Dismissal is always a scary proposition.
Just because the University of Maine is threatening you with dismissal doesn't mean you'll necessarily be dismissed, though. You have some important rights as a student. The Lento Law Firm's Student Defense Team can show you how to assert those. In addition, we know how the University of Maine's administrative and judicial processes work, and we can walk you through these processes and ensure you're treated fairly. We've helped hundreds of students just like you defend themselves from all types of charges.
First, though, you have to contact us. Call 888-535-3686, or take a few minutes right now and fill out one of our online forms.
Reasons for Dismissal from the University of Maine
As a starting point, the University of Maine can't simply dismiss you without cause. If someone has mentioned the possibility of dismissal to you, it probably means you're either struggling academically, or you've committed some form of misconduct.
- Academic Deficiencies: The university's academic standing policy requires you to maintain a minimum 2.0 cumulative grade point average. You aren't dismissed the moment yours falls below this point, but if you're struggling consistently, dismissal is a possibility.
- Academic Misconduct: In addition to keeping your grades up, you must earn your degree honestly. The Student Academic Integrity policy specifically mentions cheating and plagiarism, but any sort of classroom dishonesty is grounds for a sanction. Normally, first offenses are punished with in-class penalties. Serious and multiple offenses, though, can result in dismissal.
- Disciplinary Misconduct: Your non-academic conduct is under just as much scrutiny as your academic conduct, if not more. The Student Code of Conduct governs things like underage drinking, trespassing, and weapons possession. Even a first offense can bring dismissal if it is serious enough.
- Sexual Misconduct: As required by federal Title IX statutes, the University of Maine must maintain a strict policy against sexual misconduct. In addition, the government encourages schools to impose stiff penalties on those found responsible. Dismissal is the most likely outcome.
Misconduct Defenses
If you've been accused of some type of misconduct—academic, disciplinary, or sexual—you're entitled to something called due process. For instance, the university must treat you as “not responsible” (innocent) until you're proven “responsible” (guilty). Proof requires concrete evidence. You have the right to refute that evidence at a formal hearing.
- Anyone at the university can file a complaint against you. However, the university must decide whether the complaint is credible before it proceeds. Sometimes, it's possible to convince administrators to dismiss complaints before they go further.
- If the university does decide to issue charges, you'll receive formal notice of those charges. This notice should explain the allegations against you and outline all of your due process rights.
- You have the right to an advisor, someone to help you prepare your case. This means a Lento Law Firm attorney can be on hand as soon as you are charged to help you deal with investigative interviews and present your defense at a hearing.
- Investigators usually begin by separately interviewing you and the complainant (your accuser). In addition, they speak with any witnesses and collect physical evidence associated with the case.
- At the conclusion of the investigation, investigators submit a written summary of their findings. At this point, the university sets a time and date for a hearing and appoints one or more decision-makers to preside over this hearing.
- The hearing gives both sides the chance to argue their full cases. You may introduce evidence and call witnesses. You may also raise questions for anyone testifying against you.
- Ultimately, decision-makers employ a legal standard known as "preponderance of the evidence" in deciding the case. This standard is less strict than "beyond a reasonable doubt" and requires only that they believe it is "more likely than not" that you committed the offense.
- You also have the right to appeal a negative hearing outcome. However, appeals are reserved for issues of fairness, such as a procedural error, the discovery of new evidence, or a disproportionate sanction.
Keep in mind that your Lento Law Firm attorney cannot speak for you. You must present your own case. However, they can play a crucial role in preparing you to do that, from working with you to uncover evidence to helping you put together questions for witnesses. They'll use every resource at their disposal to ensure you're treated fairly and that you get the best possible resolution to your case.
Dealing With Academic Dismissal
Academic dismissals work differently from misconduct dismissals. There is no formal process for challenging these dismissals, for example. This means you must look for informal approaches to protecting yourself. Luckily, your Lento Law Firm attorney is well-versed in all of the University of Maine's processes and procedures and can offer suggestions for how you can use these to your benefit. For example,
- While there is no formal appeals process, you can try petitioning your college dean directly, especially if you have extenuating circumstances that have affected your academic progress. A serious illness, for instance, or a family emergency can earn you an additional semester on probation.
- If you consistently struggle to pass your courses, you may have an undiagnosed learning disability. Such a disability could entitle you to special course accommodations and to drop low grades from your GPA.
- You also have the right to fair treatment in every classroom. Any time you feel an instructor is mistreating you, you should report this to your instructor's department head. They may be able to intervene immediately. At a minimum, they can document the situation so you can file a formal grade appeal once the semester is over.
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.
