You can't just transfer your way out of a dismissal. If you're in trouble at City Tech, and if someone has mentioned the possibility of dismissal, you have to take it seriously. The thing is, dismissal doesn't just mean dismissal. When you're expelled, the college includes a note on your transcript explaining the nature of your offense. Few schools are willing to accept an applicant with something like that on their record.
A problem this serious demands professional help. You need an attorney and not just any attorney. You need someone from the Lento Law Firm. The Lento Law Firm's Student Defense Team is dedicated to protecting student rights. We know the law, and we know how CUNY, City Tech works. We've also represented hundreds of students, so we know what to expect from the process.
What can we do for you? Call 888-535-3686 to find out, or take a few minutes right now and fill out our online form.
Reasons for Dismissal from City Tech
If you're defending yourself, job one is to understand the charges against you. You can't prove your innocence or explain your actions unless you fully grasp the allegations. At City Tech, there are four kinds of violations that can get you into trouble serious enough to lead to dismissal.
- Academic Standing: First, you can be dismissed for low grades. Oh, not immediately. One D or F isn't enough to get you kicked out. However, should your GPA fall below 2.0, City Tech places you on academic probation. If you continue to struggle while on probation, you can ultimately be dismissed.
- Academic Misconduct: No school wants to develop a reputation for cheating or plagiarism, so they maintain academic integrity policies. City Tech's policy outlaws all forms of classroom dishonesty. Again, one mistake is not going to doom your academic career. A second allegation, though, can certainly put dismissal on the table.
- Disciplinary Misconduct: City Tech's campus is a community, and like all communities needs “Rules and Regulations for the Maintenance of Public Order.” There are rules against underage drinking, for example, rules against theft, rules against weapons possession, and dozens of other rules designed to keep students safe and the campus running smoothly.
- Sexual Misconduct: This is among the most serious offenses with which any student can be charged. That's why, despite the fact that it's technically a form of disciplinary misconduct, it's treated as a separate offense. It's also why most students found Responsible for sexual misconduct wind up dismissed.
Misconduct Defenses
You should never simply accept dismissal. You're never any worse off fighting for your future.
If you've been accused of misconduct at City Tech, there are procedures in place that can help you with your fight. You're entitled to an investigation, for instance, and to make your case at a formal hearing. You also have several due process rights, such as the right to be presumed "Not Responsible" (innocent) and the right to review all evidence against you.
Here's a general outline of the process.
- Most cases are handled by the chief student affairs officer. The exception is sexual misconduct cases, which are usually under the jurisdiction of the school's Title IX Coordinator.
- If you are under investigation, City Tech must provide you with a Notice of the Charges. This Notice should explain the allegations against you and provide you with a complete list of your due process rights.
- As part of the investigative process, you should be asked to give your side of the story. You can also suggest evidence and witnesses for investigators to pursue. One of your most important rights is the right to an advisor, and you're allowed to choose that advisor. This means someone from the Lento Law Firm can accompany you to investigative meetings and help you respond to questions.
- Once the investigation is complete, investigators submit a written summary of their findings back to the college. In some cases, you may be allowed to review this document and make suggestions for changes.
- Ultimately, the school sets a time and date for a hearing and appoints one or more decision-makers to facilitate this hearing.
- At the hearing, both sides get to make their cases. This means offering arguments, submitting evidence, and calling witnesses. In addition, both sides get the chance to raise questions for the other side's witnesses.
- Decision-makers are tasked with determining whether or not you are Responsible for (guilty of) an offense. To do this, they employ a legal standard known as "preponderance of the evidence." According to this standard, they must find you guilty if they believe it is "more likely than not" that you committed an offense.
- Your final right is the right to appeal the outcome of the hearing. However, you're not allowed to file an appeal simply because you disagree with that outcome. You must have "grounds" for an appeal, such as a procedural error, the discovery of new evidence, or a disproportionate sanction.
One of the challenges of navigating the City Tech judicial system is that different kinds of cases can be subject to different rules. In a general sense, all cases follow the outline above. Small differences in procedure, though, can have a large impact on how you go about defending yourself. For example, in Title IX sexual misconduct cases, both sides are allowed to cross-examine one another. It's important, then, that you be prepared to answer questions before the hearing begins.
No matter what charges you may be facing, you can be sure your Lento Law Firm attorney is well-prepared and fully briefed on how the investigation and hearing will proceed. They'll not only guide you through these processes but help you make the very best use of your rights.
Academic Dismissal Cases
Unfortunately, City Tech doesn't offer any formal means of protesting an academic dismissal. The school doesn't consider your GPA to be a debatable issue, and virtually all decisions are based on your GPA.
The good news is that the attorneys at the Lento Law Firm know a number of informal approaches to warding off the threat of academic dismissal. For instance.
- If your deficiencies are the result of extenuating circumstances, such as a bout of depression or a family emergency, you can appeal directly to the dean of students for more time to improve.
- If you consistently struggle to pass your classes, you can try visiting with disability services. It could be that you have an undiagnosed learning disability. If you do, you can also request the college set aside your low grades and allow you to retake those courses.
- You can also try negotiating directly with instructors. Your high score on the final exam, for example, could be a strong argument that you deserve a better grade in the course.
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 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.
