There's no shame in admitting it: college was harder than you thought it would be. You thought you were prepared for difficult classes, but they're more difficult than you expected. You thought you could handle challenging professors, but they're more demanding than you expected. And it's not just classes that are tough. There are so many rules, and even the smallest infraction can have big consequences.
If you've found yourself in trouble, either academically or in terms of your conduct, and someone has mentioned the “D” word—Dismissal—you can't afford to take the situation lightly. You need help.
The Lento Law Firm's Student Defense Team is on your side. We know the law. We also understand that universities these days have gotten a bit too strict. They're quick to accuse students and far too ready to assign unfair sanctions like dismissal. We're here to make sure you're treated fairly and that you get every reasonable opportunity to earn your degree. For more information on our services, call 888-535-3686 or use our automated online form.
Reasons for Dismissal from Grand Valley State
If you want to stay out of trouble, it's crucial you know the rules. That way, you know what mistakes to avoid. And if trouble should come looking for you anyway? Knowing what you've been accused of gives you the best chance of defending yourself.
So, what do you need to worry about at Grand Valley State?
- Academic Performance: First, you have to meet the university's academic performance expectations. No surprise there: it's your job to be a good student. The GVSU academic standing policy requires you to maintain a minimum 2.0 grade point average. If your GPA should fall below that number, you'll find yourself on Probation or Jeopardy of Dismissal status. If it should continue to fall, you can also be dismissed.
- Academic Misconduct: GVSU expects you to maintain the highest standards of academic honesty as you earn your degree. Cheating, plagiarism, and any other conduct that could potentially give you an unfair advantage in the classroom are expressly forbidden by the university's Academic Honest policy. A single mistake won't doom your progress. You should know, though, that multiple violations of the policy can result in dismissal.
- Disciplinary Misconduct: You can also commit offenses that have nothing to do with your coursework. The Student Code contains a long list of prohibitions against everything from underage drinking to hazing. Any violation can potentially result in dismissal.
- Sexual Misconduct: Sexually-based offenses almost always result in dismissal. Most are prohibited under Title IX, a federal law. That law requires schools to investigate all credible complaints and encourages them to issue severe penalties to those found Responsible.
Misconduct Procedures
GVSU cannot simply dismiss you. You always have the right to challenge its decisions. If you've been accused of misconduct, you can defend yourself. You're entitled to an investigation and to make the case for your innocence at a formal hearing.
- Most cases begin with an allegation or a “complaint.” That complaint is made against you to either the Office of Student Conduct and Conflict Resolution (OSCCR) or, in the case of Title IX allegations, the Title IX Coordinator.
- If you're under investigation, the school must provide you with a Notice of the Charges. This notice should detail the allegation and offer you a list of your due process rights.
- Among your rights, you are entitled to bring a support person with you to meetings and hearings. In addition, this support person may be an attorney. This means that someone from the Lento Law Firm's Student Defense Team can be at your side from the moment you are charged.
- Cases usually begin with an investigation. Investigators give you a chance to give your side of the story. They'll also interview the Complainant (your accuser) and other witnesses and collect any physical evidence.
- At the conclusion of the investigation, investigators submit a report detailing their findings. Once the school receives this report, it sets a time and date for a hearing and assigns one or more decision-makers to preside over this hearing.
- The hearing gives you the opportunity to formally make your case. You may offer arguments, submit evidence, call witnesses to testify, and cross-examine any witnesses against you.
- Once both sides have had a chance to make their cases, decision-makers use a legal standard known as “preponderance of the evidence” to determine whether or not you are Responsible for (guilty of) an offense. “Preponderance of the evidence” requires decision-makers to find you Responsible if they believe it is “more likely than not” that you violated policy.
- Finally, you have one more important right: the right to appeal the hearing outcome. However, you may only appeal in very particular circumstances, such as new evidence, a procedural error, or a conflict of interest on the part of a decision-maker.
You should know that not all cases are the same. While they all follow this general outline, there are important differences in how different charges are handled. For example, sexual misconduct cases are usually dealt with using Title IX guidelines for investigations and hearings. Those guidelines guarantee you the right to cross-examine the Complainant. In other types of cases, you may only question witnesses.
No matter what charges you are facing, you can count on the attorneys at the Lento Law Firm to know exactly what processes and procedures you're facing and to work with you not only to navigate them successfully but also to use procedural rules to your advantage.
Academic Dismissal Cases
Academic dismissal cases aren't like misconduct cases. In most circumstances, you're not entitled to an investigation or a hearing. Instead, the university's decisions are based almost exclusively on your GPA.
Even in these cases, though, there are ways to fight dismissal. The attorneys at the Lento Law Firm know several useful strategies. For instance,
- If your academic deficiencies were caused by extenuating circumstances—a death in the family, for instance, or a serious illness—you can petition the dean of your school or college for more time to improve.
- A learning disability could entitle you to course accommodations, like a note taker or extra time to complete assignments. If an instructor denies you these accommodations, you can appeal to Disability Services for grade relief.
- GVSU allows you to replace a low grade simply by retaking the course and earning a higher one. The grade still appears on your transcript, but it doesn't count in your GPA.
Here again, the Lento Law Firm's Student Defense Team can advise you about all your options and will work with you to craft an individualized plan.
Fighting for Your Future
By this point, you should have a clear sense of why you need the help of an attorney 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.
The Lento Law Firm was built to help students just like you handle all types of misconduct charges. The firm's Student Defense Team has 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 the Lento Law Firm can do for you, contact the firm today at 888-535-3686 and find out just what we can do to help. Or use our automated online form.
