College can be an incredibly rewarding experience, but if you've been at George Mason for more than a minute, you probably already know: it's no walk in the park. How do we know? GMU dismisses dozens of students every year.
How do you make sure you're not one of them?
First, you find out everything you can about the rules. You want to make sure you don't get into trouble, but in addition, knowing what rule you've been accused of breaking is crucial any time you're trying to defend yourself. Second, you need to know how the judicial process at GMU works. What happens when you're accused of misconduct, for instance? Will you have a chance to give your side of the story? Who ultimately decides your fate?
Finally, and most importantly, you want to make sure you have legal representation. Why? Your entire future is on the line, and the rules and procedures you're facing can be tricky to navigate. Attorney-advisor Joseph D. Lento and his Education Law Team have years of experience helping students just like you protect their rights and get the justice they deserve. They know the law; they know how George Mason operates, and they're ready to put that knowledge to work for you.
Reasons for Dismissal at George Mason University
Let's start with the basics: just what can get you dismissed from George Mason University? There are four categories of problems you have to watch out for.
- Academic Failure: Obviously, your first job as a student is to do well academically. The GMU academic standing policy requires you to maintain at least a 2.0 cumulative grade point average. If you can't, the school places you on Academic Probation. Continue to struggle, and you can be suspended and, eventually, dismissed.
- Academic Misconduct: You can also be dismissed for taking shortcuts to earn your degree. Cheating and plagiarism, for example, are expressly forbidden under the school's Honor Code. A first offense doesn't ordinarily garner dismissal. Multiple offenses can, though.
- Disciplinary misconduct: Of course, you're not just a student at George Mason. You're also a member of the campus community. That means you're subject to an additional set of rules under the school's Code of Student Conduct. The Code governs everything from alcohol possession to trespassing. Some offenses are obviously more serious than others, but any can potentially get you dismissed from the university.
- Sexual misconduct: This type of offense is technically a form of disciplinary misconduct. However, if you're found responsible, the punishment is almost always dismissal. In addition, sexual misconduct is usually subject to federal law under Title IX. As a result, it's most often treated as a separate category of offense.
Defending Yourself From Misconduct Charges
No matter what kind of misconduct you've been charged with, you have a right to a full investigation and to defend yourself at a hearing. In general, here's how you can expect those processes to work.
- Someone lodges a complaint against you to the appropriate university office. If the school decides to proceed with an investigation, it must provide you with a “Notice of the Charges.”
- Throughout the process, you are entitled to an advisor, someone to help you prepare your case and to accompany you to all meetings and proceedings. This advisor can be an attorney.
- Typically, the first part of an investigation involves separate interviews with both parties. Investigators then move on to collecting any physical evidence and talking with potential witnesses.
- Once their work is complete, investigators submit a written summary of their findings. Once the administrative office receives this document, it sets a time and date for a hearing and selects decision-makers to preside over this hearing.
- The hearing itself offers you the best opportunity to make your full case. You may offer arguments, submit evidence, and suggest witnesses. You also have the right to pose questions for any witnesses against you.
- At the end of the hearing, decision-makers decide whether or not you are Responsible for (guilty of) the offense using a legal standard known as “preponderance of the evidence.” Note that this standard is far weaker than “beyond a reasonable doubt.” Decision makers must only be over fifty percent convinced you committed a violation to find you Responsible.
- You can appeal the hearing outcome, but grounds for appeal are limited to things like new evidence and procedural error. In other words, you cannot simply appeal because you disagree with the outcome.
There are some small but significant differences in how hearings unfold, depending on the particular charges. For instance, disciplinary misconduct cases are heard by a panel made up entirely of students; academic misconduct cases are heard by students and faculty; sexual misconduct cases are heard by a single Hearing Officer appointed by the Title IX Coordinator.
Whatever your specific situation, you can trust Joseph D. Lento and his Education Law Team to know all of George Mason University's judicial rules and procedures and to guide you toward the best possible resolution.
Academic Dismissal Cases
Dismissals for academic deficiencies are treated somewhat differently than misconduct dismissals. Typically, there aren't a lot of arguments to make or evidence to discuss. In most cases, there's no need for witnesses. Decisions are based on your grade point averages, and those are a matter of fact.
However, each dean of every school and college at the university offers an appeals process. If your deficiencies are the result of extenuating circumstances, such as a family emergency or a long-term illness, you can ask for additional time to improve in order to avoid dismissal.
In addition, Joseph D. Lento and his Team know a number of less formal ways to forestall dismissal. For instance,
- Some faculty are open to grade negotiation. Of course, you'll need a strong argument as to why you deserve a higher grade.
- If you have a disability, you may be entitled to course accommodations like extra time to complete assignments. If you didn't receive those accommodations, you may be entitled to a higher grade.
- Any type of mistreatment in the classroom is also grounds to file a grade grievance.
Joseph D. Lento and his Team can help you find a solution that's right for your situation, and they'll work with you to implement it.
Fighting for Your Future
By this point, you probably have a clear sense of why you need the help of an attorney-advisor to fight dismissal decisions. Campus judicial procedures can be complex and difficult to navigate, and the full weight of your school will likely be against you.
You need someone watching over your shoulder, making certain you're treated fairly and that you get the justice you deserve.
The Lento Law Firm was built on helping students just like you handle all types of misconduct 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. To find out more about exactly what Joseph D. Lento and his Team can do for you, contact the Lento Law Firm today at 888-555-3686, or use our automated online form.
