No one needs to tell you how tough MIT is. You deal with demanding professors and impossible assignments every day. There's something to be said for facing down a challenge, and MIT is a bigger challenge than most.
Still, while you're an MIT student, and that marks you as special, you're only human. Like the rest of us humans, you are prone to making mistakes. Maybe you overslept and missed that important chemistry final. Or, maybe you aced the chemistry final and then celebrated a little too much afterward. At MIT, mistakes like these can lead to dismissal.
If you're in trouble, if the school is threatening to dismiss you, you don't want to try to handle the situation all on your own. There's simply too much at stake. You need help, and you need the best help you can find. Joseph D. Lento is an attorney-advisor who specializes in student discipline cases. He understands what you're going through, and he knows the very best strategies to salvage your academic career.
Reasons for Dismissal at MIT
From plagiarism to physical assault, there are a whole host of reasons why MIT might try to dismiss you. For the most part, though, they can be grouped into four basic categories.
- Academic Performance: Obviously, you're expected to excel as a student at MIT. In fact, your academic progress is carefully reviewed after each and every term by the school's Committee on Academic Performance (CAP). Failure to achieve a 3.0 (on a 5.0 scale) GPA or to pass at least 36 units of credit each term can get you put on Academic Probation or dismissed from the school for up to a year.
- Academic Misconduct: MIT takes a dim view of any sort of dishonesty, especially as it relates to the classroom. The Policy on Academic Integrity mentions a number of specific kinds of violations, including cheating, plagiarism, unauthorized collaboration, and falsification of data, but anything that might tend to give you an unfair advantage in completing your coursework can lead to dismissal.
- Disciplinary Misconduct: You aren't just under scrutiny in the classroom at MIT; you're also held to the highest standards of personal and professional conduct. The Policies Regarding Student Behavior prohibit everything from hacking to improper use of hazardous materials. Many violations, such as hazing, drug possession, assault, and weapons possession, can get you dismissed from the school.
- Sexual Misconduct: Technically, sexual misconduct is a type of disciplinary misconduct. Because it is subject to federal law, though, it is treated as its own category of offense. Allegations are handled using processes spelled out in Title IX, and most Responsible (guilty) verdicts result in expulsion.
The Adjudication Process
When it comes to defending yourself from dismissal, knowing the rules is half the battle. The other half is understanding MIT's processes and procedures. Of course, how you go about defending yourself is determined by what kind of dismissal you're fighting.
- Typically, faculty handle academic misconduct themselves. If a charge is serious enough to warrant dismissal, though, you have the right to present your side of the story at a hearing before the Committee on Discipline (COD). As part of this hearing, you may make arguments, submit evidence, and call witnesses to testify on your behalf.
- Disciplinary misconduct charges are also dealt with through the COD, and the process is essentially the same as in academic misconduct cases.
- Most sexual misconduct charges are handled through Title IX procedures as implemented by the Institute Discrimination and Harassment Response Office (IDHR). As with COD cases, you can expect an investigation and a live hearing. The process is stricter and more formal, however, and dealt with by Title IX personnel at MIT.
- Finally, dismissals for academic failures are in the hands of the CAP. While you are not entitled to present your case to CAP directly, you can submit written statements and documentary evidence of extenuating circumstances through your academic advisor. All decisions about academic probation and dismissal are made on an individual case-by-case basis.
Joseph D. Lento is familiar with all of MIT's campus judicial processes. Whatever kind of dismissal you're facing, he can help you navigate the process and make the best possible use of rules and procedures.
Appeals Process
In most cases, you have the right to appeal any hearing outcome. However, not every case is subject to appeal.
For example, academic and disciplinary conduct appeals are decided by the Chancellor. They must be filed within five days of being notified of the COD hearing outcome, and groups are strictly limited to
- The discovery of new evidence that might have affected the outcome of the hearing
- Investigation and hearing procedures were not followed correctly
- The hearing outcome does not match the fundamental facts of the case
- The sanction is disproportionate to the nature of the offense
- An administrative official had a substantial conflict of interested
Appeals at MIT do not involve live hearings. Rather, both sides submit written arguments and supporting evidence. Decision-makers determine the outcome based solely on these documents. This is yet another reason why a skilled attorney-advisor can be such an important asset. They'll know exactly how to organize your appeal and what evidence will have the most impact.
Fighting for Your Future
Fighting a dismissal from your university isn't easy by any means. No matter what kind of case you're dealing with, you can expect that procedures will be complicated. Developing your defense will be time-consuming. You'll have to take on the full weight of the faculty and administration. These challenges lead many students to simply give up and accept expulsion.
Your very future is at stake, though. A college degree is a difference-maker when it comes to your professional career, and a degree from MIT is especially valuable. Yes, fighting dismissal may be arduous, but isn't the chance to salvage your reputation and finish your degree worth the extra effort?
Plus, you don't have to take on this fight alone. Joseph D. Lento built his practice helping students just like you handle all types of charges. He's dealt with everything from plagiarism allegations to rape charges. No matter what problem you're facing, Joseph D. Lento is on your side and will do everything in his power to get you the very best possible resolution to your case.
If you or your child is facing dismissal or have already been dismissed, Joseph D. Lento may be able to help. Contact the Lento Law Firm today at 888-555-3686, or use our automated online form.
