There's no getting around it: college is hard. Getting into Rensselaer Polytechnic is a genuine accomplishment, but it doesn't guarantee you'll graduate. Classes are tough, professors demanding, and that's just the academic side of things. You're also held to high standards of professional and personal behavior. It should come as no surprise, then, that RPI dismisses dozens of students every semester.
Here's another fact you can't get around: if you happen to be facing dismissal, you're going to need help defending yourself. Rensselaer doesn't make it easy to challenge its decisions. Its processes and procedures are complex and difficult to navigate, and the system gives you only limited rights. With your very future on the line, you want someone in your corner who understands that system and who will fight to make sure you're treated fairly.
In what follows, you'll learn all the reasons why RPI might dismiss you. You'll also get a basic outline of the different methods for challenging dismissal. More important than any of this, though, you'll find out how to get help by contacting National Student Defense attorney-advisor Joseph D. Lento. Fighting dismissal is serious business, and you're going to need the help of a professional like Joseph D. Lento to do it.
Reasons for Dismissal at Rensselaer
There are a whole host of reasons why Rensselaer might dismiss you. The school even has a rule against hiring “exotic dancers.” In fact, there are too many reasons to possibly list them all here. For the sake of convenience, though, they can be grouped into four categories. The first three of these have to do with your behavior both in and out of the classroom. The fourth has to do with academic achievement.
- Academic Misconduct: RPI takes academic integrity seriously. The school expects you to earn your degree honestly, and that means avoiding anything that could potentially give you an unfair disadvantage in completing your coursework. The Handbook of Student Rights and Responsibilities, which governs all forms of misconduct, lists eight separate types of violations, including plagiarism, cribbing, and sabotage. Multiple or particularly egregious violations are often punished with suspension or dismissal.
- Disciplinary Misconduct: RPI also pays close attention to your behavior outside the classroom. Again, there is a long list of rules in the Handbook that includes everything from disorderly conduct to property damage. Any violation can potentially lead to dismissal, but some—like hazing, assault, and weapons possession—almost always do. You should also know that violations of the law can get you dismissed, even if they happen off-campus.
- Sexual Misconduct: This form of misconduct also almost always results in dismissal. Sexual misconduct is technically a form of disciplinary misconduct, but it is subject to federal law under Title IX, with its own set of investigative procedures, so it is typically treated as a separate type of offense.
- Academic Performance: Finally, you can also be dismissed from RPI for academic deficiencies. The school requires you to earn a 1.5 GPA each term and to keep an even higher cumulative GPA based on your class standing. Failure to meet these standards means probation, and failure to meet them while on probation can result in dismissal.
Adjudication Processes for Academic and Disciplinary Misconduct
Your rights under RPI's misconduct policies are severely limited, especially when it comes to academic and disciplinary cases. You don't have the right to a hearing in these cases, for instance, and you don't have the right to bring an attorney with you. Here's a basic outline of how the process works.
- Complaints are lodged with the Dean of Students Office.
- This office then conducts a “judicial inquiry” overseen by a “Hearing Officer.” However, an inquiry does not involve an actual hearing as such. Instead, the Hearing Officer interviews you and anyone else who might be related to the case. If necessary, they may also collect any physical evidence.
- At the conclusion of the inquiry, the Hearing Officer determines whether or not you are responsible for a violation and, if necessary, assigns a sanction.
- You then have the option of appealing these decisions to a Hearing Board. However, grounds for appeal are strictly limited to a procedural error, new evidence, or a disproportionate sanction. Appeals must be filed within three days of learning the inquiry outcome. And, despite the use of the word “hearing,” these boards do not actually conduct hearings. Instead, they meet in closed-door sessions to review the record of the inquiry.
Adjudication Processes for Sexual Misconduct Cases
Again, while sexual misconduct is technically a form of disciplinary misconduct, it is treated differently than other types of misconduct cases. Specifically, procedures are mandated by federal law. The good news is that these procedures afford you more rights than you receive in other kinds of cases.
- Cases are handled not by the Dean of Students Office but by RPI's designated Title IX Coordinator.
- The Coordinator appoints a specially trained Investigator to conduct a thorough investigation into all aspects of the case.
- Throughout the process, you have the right to an advisor, and this advisor can be an attorney.
- At the conclusion of the investigation, the Investigator submits a written summary of their findings, but this document must be unbiased, and you have the right to question anything in it.
- The Coordinator then sets a time and date for a formal hearing and appoints one or more decision makers to preside over this hearing.
- At the hearing, you have a full opportunity to defend yourself. You may present evidence and call witnesses. You may also—through an advisor—cross-examine the Complainant (your accuser) and any other witnesses against you.
- Once the hearing has concluded, decision-makers determine whether or not you are responsible for a violation and what sanction, if any, is appropriate.
- Finally, you also have the right to appeal the outcome of the hearing. In these cases, you have five days to file an appeal. Again, however, grounds are limited to new evidence, procedural error, bias on the part of a Title IX official, or a disproportionate sanction.
Academic Dismissal Cases
RPI treats dismissals for poor academic performance somewhat differently than other kinds of dismissals. The reason is that such decisions are usually the result of object facts—your term and cumulative GPAs—which aren't open to debate.
Nevertheless, you do have options for challenging dismissal, even in these cases. For example, if your deficiencies were caused by extenuating circumstances, such as a family emergency, you can appeal directly to the school's Committee on Academic Standing. In other cases, you might try negotiating directly with faculty to convince them that your progress deserves a higher grade, for instance, or to assign you extra credit.
Joseph D. Lento knows how to pursue these and many other options. He can help you develop a sound plan for avoiding dismissal in these cases and can help you put that plan into action.
Fighting for Your Future
Rensselaer can be stingy when it comes to due process rights. In most cases, for example, you're not allowed to bring an attorney with you to meetings and proceedings. That doesn't mean you shouldn't consult an attorney. Any time a school is trying to restrict your access to legal counsel, that's when you most need a lawyer to monitor the case and make sure you're being treated fairly.
Joseph D. Lento built his practice helping students just like you handle all types of misconduct charges. He's dealt with everything from plagiarism allegations to rape charges. He knows how to negotiate with faculty and administrators; he knows how to interview witnesses; he knows how to put together a water-tight appeal. Most importantly, 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.
To find out more about what Joseph D. Lento can do for you, contact the Lento Law Firm today at 888-555-3686, or use our automated online form.
