You can't afford to take any threat of dismissal from LSU lightly. If you should lose your case, it might very well spell the end of your academic career. Very few schools will consider admitting a student who's already been expelled somewhere else. And you know what the job market is like for anyone without a college degree.
What does taking it seriously mean?
- It means finding out absolutely everything you can about the charges you're facing.
- It means educating yourself on LSU's judicial rules and procedures.
- Most importantly, it means finding help. You can successfully defend yourself, but you can't do it alone. Luckily, you don't have to. The Lento Law Firm's Student Defense Team is on your side. Our attorneys understand exactly what you're up against, and they're ready to make sure your rights are protected no matter what the situation.
Reasons for Dismissal at Louisiana State University
Knowing what can get you in trouble is always the first step to staying out of trouble. It's also important information if you've been accused of violating policy. You need to know exactly what you've been charged with if you're going to mount a successful defense.
- Academic Deficiencies: First up, you can be dismissed for simply failing to meet academic expectations. The LSU Academic Standing policy requires you to maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0. The school won't dismiss you just for slipping below that number. If you consistently struggle, though, you can eventually find yourself looking for another school.
- Academic Misconduct: Academic misconduct has to do with how you complete your coursework. School policy prohibits cheating, plagiarism, and any other action that might give you an unfair advantage as a student. Here again, one mistake usually isn't enough to get you dismissed. Two or more, though, can certainly result in dismissal.
- Disciplinary Misconduct: Beyond the classroom, your general campus activities are subject to LSU's Code of Student Conduct. This covers everything from underage drinking to simple theft to forgery. Any violation can potentially lead to dismissal.
- Sexual Misconduct: These offenses are almost always punished with dismissal. In addition to being a violation of university policy, sexual misconduct is subject to regulation under Title IX, a federal law.
Defending Yourself from Misconduct Charges
If your dismissal has to do with misconduct of any kind, you can expect the university to conduct an investigation and hold a hearing on the matter. Here's what those processes typically look like.
- Cases begin with complaints. The school's first responsibility is to determine whether or not a complaint is actionable and credible.
- If LSU opens an investigation into a complaint, the school will provide you with a Notice of the Charges. This notice should include an explanation of the specific charges and a list of your due process rights.
- As the accused, you have a number of important rights, such as the right to be presumed “Not Responsible” (not guilty) until proven Responsible. Perhaps the most important of these rights is the right to an advisor. This advisor, who may be an attorney, can fully participate in all aspects of any disciplinary proceedings. In short, you can trust that an attorney from the Lento Law Firm will represent you from start to finish in your case.
- Investigators usually start by meeting separately with both sides in the case. This is your first chance to give your side of the story. In addition, they interview any witnesses and collect any physical evidence.
- At the conclusion of the investigation, investigators submit a written report of their findings. The school then sets a time and date for a hearing and selects one or more Decision Makers to preside over the case.
- The hearing is a chance for both sides to make their cases and to respond to one another. You have the right to introduce evidence, to call witnesses, and to ask questions of any witnesses against you.
- Cases are decided using a legal standard known as “preponderance of the evidence.” Much less strict than “beyond a reasonable doubt,” this standard requires decision-makers to find you Responsible if they are more than fifty percent convinced you committed an offense.
- Finally, you have the right to appeal the hearing outcome in certain circumstances. These include
- Any departure from established judicial procedures
- The discovery of new evidence
- An outcome that does not fit the evidence in the case
- Bias or prejudice on the part of a decision maker.
It can be difficult to navigate the LSU judicial system on your own. You have a number of rights, for example, but it's not always easy to know how to use them to your advantage. Further, cases can differ significantly depending on the charges. In a Title IX sexual misconduct case, for example, both sides have the right to cross-examine one another. That's unique to these cases.
You can trust the attorneys at the Lento Law Firm to guide you through the entire process, no matter what charges you're facing. They are well-versed in all of LSU's procedures and can make sure you get the best possible resolution to your case.
Academic Dismissals
Unfortunately, dismissals for academic deficiencies aren't eligible for investigation, and you'll get no chance to defend yourself at a hearing. Such dismissals are based entirely on your GPA, and sanctions are generally assigned automatically.
That doesn't mean you simply have to accept such a dismissal. There are a number of informal strategies for avoiding an academic sanction, and the attorneys at the Lento Law Firm can help you choose one that is appropriate to your specific situation.
For instance,
- LSU allows you to replace up to three grades by retaking courses. Getting an F up to an A or B can significantly improve your GPA and help you avoid dismissal.
- Most learning disabilities entitle you to course accommodations like a note-taker or extra time to complete assignments. If you should discover you have an undiagnosed disability, you can petition the school to drop your low grades and let you retake those courses without penalty.
- Mistreatment is grounds for a grade appeal. You can bring such mistreatment to the attention of your instructor's department head, or you can file a formal grievance with the university.
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. We know how to negotiate with faculty and administrators; we know how to interview witnesses; we know how to put together water-tight appeals. To find out more about exactly what the Lento Law Firm can do for you, contact us today at 888-555-3686, or use our automated online form.
