There may be no place in the US where you are held more accountable for your actions than a college or university campus. It isn't just that faculty scrutinizes your academic work. All your campus behaviors are under a microscope, and the least misstep can get you into serious trouble. In fact, Michigan State dismisses dozens of students every semester for everything from plagiarism to low GPAs.
You don't have to be one of them. Protect yourself by learning the rules and exactly what can get you dismissed. Make sure you know all the processes and procedures for defending yourself if you should wind up accused of an infraction. And—most importantly—know how to get help if you need it. Taking on your university is a serious matter, and you don't want to try to do it alone.
National Student Defense attorney-advisor Joseph D. Lento has helped hundreds of students just like you get the justice they deserve. He and his Education Law Team know what you're up against. They know how MSU's system works, and they know how to use that system to their advantage.
Reasons for Dismissal at Michigan State University
While there are many reasons Michigan State might try to dismiss you, they can all be gathered into four categories. The first of these has to do with your academic progress at the university. The other three relate to misconduct.
- Academic Performance: You won't be surprised to learn that MSU expects you to go to class and study. To ensure you do that, the university maintains an academic standing policy. In simple terms, you must keep a minimum 2.0 cumulative grade point average to remain in “good” standing. Anything lower can result in probation, recess, or dismissal.
All misconduct allegations are covered in the school's list of Rights and Responsibilities.
- Academic Misconduct: Academic misconduct has to do with how you complete your coursework. It includes things like plagiarism, cheating, and tampering with another person's research. Typically, faculty deal with minor violations in the context of the classroom. More serious and repeat offenses, though, can result in dismissal.
- Disciplinary Misconduct: Disciplinary misconduct has to do with your behaviors outside the classroom. Among your rights and responsibilities, for example, you are prohibited from possessing any firearms, damaging a key card, or taking another person's property without permission. Any violation of any university rule can potentially result in expulsion.
- Sexual Misconduct: Sexually-based offenses are treated as their own category of violation in part because they are subject to regulation under federal law (Title IX). In addition, proven violations are almost always punished with dismissal.
Misconduct Procedures
Michigan State University affords you the right to defend yourself from any misconduct charge. How you go about doing that will depend on the type of charge you're facing, but the process is generally the same in all cases.
- Academic and disciplinary misconduct complaints are filed with the Dean of Students. Sexual misconduct complaints are handled by the Title IX Coordinator.
- Among your due process rights, you have the right to an advisor who can help you prepare your case and accompany you to meetings and proceedings.
- If the university decides to act on the complaint, it will initiate some form of investigation. This may be as simple as a meeting with the two sides of the complaint, or it may involve witness interviews and collecting physical evidence.
- Investigative findings ultimately become the basis of a formal hearing.
- At the hearing, you are allowed to present evidence and call witnesses. You also have the right to ask questions of any witnesses against you.
- Once both sides have made their case, the hearing panel deliberates as to your level of responsibility (guilt). To do this, they use a legal standard known as “preponderance of evidence.” According to this standard, they must find you Responsible if they believe it is “more likely than not” that you committed an offense.
- You can appeal the hearing outcome, but only under limited conditions. Grounds for appeal include a decision not based on the evidence, a procedural error that affected the outcome, bias on the part of a decision maker, and a sanction that is disproportionate to the offense.
While this general outline applies to all misconduct cases, there are some important differences in how sexual misconduct cases are investigated and adjudicated. For instance,
- Under Title IX, investigators are required to conduct an unbiased investigation. In fact, both sides have the right to review the Investigative Report before the hearing and recommend changes if necessary.
- In academic and disciplinary cases, your advisor must be someone from the university and cannot be an attorney (though you have the right to consult an attorney). In Title IX cases, you have the right to choose anyone as an advisor, including an attorney.
- Title IX requires that all cross-examination be conducted by advisors rather than students.
Academic Dismissal Cases
While there are clear procedures for responding to misconduct charges, there are no formal means of challenging a dismissal for academic reasons. These decisions are based on GPA, and MSU does not consider GPA a reviewable factor.
However, there are always means of forestalling a dismissal decision. You can, for instance, appeal directly to the Dean of Students if you feel extenuating circumstances may have led to your academic deficiencies. Likewise, you always have the option to approach an instructor and ask them to reconsider your coursework.
Joseph D. Lento knows all the options available to you. He can help you come up with the best plan for your situation and help you put that plan into action.
Fighting for Your Future
By this point, you should have a clear sense of why you need the help of an attorney-advisor to fight dismissal decisions. Procedures can be complex and difficult to navigate, and the full weight of your school will be against you. Plus, it's no exaggeration to say that your entire future is on the line.
Joseph D. Lento built his practice helping students just like you handle all types of misconduct charges. He and his Education Law Team have dealt with everything from plagiarism allegations to rape 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. Most importantly, no matter what problem you're facing, they are on your side and will do everything in their power to get you the very best possible resolution to your case.
To find out more about what Joseph D. Lento can do for you, contact the Lento Law Firm today at 888-555-3686 or use our automated online form.
