If you're facing dismissal from Liberty University, you probably have a lot of questions. How did you wind up in this situation exactly? What can you do to defend yourself from the charges against you? What happens if you should lose your case?
Here's the first thing you should know: you don't have to deal with this situation on your own. In fact, you want the best help you can find if you're trying to take on your school. Attorney-advisor Joseph D. Lento and his Education Law Team know the law; they also know how Liberty's judicial processes and procedures work. Most importantly, they're committed to the proposition that a mistake or two shouldn't doom your academic career.
Whatever the charges you owe it to yourself to contact the Lento Law Firm Team today and find out just what they can do for you.
Reasons for Dismissal at Liberty University
First things first: you need to know exactly what can get you dismissed. Obviously, this can help you avoid making mistakes in the first place. It's also crucial, though, for building a solid defense. At Liberty, you can be dismissed for three different kinds of misconduct. In addition, you can be dismissed simply for academic deficiencies.
- Academic Misconduct: As a general rule, colleges, and universities expect you to earn your degree honestly. That's true at Liberty as well. The Student Honor Code prohibits anything that might give you an unfair advantage in the classroom—cheating, plagiarism, falsification, and any other form of dishonesty. A minor violation probably won't get you dismissed. A major violation or a repeat violation very well could, though.
- Disciplinary Misconduct: In addition, you are expected to conduct yourself as an upright member of the campus community. That's especially true at Liberty, a school with an emphasis on Christian values. Beyond its rules on academic misconduct, the Honor Code also contains strictures about things like bullying, hazing, and even dress. Any violation can potentially result in dismissal from the university.
- Sexual Misconduct: Sexually-based offenses almost always result in dismissal. Such offenses aren't just violations of the student code. They are also violations of federal law under Title IX. As a result, you can expect your school to take every allegation seriously and to investigate as zealously as possible.
- Academic Deficiencies: Finally, you can also be dismissed for failing to keep your grades high enough. Liberty maintains a sliding scale of minimum grade points you must achieve based on how many credits you've earned so far. Should your GPA fall below the requirement, you can be placed on probation, suspended, and—ultimately—dismissed altogether.
Defending Yourself From Misconduct Charges
You should know: justice at Liberty University is limited where misconduct allegations are concerned. You do have some rights, however.
- Academic Misconduct: Before they issue a sanction, instructors are supposed to use a legal standard known as "preponderance of evidence" to determine your Responsibility. Basically, they must believe it is "more likely than not" that you committed an offense. You can appeal their decision to the department chair, and you may appeal the chair's decision to associate dean. However, you have no right to a formal hearing of any kind. Decisions are based entirely on documentary evidence, including any written statements you may submit.
- Disciplinary misconduct: Likewise, you have no right to a formal hearing in these cases. Your case is heard by a Conduct Review Committee (CRC), but you are not invited to speak to this committee.
- Sexual misconduct: Only in sexual misconduct cases do you have significant due process rights. Among these, you have the right to a full investigation and a formal hearing. You have the right to call witnesses and submit evidence. And most importantly, you have the right to an advisor who may be an attorney.
Whatever charges you're facing, Joseph D. Lento and his Education Law Team give you your best chance of success. Even if you are not allowed a hearing, they can help you map out your strategy and prepare course materials. In addition, they can remain vigilant, keeping a record of whether or not you are treated fairly by the process.
Academic Dismissals
Academic dismissals are treated somewhat differently than misconduct dismissals. For the most part, there's no way to challenge such decisions, no appeals process, and no opportunity to submit a formal statement. Such decisions are based on GPA, and the school does not consider that open to review.
Luckily, even in these cases, Joseph D. Lento and his Education Law Team know ways to protect you. For example,
- If you're dealing with extenuating circumstances like a family emergency, you can appeal directly to the dean for more time to improve.
- You can try negotiating with faculty for higher grades. If, for instance, your final exam score was especially high, you might try arguing that you deserve that grade for the course, even if your other class work was weak.
- An undiagnosed learning disability may be grounds for setting low grades aside and retaking those courses.
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 Joseph D. 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 Joseph D. Lento and his Team can do for you, contact the Lento Law Firm today at 888-555-3686, or use our automated online form.
