navigate, and the full weight of your school will be against you. Plus, it's no exaggeration to say that your entire future is on the line.
Joseph D. Lento built his practice helping students just like you handle all types of misconduct charges. He and his Education Law Team have dealt with everything from plagiarism allegations to rape 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. Most importantly, no matter what problem you're facing, they are on your side and will do everything in their power to get you the very best possible resolution to your case.
To find out more about what Joseph D. Lento can do for you, contact the Lento Law Firm today at 888-555-3686 or use our automated online form.
