As an Idaho State University (ISU) student, you can come back from probation and suspension. You can even drop out of school for a time if you get overwhelmed by school and return when you're ready. Dismissal, though, is permanent. Dismissal also means you'll find it almost impossible to get accepted anywhere else. You want to avoid dismissal at all possible costs.
How do you do that? You start by knowing the rules. What is it that can get you dismissed from ISU? You find out everything you can about how to defend yourself if you should wind up on the wrong side of the rules. Most importantly, you make sure you know how to get help.
The Lento Law Firm is on your side, no matter what. Our Student Defense Team knows how ISU's administrative and judicial systems work, and we're dedicated to protecting your rights.
What can we do for you? Call 888-535-3686 to find out, or take a few minutes right now and fill out one of our online forms.
Reasons for Dismissal from Idaho State University
First, you need to know the rules. That's easier said than done. There are dozens of ISU regulations that can get you dismissed. For the most part, though, all of them can be grouped into four basic categories.
- Academic Deficiencies: You're not in high school anymore, and there are serious consequences for low grades. Any time your GPA falls below 2.0, it means you're placed on warning status. Continue to struggle, and you can wind up on probation and, yes, dismissed entirely.
- Academic Misconduct: You can also be dismissed for violating the university's academic integrity policy. Usually, one cheating allegation or an incident of plagiarism isn't enough to do it. A second offense might, though.
- Disciplinary Misconduct: Your non-academic behavior can get you into as much trouble as academic misconduct, often more. The Student Code of Conduct bars things like theft, violence, and drug usage. Any violation can result in dismissal. Some violations, such as hazing and weapons possession, virtually always lead to dismissal.
- Sexual Misconduct: Sexually-based offenses are also so serious that they usually result in dismissal. Under Title IX, all US colleges and universities are required to investigate allegations, and they are encouraged to impose harsh penalties on those found Responsible (guilty).
Misconduct Defenses
Despite your best efforts, you can still find yourself accused of misconduct at ISU. What do you do if it's happened to you?
ISU policy provides you with some important due process protections. You have the right to a presumption of “Not Responsible,” for instance. You can defend yourself, but you need to know how to use the system to your benefit.
- Cases begin when someone lodges a complaint against you, either with the Dean of Students Office or, in the case of Title IX sexual misconduct, the Title IX Coordinator.
- The university then issues your official Notice of the Charges. This notice explains the allegations and describes your various due process rights.
- The university then conducts an investigation, looking to uncover the facts of the case. You'll likely be asked to provide investigators with your side of the story. You have another important right that you can exercise at this point—the right to an advisor. Your Lento Law Firm attorney cannot speak for you, but they can be at your side to help you answer questions.
- When the investigation is complete, investigators submit their findings back to the university. ISU then sets a time and date for a formal hearing.
- Hearings take place before one or more trained decision-makers. Both sides get to submit evidence and call witnesses to testify. You may also raise questions for any witnesses testifying against you.
- Decision-makers are required to utilize the legal standard, “preponderance of the evidence,” to determine your level of Responsibility. According to this standard, you are guilty if they are more than fifty percent convinced you committed an offense.
- One of your last rights is the right to appeal the hearing outcome. You must have grounds to do so, however, such as new evidence to present, a procedural error, or a disproportionate sanction.
Even though they cannot "represent" you the way they might in a criminal trial, your Lento Law Firm attorney can play a crucial role in your defense. In addition to helping you through investigative interviews, they'll work with you to uncover evidence and suggest your strongest arguments. They can suggest questions for witnesses, draft documents, and coach you in presenting your cases. Most importantly, they'll liaise with the university on your behalf and make sure you're treated fairly at every step of the process.
Dealing With Academic Dismissal
Lento Law Firm attorneys also know a number of strategies for protecting you from the threat of academic dismissal. There are no investigations or hearings in these cases. Even so, there are ways to avoid the threat of academic sanctions. For example,
- · If your academic deficiencies are the result of extenuating circumstances, such as a serious illness or a family emergency, you are entitled to appeal your dismissal.
- · A learning disability can also entitle you to special consideration. You may deserve course accommodations, like access to special technology or extra time to complete assignments. You also have the right to drop low grades from your GPA and to take extra time to retake courses for replacement credit.
- · There are also more straightforward ways to keep your GPA up, like asking faculty for extra credit and makeup assignments. Keep in mind that bringing a B up to an A can have just as much an effect as bringing an F up to a D. Don't wait until you're failing a class to ask for these opportunities.
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.
