There is no tomorrow when it comes to university dismissal. It's like March Madness for academics—pure chaos and the prospect that every game you play could be your last. Don't try to take a serious misconduct charge on by yourself. There's too much at stake.
Luckily, you don't have to. The Lento Law Firm is here to help, and we're always on your side. Our Student Defense Team knows how to protect your rights, and we can show you how to use the judicial process at CCSU to your advantage. We've helped hundreds of students defend themselves from every type of charge. What can we do for you?
Find out by calling 888-535-3686, or take a few minutes right now and fill out one of our online forms.
Reasons for Dismissal from Central Connecticut State University
To get kicked out of high school, you really have to be working at it. Students are entitled to a primary education under the Constitution, and no matter what kind of mistake you might make, no one could deny you that right.
Things are different when it comes to college. There are actually dozens of different reasons CCSU can dismiss you, and if you want to protect yourself, you need to have at least some working knowledge of the rules and regulations.
One thing that can help is that there are really only four categories of offense.
- Academic Deficiencies: First, you can be dismissed for failing to keep your grades up. According to CCSU's academic standing policy, you need at least a 2.0 grade point average to remain in good standing. Anything below that, and you're placed on probation. Struggle while on probation, and you're dismissed. Simple as that.
- Academic Misconduct: You can also be dismissed for taking shortcuts to a good GPA. Any sort of classroom dishonesty, including cheating and plagiarism, can result in a charge of academic misconduct. First offenses can put a dent in your grade. Second offenses often result in dismissal.
- Disciplinary Misconduct: Non-academic offenses often bring dismissal faster than academic offenses. The Student Code of Conduct outlaws misconduct such as weapons possession, drug usage, and theft, and even first offenses can sometimes lead to dismissal.
- Sexual Misconduct: Dismissal is actually the most likely sanction in these cases. Sexual misconduct is governed by federal law under Title IX, and colleges and universities are encouraged to impose severe penalties on students found Responsible for such offenses.
Misconduct Defenses
Whatever type of dismissal you may be facing, the attorneys at the Lento Law Firm can show you how to use administrative and judicial processes and procedures to defend yourself.
If you've been accused of misconduct, for instance, CCSU must provide you with due process protections. That means you're “innocent until proven guilty,” that the university must have concrete evidence in order to find you Responsible (guilty), and that you have the right to respond to any and all evidence at a full hearing.
- Misconduct cases typically begin when someone lodges a complaint against you. As the accused, you are referred to as the Respondent. If there is an alleged victim, they are referred to as the Complainant. At issue is whether you are Responsible for the charges or not.
- The university must provide you with an official Notice of the Charges. This notice explains the allegations against you and details your several due process rights.
- One of your most important rights is the right to an advisor. In addition, you can choose an attorney to serve in this role. Your Lento Law Firm attorney cannot speak for you, but they can be at your side to help you answer questions and present your case.
- CCSU then conducts an investigation. Even a plagiarism accusation requires some concrete evidence. You always have the right to give your side of the story and to review any evidence the university should uncover in the case.
- Once investigators submit their findings, the university sets a time and date for a hearing and appoints one or more decision-makers to preside.
- The hearing affords both sides the opportunity to make their cases. You may submit evidence, and you may call witnesses to testify. In addition, you may raise questions for anyone testifying against you.
- CCSU employs a legal standard known as “preponderance of the evidence” in deciding all misconduct cases. According to this standard, decision-makers must find you Responsible if they are more than fifty percent convinced of your guilt.
- You can appeal a hearing outcome should you lose your case. However, you must have grounds for such an appeal, such as a procedural error committed by the university or new evidence to present.
All misconduct cases—disciplinary, academic, and sexual—follow this basic outline. However, how cases unfold can depend on the exact nature of the charges. In Title IX cases, for example, only advisors may cross-examine witnesses. These differences can play an enormous role in how you prepare for your case. You can be certain, though, that your Lento Law Firm attorney is well-versed in all processes and procedures. We've defended hundreds of students from all types of charges. We know what to expect, and we can make sure you're ready for whatever you face.
Dealing With Academic Dismissal
There are no investigations and hearings in academic dismissal cases. There are, however, ways to defend yourself. If you've been dealing with any extenuating circumstances—a bout of depression, for example, or a serious illness—these can give you more time to improve your GPA. Here are some additional strategies you might try.
- Any time you feel an instructor is mistreating you, you should report that to the instructor's department head. This can result in immediate relief. At a minimum, it will serve as the foundation for a formal grade appeal once the semester is over.
- If you struggle in all or most of your courses, consider visiting with Disability Services. It could be you have an undiagnosed learning disability. Usually, that means you'll need some course accommodations, and you can drop low grades from your transcript while you retake courses.
- It's always worthwhile asking instructors for extra credit and makeup assignments. Not all of them will say yes, but enough usually will to keep your GPA out of trouble.
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.
