College can be tough, and we're not just talking about chemistry II and calculus. There may be nowhere else in America where you are under as much scrutiny as you are when you're on a college campus. Someone has an eye on you whether you're in class, in the dorms, or just walking around the quad. And in today's political climate, the slightest misstep can get you into serious trouble. In fact, schools like FIU regularly dismiss dozens of students every year.
If you're going to survive four years, you need to have a plan. You need to know exactly what can get you into trouble; you need to know how to defend yourself when you do wind up in trouble; and you need to know how to get help.
The attorneys on the Lento Law Firm's Education Law Team believe in you. They are committed to the idea that you deserve every reasonable chance to earn your education, and they are determined to make sure you get a fair shot at it, even if you happen to make a mistake or two along the way. They know the system at Florida International. They also know the law. If you're facing dismissal for any reason, you owe it to yourself to find out how they can help.
Reasons for Dismissal at FIU
Let's start at the beginning: just what can get you dismissed at Florida International? It turns out, that's a long list—too long to include here. However, most of the items on the list can be grouped into four basic categories of “offense.”
- Academic Deficiencies: Of course, one of the simplest reasons for dismissal at FIU is academic performance. The school maintains a strict academic standing policy that requires you to maintain at least a 2.0 cumulative GPA. If you can't meet that mark, you can find yourself on Probation, and if you continue to struggle while on Probation, you can be dismissed.
- Academic Misconduct: FIU also takes academic integrity seriously. Alongside the standing policy, there's an Academic Misconduct Policy, banning all the things you'd expect, like cheating, plagiarism, multiple submissions, and bribery. Minor offenses are serious enough to get you expelled from a course. Major and repeat offenses, though, can get you dismissed from the university.
- Disciplinary Misconduct: Likewise, your conduct out of class is regulated by the school's Student Conduct Code. Here, you'll find prohibitions against things like underage drinking, theft, and hazing. Any offense can ultimately lead to dismissal.
- Sexual Misconduct: While sexual misconduct is technically a form of disciplinary misconduct, FIU treats it as its own category of offense, with its own set of policies and procedures. You should also be aware that such offenses are subject to federal regulation under Title IX. As a result, colleges and universities take it extremely seriously, and most students found Responsible for a violation are expelled.
Defending Yourself from Misconduct Charges
Just because you've been accused of committing some form of misconduct doesn't mean you'll necessarily wind up dismissed. FIU gives you the right to defend yourself. You are entitled to a full investigation and to make the case for your innocence at a formal hearing. Here's how those processes work.
- Cases typically begin with a complaint made to either the Student Conduct and Academic Integrity (SCAI) office or the Title IX Coordinator.
- Any time you are under investigation, you are entitled to Notice of the Charges. You have other important rights as well, such as the right to be considered “Not Responsible.” Among these, you have the right to an advisor, and this advisor can be an attorney. In fact, in most cases, your advisor can represent you during meetings and hearings.
- The first part of the case is an investigation. Investigators speak separately with both sides. This is your first chance to give your interpretation of events. In addition, they interview any witnesses and collect any physical evidence.
- Once the investigation is concluded, investigators submit a written report of their findings. The administrative office in question then sets a time and date for a hearing and appoints one or more decision makers to preside over the case.
- The hearing is your opportunity to formally prove your innocence by offering up arguments, submitting evidence, and calling witnesses. In addition, you have the right to question witnesses against you.
- At the end of the hearing, decision makers must determine whether or not you are Responsible for a violation. To do this, they use a legal standard known as “preponderance of the evidence.” According to this standard, they must find you Responsible if they believe you “more likely than not” committed an offense.
- You can appeal the hearing outcome, but grounds for such an appeal are limited to issues like the discovery of new evidence, a procedural error, or a sanction that's disproportionate to the offense.
There are minor differences in how academic, disciplinary, and sexual misconduct cases are conducted. For example, Title IX gives both sides the right to question one another in addition to witnesses. However, only advisors may conduct this cross-examination.
Whatever type of charges you're facing, you can count on the Lento Law Firm's Education Law Team to know how to navigate the system. They've helped hundreds of students get the fair treatment and the justice they deserve, and they can help you to do the same.
Academic Dismissals
Academic dismissals are significantly different from misconduct dismissals. These tend to be based almost exclusively on your GPA, and FIU doesn't consider that a matter of debate.
Luckily, even in these cases, the Lento Law Firm Team knows the Florida International system well enough to know a number of alternative strategies to protect you from dismissal. For example,
- Extenuating circumstances—like an illness or a family crisis—can be grounds for more time to improve your grades. You should bring any such circumstances to the attention of your school or college dean.
- If you suffer from a learning disability, you may be entitled to classroom modifications, like extra time to complete assignments. If your instructor doesn't give you these accommodations, you should complain to the Office of Disability Services.
- Some faculty are open to the possibility of grade negotiation if you have a compelling argument to make. Likewise, you can try asking for extra credit or makeup work, especially if your grade is already borderline.
As with misconduct accusations, the Lento Law Firm Team is on your side when it comes to protecting you from academic dismissals. They'll help you develop a plan for salvaging your academic career and work with you to implement it, whether that means tracking down evidence of your abilities, drafting a formal appeal, or just figuring out who you need to talk to.
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.
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 we can do for you, contact the Lento Law Firm today at 888-555-3686, or use our automated online form.
