If you've found your way to this page, it likely means you're in trouble. Someone at Rowan University has mentioned the possibility of dismissal to you, and you want to know if the situation is serious.
It is. Keep in mind: dismissal is bad enough in itself, but it comes with a transcript notation about the nature of your offense. That can keep you from getting into another school. You could be heading out onto the job market with student loans and no degree.
What do you do?
You call the attorneys at the Lento Law Firm. Our Student Defense Team was built to handle dismissal cases. We're committed to getting students the fair treatment they deserve. We know the law, we know how your university operates, and we're prepared to put that knowledge to work for you. No matter what the charges are, we can help. Find out how by calling 888-535-3686, or take a few minutes right now and fill out our online form.
Reasons for Dismissal from Rowan University
Let's start with the basics: just what is it that's bad enough to get you dismissed from Rowan University? It turns out, that's a rather long list. The good news is, almost every item on that list can be put into one of four categories.
- Poor Academic Performance: The rumors are true. You can be dismissed for a low GPA. It doesn't happen all at once, though. Should your GPA fall below 2.0, you're placed on academic notice. You can remain on academic notice until you bring it back up, provided you keep your semester GPA above 2.0. If that should fall, dismissal becomes a distinct possibility.
- Academic Misconduct: Strict GPA standards drive some students to take shortcuts. It turns out, though, that cheating and plagiarism can get you into just as much trouble as low grades. Again, Rowan won't dismiss you for a first offense. According to the Academic Misconduct policy, though, you can certainly be dismissed for repeat offenses.
- Disciplinary Misconduct: Beyond the walls of the classroom, your behavior is governed by Rowan's Student Code of Conduct. The Code concerns more general behaviors, like hazing, underage drinking, and weapons possession. Any violation can result in dismissal, even a first offense, if it is serious enough.
- Sexual Misconduct: Sexually-based offenses almost always result in dismissal. Such offenses aren't just a matter of Rowan University policy. Rowan is subject to Title IX, a federal law. Title IX requires colleges and universities to investigate all credible complaints, and it encourages schools to institute harsh sanctions.
Misconduct Procedures
You're subject to a lot of rules at Rowan University. However, there are also a number of policies designed to protect you should you ever find yourself accused of misconduct. In most cases, you are entitled to an investigation. In all cases, you are entitled to a hearing. You also have a number of important due process rights, such as the right to a presumption of “Not Responsible” (innocence).
- Most cases begin with a complaint lodged either with the Office of Community Standards or—in the case of sexually-based allegations—the Title IX Coordinator.
- The university must provide you with a Notice of the Charges. This notice should include details about the allegation and a list of your due process rights.
- You have the right to an advisor, and this advisor may be an attorney. Your Lento Law Firm attorney is not allowed to speak for you, but they can accompany you to every meeting and hearing to help you answer questions and present your case.
- As part of any investigation, you can expect the university to ask for your side of the story. Of course, they'll also listen to the Complainant (your accuser) if there is one. And they'll talk to witnesses and collect any physical evidence.
- Once their work is complete, investigators submit a written report of their findings. The university then sets a time and date for a hearing and appoints one or more decision-makers to preside over the case.
- At the hearing, you may present your full case. As part of the proceedings, you may submit evidence and call witnesses. Of course, the other side will have the chance to do the same, but you may question their evidence, including asking questions of their witnesses.
- Decision-makers use a legal standard known as “preponderance of the evidence” to determine the ultimate outcome. This standard is far less strict than “beyond a reasonable doubt.” It requires, in fact, that decision-makers find you Responsible (guilty) if they are more than fifty percent convinced you are guilty.
- You can appeal the hearing outcome, but not simply because you disagree with that outcome. You must have “grounds” for appeal. Acceptable grounds at Rowan include
- Procedural irregularities
- New evidence
- Conflict of interest on the part of a decision-maker
- Disproportionate sanction
These procedures can be complicated enough, but you should keep in mind that they can differ in small ways depending on the specific nature of your charges. That's one reason why it's so important you have a Lento Law Firm attorney on your side. We know the difference between a Title IX hearing and an academic misconduct hearing. We know the rules that govern all of Rowan's judicial processes, and we know how to use the process to your very best advantage.
Academic Dismissal Cases
If you're facing dismissal as the result of academic deficiencies, the process is different. In these cases, you're subject to administrative processes rather than judicial processes. In other words, you won't get an investigation or a chance to defend yourself at a hearing.
However, Rowan University does offer an appeals process for students with extenuating circumstances. If you've been ill during the semester, for example, or had to deal with a family emergency, you can ask the university for an additional semester to improve. The attorneys at the Lento Law Firm are well-versed in filing such appeals. We know what makes for the best evidence, and we know how to draft air-tight arguments.
In addition, we know some important strategies for avoiding academic dismissal even if you don't have extenuating circumstances to explain your deficiencies. For instance,
- Your low grades could be the result of an undiagnosed learning disability. You have the right to get tested, the right to accommodations if you need them, and the right to set aside low grades and retake those courses so you have a fair chance at a good grade.
- Some instructors are willing to consider extra credit and make-up assignments, especially if your grade is already borderline. This can be an easy way to raise your grade and, by extension, your GPA.
- You should never suffer mistreatment in the classroom. If you feel an instructor is treating you unfairly, you should bring that to the immediate attention of your instructor's department head.
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.
