If you're facing dismissal at National University, you've got a lot of work ahead of you. It's no easy task to take on a university. Judicial procedures can be complicated and difficult to navigate, and you can be sure the faculty and administration will close ranks against you. You do have rights, but it's not always easy to know how to use them effectively.
The good news is that you don't have to go through this process all on your own. The Lento Law Firm is here to help. Our Student Defense Team is the best in the country at protecting student rights. We know how NU operates. We're familiar with rules, regulations, and processes. Most importantly, we're on your side no matter what. We won't let you get bullied, and we'll make sure you get the best possible resolution to your case.
Don't wait, though. NU is already developing a case against you. You need to be preparing your defense. For more information, call 888-535-3686, or take a few minutes right now and fill out an online form.
Reasons for Dismissal from National University
Part of what makes it so difficult to defend yourself from dismissal at National is that there are so many different reasons the university can decide to dismiss you. You have to know exactly what you've been accused of doing if you're going to prepare a strong defense.
We can simplify things for you, though: there are really only four categories of offense that can lead to dismissal.
- Academic Misconduct: First up, you need to know that NU maintains a strict academic integrity policy. Cheating and plagiarism are specifically mentioned, but the policy is careful to note that misconduct is "not limited" to these offenses. Any type of classroom dishonesty can get you into trouble, including turning in the same work to multiple classes, falsifying lab work, and inventing sources. First offenses usually garner in-course penalties like lowered grades. Get caught more than once, though, and you can definitely face dismissal.
- Disciplinary Misconduct: General campus misconduct can get you dismissed as well. The Student Code of Conduct covers this type of offense and includes prohibitions on everything from destruction of property to disorderly conduct. In these cases, even first offenses can result in dismissal if they are serious enough.
- Sexual Misconduct: These offenses are technically disciplinary misconduct, but they are treated as separate, in part because they are so serious. Not only are they counter to school policy, but under Title IX, they are counter to federal law. Here, dismissal is actually the most likely punishment.
- Academic Deficiencies: You can also wind up dismissed over something far simpler: a low GPA. You don't want to get overly anxious about this possibility. NU won't dismiss you over a single failed class. A GPA below 2.0 means probation, though, and if you continue to struggle while on probation, you can wind up disqualified.
Misconduct Defenses
We said in the beginning that you have rights as a National University student. If you've been accused of some form of misconduct, for instance, you are entitled to an investigation and a hearing. You have the right to a presumption of innocence and to review all evidence in the case. Here's how the process usually unfolds.
- First, someone lodges a complaint against you, either with the Office of Student Conduct (OSC) or the university's designated Title IX Coordinator.
- If the OSC or the Title IX Coordinator determines the complaint has merit, they officially charge you with an offense. They must then issue you a Notice of the Charges. That notice should identify your accuser ("Complainant") and provide details of the allegation. It should also apprise you of all your due process rights.
- One or more investigators then gather evidence in the case. You're offered an opportunity to give your side of the story. They also interview complainants and other witnesses, and they collect any relevant physical evidence.
- Investigators prepare a written summary of their findings. You have the right to review this document and, in some cases, to suggest changes to it.
- The appropriate office then sets a time and date for a hearing. Academic and disciplinary cases are heard by a Conduct Officer (CO). Title IX cases are heard by a specially trained Title IX hearing officer.
- The hearing is your chance to make your complete case. You may introduce evidence, call witnesses to testify, and question any aspect of the university's evidence against you.
- Ultimately, cases are decided using a legal standard known as “preponderance of the evidence.” Significantly less stringent than “beyond a reasonable doubt,” this standard actually requires decision-makers to find you Responsible (guilty) if they are more than fifty percent convinced you committed an offense.
- Finally, you can appeal the hearing outcome, but only under certain very specific conditions. These include the occurrence of a procedural error, the discovery of new evidence, and a disproportionate sanction.
You may or may not have the right to bring an attorney with you to investigative meetings and hearings. You have this right in Title IX cases. NU's policy on academic and disciplinary misconduct procedures makes no mention of this right one way or the other.
Keep in mind, though, that whether or not your Lento Law Firm attorney can sit beside you during your hearing, they can play a vital role in preparing your defense. They'll work with you to develop your strategy, help you to collect and organize evidence, suggest questions for witnesses, coach you in responding to questions, and even give you practice in presenting your case. Plus, they'll monitor every phase of the process and ensure that you're treated fairly. You have options if National University should violate your basic fundamental rights.
Academic Dismissal Cases
Academic dismissal cases can be considerably different from misconduct dismissal cases. Because these dismissals are based on your GPA, there's no need for an investigation or a hearing. There's no evidence to submit, and there are no witnesses to call.
If you're facing this type of dismissal, then, you're going to need to use some less formal methods for defending yourself. Luckily, your Lento Law Firm attorney can help you in these cases as well.
- If your deficiencies are the result of extenuating circumstances, for example—such as a family emergency or a serious illness—you can appeal directly to the dean of your school or college for more time to improve.
- You always have the option of asking instructors for extra credit and makeup work. Not all faculty will assign such work, but if they do, this can be a quick and easy way to pull up course grades and your GPA.
- If you consistently struggle in your courses, you might consider getting tested for a learning disability. You may be entitled to special course accommodations, such as extra time to complete assignments. You may also be able to drop low grades from your GPA and retake courses without penalty.
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.
