College can be one of the most amazing experiences of your life. It's a chance to establish your independence, decide who you want to be, and make life-long friends. If you're facing dismissal, though, that could all go away very quickly. Indiana University dismisses dozens of students every year for everything from low GPA to plagiarism to stalking.
Maybe you're the victim of a false allegation. Maybe you genuinely did make a mistake, but should that cost you your college career?
Whatever your situation, attorney-advisor Joseph D. Lento and his Education Law Team are here to help. They believe in you, and they want to make sure you have every opportunity to earn your degree and go on to a successful career. And this isn't just a nice sentiment. Joseph D. Lento and the Lento Law Firm Team have spent years representing students just like you. They know the law, and they know how the IU system works. They don't just want to help; they have the skills to make sure you're treated fairly and that you get the best possible resolution to your case.
Reasons for Dismissal at Indiana University
Let's start by talking about the four broad reasons why Indiana University can dismiss you. After all, you can't hope to defend yourself unless you fully understand the charges against you.
- Academic Deficiencies: First up, you can be dismissed for failing to keep your GPA up. You came to IU to be a student, and the university expects you to live up to that commitment. As a result, if your cumulative GPA should fall below 2.0, you're placed on Academic Probation. Should you continue to struggle, you can also be dismissed.
- Academic Misconduct: You're also expected to maintain the highest standards of honesty and integrity as you work towards your degree. The IU Code of Student Rights and Responsibilities contains a list of specific academic prohibitions that includes cheating, plagiarism, fabrication, and interference, as well as helping another person to commit any of these infractions or generally violating course policies. Minor violations can result in punishments ranging from a verbal warning to an F in the class. Major and repeat offenses, though, can garner dismissal.
- Disciplinary misconduct: The IU Gode also contains an extensive list of rules governing general campus conduct. Here, you'll find restrictions on things like fireworks possession, verbal abuse, and property damage. Again, there is a range of punishments for violations, and dismissal is definitely among the range of possibilities.
- Sexual misconduct: Sexually-based offenses are almost always punished with dismissal. Misconduct isn't merely a violation of school policy. IU's own policy is based on federal law, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, and the school takes all allegations seriously.
Defending Yourself from Misconduct Charges
Indiana University gives you the right to defend yourself against any misconduct charges that could result in dismissal. The process for doing so is roughly the same, no matter what you've been charged with doing.
- First, someone lodges a complaint against you to the appropriate authority, whether this is the Academic Dean, the Dean of Students, or the Title IX Coordinator.
- If the responsible official believes the complaint is valid, they then initiate an investigation into the matter.
- When you've been accused of violating school policy, you are entitled to choose an advisor, someone to help you prepare your case. Importantly, you are allowed to choose an attorney to fill this role. However, while this person can accompany you to all meetings and proceedings, they may not speak on your behalf.
- Investigators typically meet with both sides in the case. In addition, they collect physical evidence and interview any witnesses.
- Once the investigation is complete, Investigators submit a full written report of their findings.
- The next phase of the case is a formal hearing. The investigative report serves as the school's principal evidence. You have the right to present evidence as well, though, including witness testimony. In addition, you have the right to cross-examine any witnesses against you.
- At the conclusion of the hearing, one or more appointed decision-makers decide whether or not you are “Responsible for” (guilty of) the offense. They use a legal standard known as “preponderance of the evidence.” Basically, they are required to find you Responsible if they are more than fifty percent convinced you committed a violation.
- You have the right to appeal the hearing outcome. However, grounds for appeal are strictly limited. That is, you may not simply object to the ruling. Rather you must be able to show some problem with the procedures themselves or present new evidence that wasn't available at the time of the hearing.
All misconduct cases follow this broad general outline. However, there are some important variations in how different types of offenses are investigated and adjudicated. For example, only advisors may cross-examine witnesses in Title IX sexual misconduct cases. If you want the best chance of successfully navigating these complex rules and procedures, you need to hire an attorney who understands campus judicial systems. You need to hire Joseph D. Lento and his Education Law Team.
Academic Dismissal Cases
There is one more reason why Indiana University could dismiss you: academic deficiencies. Unlike misconduct cases, though, there are no formal procedures for defending yourself from such dismissals.
There are plenty of informal approaches to responding to academic dismissals, though. For instance,
- If your deficiencies are the result of forces outside of your control—a serious illness, for example, or a family emergency—you can appeal your case to the dean of your school or college.
- If you discover you have a disability, you may be able to go back and retake courses in which you did poorly and raise your GPA.
- Some faculty are willing to assign makeup work and extra credit to students with borderline grades.
Whatever your situation, Joseph D. Lento and the Lento Law Firm Team can help you work out a plan for moving forward and help you put that plan into action.
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. Plus, it's no exaggeration to say that your entire future is on the line. You're facing dismissal, and you know what happens to people who go into the workforce with no college degree.
You need someone watching over your shoulder, making certain you're treated fairly and that you get the justice you deserve.
The Joseph D. Lento Law Firm Team 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 Joseph D. Lento and the Lento Law Firm Team can do for you, contact the Lento Law Firm today at 888-555-3686, or use our automated online form.
