If you've been threatened with dismissal from the University of Cincinnati, it's important that you take the situation seriously and that you act quickly. It's no exaggeration to say that your very future is at stake. Dismissal doesn't just mean you have to leave UC. It includes a transcript notation about the nature of your dismissal. That could very well prevent you from transferring to another college or university.
What does taking it seriously mean? It means finding out exactly what you've been charged with. It means learning about the University of Cincinnati's various judicial procedures and how to go about defending yourself. Most importantly, it means getting help. If it has initiated dismissal proceedings against you, your school is no longer on your side. You need someone who is. Joseph D. Lento and his Education Law Team know your rights. They also know how the University of Cincinnati operates. Most importantly, they believe in your future, and they're ready to do anything they can to protect it.
Reasons for Dismissal at the University of Cincinnati
It turns out there are dozens of reasons the University of Cincinnati might decide to dismiss you, everything from a low GPA to plagiarism to stalking. However, all of these various offenses can be grouped into four categories.
· Academic Misconduct: First, you're held to high standards of classroom behavior. Cheating, plagiarism, and any other action that might give you an unfair advantage in earning your degree, are all expressly forbidden by the school's Academic Misconduct policy. First-time violations are typically punished with lower assignment grades or lower course grades. Second offenses, though, can garner dismissal.
- Disciplinary Misconduct: Outside the classroom, your behavior is governed by UC's Student Code of Conduct. Violations of this code include things like hazing, drug possession, trespassing, and physical assault. Breaking any of these rules can potentially be grounds for dismissal.
- Sexual Misconduct: Sexually-based offenses are almost always punished with dismissal. Sexual misconduct is actually prohibited on college campuses by federal law (Title IX), and UC is obligated by law to investigate all credible allegations.
- Academic Deficiencies: Finally, as you might expect, UC will also dismiss you for failing to perform academically. The Academic Standing policy sets clear standards for progress, and when you can't meet those standards, you can wind up on probation, suspended, and, ultimately, dismissed.
Defending Yourself From Misconduct Charges
You always have the right to challenge misconduct charges at the University of Cincinnati, whether those charges relate to academic, disciplinary, or sexual misconduct. Generally speaking, the process is the same regardless of the offense.
- Someone lodges a complaint against you. This could be an instructor, a school official, or a student.
- If the school opens a formal investigation, it must provide you with Notice of the Charges. This document should explain the allegation in detail. In addition, it should outline your due process rights.
- As part of the investigation, investigators should conduct separate interviews with both you and the Complainant (your accuser). In addition, they collect any physical evidence and identify witnesses.
- If you are facing dismissal, you also have the right to make your case at a full hearing. Investigative findings serve as the foundation for this hearing. However, you may offer additional evidence and call witnesses to testify on your behalf. You may also raise questions for witnesses against you.
- Your case is heard by one or more decision-makers. At the conclusion of the hearing, they must determine whether or not they believe you are responsible for an offense. To do this, they employ a legal standard known as “preponderance of the evidence.” In simple terms, they must find you Responsible if they believe it is “more likely than not” that you committed a policy violation.
- You have the right to appeal the hearing outcome if you are found Responsible. However, you may only appeal in the case of new evidence, a procedural error, or a sanction that is disproportionate to the offense.
While this general outline applies to all misconduct investigations and hearings at UC, there are some minor variations in how your case may proceed based on the specific nature of the allegation. For instance, in sexual misconduct cases—and only sexual misconduct cases—you have the right to cross-examine the Complainant in addition to any witnesses against you.
Joseph D. Lento and his Education Law Team are experienced with all judicial procedures at the University of Cincinnati. That means no matter what specific charge you may be facing, they can help you navigate the system.
Academic Dismissal Cases
Academic dismissals work somewhat differently than misconduct dismissals at UC. There are no investigations and no hearings. When you're GPA falls, you're automatically placed on probation, and if it continues to fall, you're automatically suspended or dismissed.
Luckily, there are ways to deal with the threat of dismissal in these cases, though they are less formal than preparing a full hearing defense. For instance,
- Classroom mistreatment of any kind is grounds for a grade appeal. You should report such mistreatment to your instructor's department head.
- If you consistently struggle with your grades, you might consider visiting Disability Services. You could have an undiagnosed learning disability. Such a disability could entitle you to course accommodations like a note-taker or extra time to complete assignments.
- Some faculty are willing to assign extra credit and makeup work. You might have to take an Incomplete while you finish this work, but an Incomplete doesn't lower your GPA the way a D or F does.
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. Plus, it's no exaggeration to say that your entire future is on the line. You're facing dismissal, and you know what happens to people who go into the workforce with no college degree.
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.
