If you've been charged with an offense at the University of Central Oklahoma (UCO), and someone has mentioned the possibility of dismissal to you, the very first thing you need to know is that the situation is serious. You can't just transfer your way out of a dismissal. If you're found Responsible for (guilty of) a serious offense, your transcript will carry a record of it. You'll find it difficult, if not impossible, to find another school to accept you after that.
The second thing you need to know is that you can and should fight dismissal. In fact, UCO actually gives you some powerful tools to help you do that.
The third thing to know, though, is that it's not always easy to use these tools effectively. If you want to hold on to your future, you're going to need help, the best help you can find. You're going to need an attorney from the Lento Law Firm's Student Defense Team.
Our lawyers are dedicated to the proposition that all students deserve fair treatment from their schools. We know the law, we know how UCO's administrative and judicial systems work, and we're committed to helping you get the very best possible resolution to your case.
What can we do for you? Call 888-535-3686 to find out, or take a few minutes right now and fill out our online form.
Reasons for Dismissal from the University of Central Oklahoma
If you haven't yet been accused of an offense at UCO, it's always a good idea to know just what it is that can get you dismissed. If you have been accused of an offense, you need to know exactly what it is you've been accused of doing. You can't help to protect yourself otherwise.
- Academic Deficiencies: Your number one job at UCO is to be a student. To make sure you do that job, the university maintains an academic standing policy. That policy requires you to maintain a minimum 2.0 GPA. Anything below that number, and you're placed on probation. Continue to struggle, and you can be suspended or even dismissed entirely.
- Academic Misconduct: You're also subject to UCO's academic integrity policy. This policy outlaws all forms of academic dishonesty, including cheating, plagiarism, and anything else that could potentially give you an unfair advantage in the classroom. First offenses usually garner classroom sanctions like lowered grades. Multiple offenses, though, are often punished with dismissal.
- Disciplinary Misconduct: Outside the classroom, your behavior is governed by the university's Student Rights and Responsibilities Code. Here, you'll find rules against things like theft, vandalism, violence, and general disorderly conduct. In this case, any offense can lead to dismissal if it is serious enough.
- Sexual Misconduct: Finally, like all colleges and universities, UCO is required by federal law (Title IX) to maintain a sexual misconduct policy. These are among the most serious offenses with which you can be charged, and a Responsible (guilty) finding almost always means dismissal.
Misconduct Defenses
The good news, even if you've been charged with one of these offenses, is that UCO can't simply dismiss you. You are Not Responsible (innocent) until proven Responsible (guilty), and that means the university must conduct an investigation and hold a hearing. Along the way, you have some important due process rights.
Here's what you can expect from the process.
- Cases almost always begin with a complaint. In most cases, these complaints are lodged with the Office of Student Accountability and Conflict Resolution. The exception is Title IX allegations, which are filed with the school's designated Title IX Coordinator.
- If the university decides to pursue a case against you, it will provide you with a Notice of the Charges. This notice should include an explanation of the charges and a list of all your several rights as the accused.
- Next, you'll be subject to an investigation. This is your first chance to give your side of the story. Of course, investigators will also talk to your accuser (the "Complainant) and any witnesses. In addition, they will gather any physical evidence.
- Investigators compile their findings into a report. You have the right to review this document and, in some cases, to raise questions about what's in it. It then becomes the foundation for the next phase of the case, the hearing.
- You'll present your case before one or more specially appointed decision-makers. You may introduce your own evidence and call witnesses to testify. You may also raise questions for anyone testifying against you.
- The standard of guilt at UCO is "preponderance of the evidence." Less strict than "beyond a reasonable doubt," this standard says you are Responsible if it seems "more likely than not" that you committed the offense.
- You have yet one more right—the right to appeal the hearing outcome. You cannot simply appeal, though, because you disagree with that outcome. You must have grounds for your appeal, like an error in procedures, the discovery of new evidence, or an unfair sanction.
This is only a general outline of procedures. In practice, individual cases can be subject to dozens of judicial rules, and the details of a charge can influence how a case unfolds. During Title IX sexual misconduct cases, for instance, both sides are allowed to cross-examine one another. This can be a great benefit to your defense, but it also means carefully preparing to answer the Complainant's questions.
No matter what the specifics of your case, you can count on the Lento Law Firm attorney to understand all the processes and procedures at UCO and to guide you through those processes from start to finish.
Academic Dismissals
You may have noticed we haven't yet mentioned academic dismissals. These are treated quite differently from misconduct dismissals. As a starting point, they are based on your GPA, so there's no need for the university to establish any evidence or to afford you a formal hearing. In fact, there are no formal proceedings for defending yourself at all.
Nevertheless, the Lento Law Firm attorney will know options for helping you deal with this type of threat as well. For instance,
- If you've been dealing with extenuating circumstances—a bout of depression, for example, or a serious illness—you can file an informal appeal with your college dean for more time to improve.
- If you've been struggling in most of your classes, you might consider getting tested for learning disabilities. ADD, ADHD, and other similar conditions can entitle you to course accommodations. You may also ask the university to set aside your low grades and allow you to retake those courses once accommodations are in place.
- You always have the right to fair treatment in the classroom. If you feel an instructor is mistreating you, you should talk to that instructor's department head. You may be entitled to some form of grade relief.
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.
