If you're in trouble at Park University MO and someone has mentioned the possibility of dismissal to you, the very first thing you need to know is that dismissal doesn't just mean dismissal. There's no question that leaving the university will be traumatic—giving up the academic progress you've made and leaving your friends behind. The worst part of dismissal, though, is the notation about your offense that will now appear on your transcript. That will very likely keep you from enrolling anywhere else, and that is a far worse punishment than dismissal itself.
A serious allegation or a low GPA doesn't have to spell the end of your academic career, though. There are always ways to challenge a dismissal threat. The Lento Law Firm's Student Defense Team is here to help you do that. We know Park University MO policies and procedures and how to use the judicial system to your benefit. We're also highly experienced. We've helped hundreds of students protect themselves over the years, and we know exactly what to expect in every situation.
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 Park University MO
If you're going to defend yourself properly, you need to know what you've been charged with doing. This is especially true if you're entirely innocent since you have no context for understanding accusations.
At Park University MO, there are four categories of offense. Any one of these can lead to dismissal.
- Academic Deficiencies: This is not really an "offense" in the strictest sense of that term, but the university does expect you to meet academic standards. According to the academic standing policy, you need to keep your GPA above 2.0. Otherwise, you face probation, suspension, and, eventually, dismissal.
- Academic Misconduct: You are also expected to earn your degree honestly. The very first entry in the university's Student Code of Conduct is a rule barring all forms of cheating and plagiarism. First offenses usually mean classroom sanctions like lowered grades on assignments. Multiple offenses, however, can lead to dismissal.
- Disciplinary Misconduct: The Student Code of Conduct goes on to include numerous non-academic regulations as well, including prohibitions on things like underage drinking, trespassing, and all types of violence. In this case, any violation can lead to dismissal if it is serious enough.
- Sexual Misconduct: Finally, the Code of Conduct also includes a section on sexual misconduct. While technically, this is a form of disciplinary misconduct, it is subject to government regulation under Title IX. As a result, it's treated as a separate offense. In addition, it tends to garner the strongest penalties, including dismissal.
Misconduct Defenses
Under Park University MO policy, you always have the right to defend yourself if you're charged with a misconduct offense. In fact, the university is obligated to treat you as “Not Responsible” (innocent) until proven “Responsible” (guilty). It cannot find you responsible without concrete evidence, and it must give you the opportunity to challenge this evidence.
Here's what you can expect.
- Anyone at the university can accuse you of misconduct. However, the university must decide that the accusations are credible before it proceeds.
- If you are charged with an offense, the university provides you with notice of those charges. This notice should explain the allegations in full and provide a complete list of your due process rights, such as the right to review all evidence in the case and your right to advanced notification of all meetings and other proceedings.
- The Associate Dean of Student Life is responsible for conducting an investigation into the matter. You have the right to give your side of the story and to submit evidence. You can also suggest witnesses you think the Associate Dean should interview.
- Once their investigation is complete, the Associate Dean turns their findings over to the university, which then sets a time and date for a hearing before the Student Conduct Board.
- At the hearing, both sides make their cases using evidence, including witness testimony. In addition, both sides may try to refute evidence, including raising questions for witnesses against them.
- The Board then employs a legal standard known as "preponderance of the evidence." If they think it is "more likely than not" that you committed the offense, this standard requires them to find you responsible (guilty).
- Even after the hearing, the case may not be over. You—and sometimes the complainant (your accuser)—have the right to appeal the hearing outcome. However, appeals are not a chance to reargue the case. They have to do with issues of fairness, such as whether the university committed a procedural error, whether or not new evidence has arisen since the hearing, and whether or not the sanction imposed in the case is commensurate with the offense.
In most cases, Park University MO bars attorneys from attending investigative meetings and hearings. The exception is in Title IX sexual misconduct cases, where the law entitles you to an advisor of your choice.
No matter what the charges, though, the Lento Law Firm attorney can play a crucial role in preparing you to defend yourself, even if they cannot accompany you to official proceedings. They can help you uncover evidence, for instance, and coach you on how to answer investigative questions. They can map out your entire defense, from your lines or argument to what questions to ask witnesses. They can draft documents and can even give you practice in presenting your case. Along the way, they'll monitor everything the university does to ensure you're treated fairly.
Dealing With Academic Dismissal
There are ways to handle academic dismissals as well, though most of them are less straightforward. If you've been dealing with extenuating circumstances, for instance, Park University MO has an appeals process that can gain you an additional semester of probation in place of dismissal.
The Lento Law Firm attorney also knows a number of informal strategies for keeping your GPA up so that you never reach the point of dismissal in the first place. For example,
- If your grades are consistently low, you might consider visiting with Disability Services. A condition such as ADD or ADHD can be grounds for classroom accommodations. In addition, you can ask the university to drop low grades from your transcript and allow you to retake courses once accommodations are in place.
- If you feel an instructor is treating you unfairly, you should report this immediately to your instructor's department head. At a minimum, this will lay the groundwork for a formal grade appeal once the semester is over.
- Some faculty are willing to assign makeup and extra credit assignments, especially to students with borderline grades. Often, this is the easiest way to keep your GPA out of the danger zone.
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.
