College is tough. In fact, lots of students don't make it through to the end. Plenty get dismissed from Portland State every year, and for dozens of reasons—from low GPA, to cheating allegations, to accusations of stalking.
You don't have to be one of them. There are steps you can take to protect yourself and your future.
- First, you make sure you know Portland State's rules. What exactly can get you dismissed, and, more importantly, how do you avoid making mistakes?
- Despite your best efforts, you could still wind up in trouble. So, in addition, you need to have a clear understanding of the PSU judicial system. What happens if you're charged with an offense, and how do you defend yourself?
- Finally, though, you need to know how to get help. Taking on your university is no easy task, and you don't want to try and do it all by yourself.
The Lento Law Firm was founded to help students. We're committed to making sure you're treated fairly and that you get the best possible resolution to your case. We know what you're up against, and we know how to handle it. For more information, call 888-535-3686 or use our automated online form.
Reasons for Dismissal at Portland State
We mentioned it above: there are literally dozens of reasons why Portland State might try to dismiss you, far too many to list them all here. What we can do is give you a list of the four categories most dismissible offenses fall into.
- Academic Misconduct: Lots of students show up at college thinking only grades matter. Turns out, your behavior can be just as crucial in deciding your future at PSU. That starts with your classroom behavior. Portland State has a strict policy against all forms of academic misconduct. That includes cheating, plagiarism, and any other type of dishonesty that might tend to give you an unfair advantage in completing your coursework. First offenses are usually punished with in-class sanctions, like lowered grades. Multiple offenses, though, can definitely get you dismissed.
- Disciplinary Misconduct: Outside of class, your behavior is governed by PSU's Code of Student Conduct and Responsibility. This policy deals with things like underage drinking, hazing, and weapons possession. Even first offenses can result in dismissal if they are serious enough.
- Sexual Misconduct: Technically, sexual misconduct is a form of disciplinary misconduct. However, it is regarded as such a serious offense that it is handled separately. Allegations are usually subject to federal Title IX regulations, and schools are encouraged to punish offenses with severe sanctions, like dismissal.
- Academic Performance: Finally, you're not wrong to be concerned about your grades. You can also find yourself dismissed for a low GPA. PSU's Academic Standing Policy requires you to maintain a minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA and to earn a term GPA of at least 2.25 every term. You won't be dismissed the moment your GPAs fall, but if you struggle consistently, dismissal can eventually become an option.
Misconduct Procedures
If you're facing dismissal for a misconduct charge, you always have the right to defend yourself. Portland State has clear procedures for investigating and adjudicating such charges. Here's how those processes generally work.
- Anyone may make a complaint to either the Senior Conduct Officer or, in the case of Title IX sexual misconduct, the Title IX Coordinator.
- The first thing that happens if you are charged with an offense is the Senior Conduct Officer, or Title IX Coordinator will issue you an official Notice of the Charges. That notice should provide details about the allegations as well as a list of all your due process rights.
- One of your most important rights is the right to an advisor, someone to help you develop your case and to accompany you to meetings and proceedings. This advisor can be an attorney, which means someone from the Lento Law Firm's Student Defense Team can be beside you every step of the way.
- The first part of the case is an investigation. Investigators should give you a chance to give your side of the story. They'll likely talk to the Complainant (the alleged victim) as well. In addition, they gather any physical evidence and solicit witness testimony.
- Ultimately, investigators compile their findings into a written report. Once the school receives this report, it sets a time and date for a hearing and selects one or more decision-makers to preside over this hearing.
- The hearing is your opportunity to present your full case. You may make arguments, submit evidence, and call witnesses to testify. In addition, you may raise questions for any witnesses testifying against you. Of course, the Complainant has these same rights.
- Once the hearing is complete, decision-makers must deliberate as to your level of Responsibility (guilt or innocence). In making this decision, they use a legal standard known as “preponderance of the evidence.” This standard—far weaker than the “beyond a reasonable doubt” standard—requires they find you Responsible if they believe you “more likely than not” committed an offense.
- You also have the right to appeal the hearing outcome, but only under very specific circumstances. These include
- New information has come to light
- The proposed sanction is disproportionate to the offense
- Some errors occurred in the conduct process
While this basic outline holds true for all misconduct cases, procedures can differ in small but important ways depending on the specific nature of the charges. For example, in Title IX cases—and only Title IX cases—advisors must conduct all cross-examination.
Whatever the allegations against you, you can count on the attorneys at the Lento Law Firm to guide you through the entire process. We know how all of Portland State's judicial procedures work, and we can show you how to use them to your best advantage.
Academic Dismissal Cases
Academic dismissal cases are a different animal from misconduct cases. Misconduct cases usually involve allegations in dispute. In contrast, academic dismissal cases are based exclusively on your overall and term GPAs. These are objective facts. There's no need for an investigation or a hearing.
Nevertheless, the attorneys at the Lento Law Firm know some useful approaches for avoiding this type of dismissal as well. For example,
- If your academic deficiencies were caused by extenuating circumstances, such as a hospitalization or a family emergency, you can appeal directly to the dean of your school or college for more time to improve.
- If you believe an instructor has mistreated you, you should bring that to the attention of the instructor's department head immediately. It could be you deserve a higher grade than the one you're getting.
- You can also try negotiating with PSU faculty. For example, if your final exam score was especially high, you might try arguing that it should replace your course grade.
Here again, you can count on the attorneys at the Lento Law Firm to work with you to come up with a plan and to stand beside you while you implement that plan.
Fighting for Your Future
By this point, you should have a clear sense of why you need the help of an attorney 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.
The Lento Law Firm was built to help students just like you handle all types of misconduct charges. The firm's Student Defense Team has 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 the Lento Law Firm can do for you, contact the firm today at 888-535-3686 and find out just what we can do to help. Or, use our automated online form.
