Dismissal is a life-changing event for anyone who goes through it. The thing is, if you should lose your spot at Louisiana Tech, it doesn't just mean leaving Louisiana Tech. Dismissal always includes a transcript notation about the nature of your offense. You can probably imagine how a notation like that might affect applications to other schools. Most colleges and universities aren't anxious to admit students who already have a disciplinary record.
The job market isn't usually kind to those without a college degree. And, oh, by the way, you still have to pay back any student loans you may have taken out, even if you don't have a degree to show for it.
The moment your grades fall or you find yourself accused of some sort of misconduct, you need help—the very best help you can find. The Lento Law Firm is the premier firm in the country when it comes to student representation. Our Student Defense Team is experienced and knows what to expect from Louisiana Tech's administrative and judicial procedures.
What can we do for you? Find out by calling 888-535-3686, or take a few minutes right now and fill out one of our online forms.
Reasons for Dismissal from Louisiana Tech
Unfortunately, we can't give you a complete list of Louisiana Tech's rules and regulations. There are simply too many. What we can do is tell you the four major categories of offense. Know these, and you can usually avoid getting yourself into trouble.
- Academic Deficiencies: As a starting point, you need to keep your GPA up. If you're struggling in a class or two, don't panic. Under Tech's academic standing policy, a grade point below 2.0 means probation. Continue to struggle while on probation, though, and ultimately, you could wind up dismissed.
- Academic Misconduct: The second major reason students at Tech wind up dismissed? Academic misconduct, like cheating and plagiarism. Again, one Honor Code violation isn't usually enough to result in dismissal. Multiple violations can do it, though.
- Disciplinary Misconduct: Outside the classroom, your non-academic behavior is governed by Tech's Student Code of Conduct. Here, you'll find prohibitions against things like violence, theft, and drug possession. In this case, even first offenses can lead to dismissal if they are serious enough.
- Sexual Misconduct: Sexual misconduct isn't just counter to university policy but, under Title IX, to federal law. The government requires schools investigate all credible complaints, and it encourages severe penalties. Dismissal is actually the most common outcome in these cases.
Misconduct Defenses
Even if you do absolutely everything asked of you and follow every rule at Louisiana Tech to the letter, you can still sometimes find yourself in trouble. Misunderstandings happen; false allegations sometimes happen, or you may simply have made a mistake. What do you do about it?
Tech gives you the right to due process. You are innocent until proven guilty, and you are allowed to defend yourself at a hearing. Here's how the process usually unfolds.
- Someone lodges a complaint against you either to the Behavioral Standards Committee or, in the case of Title IX sexual misconduct, the Title IX Coordinator.
- The university issues you a Notice of the Charges, explaining the allegations and detailing your several due process rights.
- The appropriate office then initiates an investigation into events. Investigators usually start by separately interviewing the Respondent (the accused, you) and any Complainants (your accuser or alleged victim). In addition, they talk with witnesses and collect all physical evidence.
- Once the investigation is complete, investigators submit a written report of their findings. The university then sets a time and date for a hearing and appoints one or more decision-makers to preside.
- At the hearing, both sides have the chance to make their cases using evidence, including witness testimony. You also both have the right to raise questions for any witnesses testifying against you.
- Ultimately, decision-makers employ a legal standard known as “preponderance of the evidence” to decide the case. In simple terms, if they believe it is “more likely than not” that you committed the offense, they are required by this standard to find you Responsible (guilty).
- It is also possible to appeal a Responsible outcome. However, you must have grounds for appeal. At Louisiana Tech, grounds are limited to
- The discovery of new evidence;
- Contradictory evidence;
- A failure of due process;
- Disproportionate sanctions
Tech is relatively unique among US colleges in universities in that it allows students going through the misconduct process full legal representation. That means a Lento Law Firm attorney can not only offer advice throughout the investigation and hearing, but can actively participate in making opening and closing statements and examining and cross-examining witnesses.
Make the most of this special right by hiring an attorney from the Lento Law Firm. We were founded to protect student rights, and we've represented hundreds of students just like you from every type of accusation.
Dealing With Academic Dismissal
To this point, we haven't mentioned how to defend yourself from academic dismissals. The truth is, this type of dismissal can sometimes be tricky. Decisions are based exclusively on GPA, so there's no investigation or hearing.
Nevertheless, your Lento Law Firm attorney knows useful strategies for avoiding this sort of dismissal as well. For instance,
- Extenuating circumstances can be grounds for more time to improve. If you're dealing with a long-term illness or a family emergency, you can appeal directly to the dean of your particular school or college.
- Consistently low scores can be a sign of a learning disability. You have the right to proper testing and, if you do have a disability, to appropriate course accommodations. You also have the right to drop low grades from your GPA and retake those courses.
- Some faculty are willing to assign makeup and extra credit work. You may have to accept an Incomplete while you finish this work, but an "I" doesn't count against your grade point the way a "D" or an "F" does.
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.
