You can run into all types of trouble while you're a student, everything from low grades to allegations of stalking. Of course, some problems are more serious than others. How do you know the difference? If anyone has mentioned the possibility of dismissal to you, it's serious.
Dismissal means complete and permanent separation from A&T. It doesn't just mean that, though. It also means that your transcript from A&T will forever bear a record of your offense. Few colleges and universities will accept you if you've already been dismissed somewhere else. In simple terms, dismissal likely means you'll be heading onto the job market—and paying back any student loans—with no degree at all.
Your A&T career doesn't have to end that way, though. You have due process rights—the right to defend yourself, to a presumption of innocence, and to consult with an attorney. Make the most of these rights. Don't trust your case to just anyone. The Lento Law Firm's Student Defense Team has defended hundreds of students just like you from all types of charges. We know what you're up against, and we know how to use the A&T system to your advantage.
What can we do for you? Call 888-535-3686 to find out, or take a few minutes right now and fill out one of our online forms.
Reasons for Dismissal from North Carolina A&T State University
There are basically four categories of offense at A&T. If you're facing dismissal, the accusations against you almost certainly fit into one of these.
- Academic Deficiencies: A&T maintains an academic standing policy that sets the standards you must meet in the classroom. You need to earn at least a 2.0 GPA every term, for example, to remain in good standing. Should yours fall below that number, A&T will place you on academic probation. Continue to struggle, and you can also be suspended and even dismissed.
- Academic Misconduct: There's also an Academic Dishonesty policy. Cheating, plagiarism, unauthorized possession of examination materials, and unauthorized alteration of an instructor's grades are all grounds for sanctions. First offenses usually garner in-class punishments like lowered grades. Second and further offenses, though, are eligible for dismissal.
- Disciplinary Misconduct: You are also subject to a strict Student Code of Conduct. The Code outlaws misconduct such as underage drinking, weapons possession, and drug usage—non-academic misconduct. In this case, any offense can result in dismissal if it is serious enough.
- Sexual Misconduct: Federal law—Title IX—requires all colleges and universities to maintain a sexual misconduct policy. A&T must investigate all credible allegations, and the government encourages harsh sanctions.
Misconduct Defenses
If you've been accused of some form of misconduct—academic, disciplinary, or sexual—there are clearly defined processes and procedures in place that allow you to defend yourself.
Here's what you can expect.
- Cases begin when someone lodges a complaint against you. They're referred to as the Complainant. As the accused, you're referred to as the Respondent. The investigation and hearing are designed to determine your level of Responsibility.
- You'll know you have been charged because the university must issue you notice of all charges. This notice must describe the allegations, and it must contain a list of all your due process rights under university policy.
- The first phase of the case is an investigation. Typically, investigators ask to meet separately with both Complainants and Respondents. One of your most important due process rights is the right to an advisor and to choose an attorney to serve in this role. This means that your Lento Law Firm attorney can accompany you to any interviews and help you answer questions.
- Investigators submit a written report summarizing their findings. This report serves as the foundation for the next phase of the case—a hearing. Keep in mind that you have a right to review all evidence in the case.
- Depending on the nature of the charges, A&T appoints one or more decision-makers to preside over the hearings. You'll make your case to them. You may introduce physical evidence, and you may call witnesses to testify. You also have the right to raise questions for anyone testifying against you.
- At the conclusion of the hearing, decision-makers employ a legal standard known as “preponderance of the evidence” to decide whether or not you are Responsible for the offense. According to this standard, you are guilty if they believe it is “more likely than not” that you committed the offense.
- Your case isn't necessarily over after the hearing. You can appeal a Responsible finding and potentially gain a new hearing. However, you must be able to show that A&T violated its own procedures in some substantive way.
Cases all follow this general outline, but they can differ substantially in how they unfold depending on the nature of the charges. For example, if you've been charged with Title IX sexual misconduct, you are entitled to the same accommodations the university offers to the Complainant.
It's crucial you have an attorney on your side who knows the A&T system, someone who can show you how to use that system to your advantage. The Lento Law Firm is always on your side. We'll make sure you're treated fairly and that you get the best possible resolution to your case.
Dealing With Academic Dismissal
Academic dismissals work a bit differently from misconduct dismissals. For starters, they're based exclusively on your grade point. In addition, you can't be dismissed for one low grade. A&T gives you a number of opportunities to improve if you're struggling academically.
That said, it can be useful to know some strategies for keeping your GPA out of the danger zone. Your Lento Law Firm can offer a number of suggestions. For example,
- If you've been dealing with extenuating circumstances, you can appeal academic suspension or dismissal. A long-term illness or a personal crisis can be grounds for more time to improve.
- You always have the option of filing a grade appeal at the end of a semester if you don't feel you've been given the scores that you deserve.
- You also have the right to ask any instructor for extra credit or makeup assignments. They can, of course, say no, but there is no penalty for asking.
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.
