Anyone who thinks college is easy hasn't been to college. It's hard enough just getting in; making it to graduation requires four years of hard work, discipline, and perseverance. It isn't just that you have to keep your grades up. You also have to hold to the highest standards of personal behavior. In fact, UMass, Boston dismisses dozens of students every year for reasons that have absolutely nothing to do with grade points, like theft and trespassing.
How do you avoid becoming one of them? First, you make sure you know exactly what can get you dismissed. That way, you know what to avoid. Then, you find out how the judicial processes work at UMass. You can sometimes find yourself in trouble despite your best efforts, and when that happens, you need to know exactly how to go about defending yourself. Last but certainly not least, you need to know how to get help if you need it. Joseph D. Lento and his Student Defense Team have helped hundreds of students just like you get the justice they deserve. They know how the law, they know how the system works, and they're committed to your success.
It's never easy to take on your university, and you don't want to do it alone. Luckily, Joseph D. Lento and his Team are on your side, so you don't have to.
Reasons for Dismissal at the UMass, Boston
Let's start by identifying exactly what can get you dismissed at UMass, Boston. It turns out that's a very long list. However, most policy violations can be grouped into four categories.
- Academic Misconduct: First up is academic misconduct. The UMass academic honesty policy prohibits all forms of cheating and plagiarism, as well as anything else that might give you an unfair advantage in completing your coursework. Minor offenses are usually handled with academic sanctions—a lowered grade on an assignment, perhaps, or a lowered grade in the course. Repeat offenses, though, and especially egregious violations are subject to dismissal.
- Disciplinary Misconduct: The academic honesty policy is part of a larger document, the Student Code of Conduct. In addition to rules about classroom behavior, the Code contains general rules governing conduct anywhere on campus. For instance, it bars underage drinking, misuse of computer resources, and weapons possession. Any violation can result in dismissal.
- Sexual Misconduct: These offenses almost always result in dismissal. In part, this is because they are subject to federal law under Title IX of the 1972 Education Amendments.
- Academic Performance: Finally, you can also be dismissed for failing to meet academic standards at UMass. The school's standing policy requires students maintain a minimum 2.0 cumulative grade point average. If you fail to meet that standard, you are placed on probation. If you continue to struggle while on probation, you can be dismissed.
Defending Yourself From Misconduct Charges
You have the right to defend yourself from all types of misconduct charges at UMass, Boston. How you go about doing that will differ depending on the specific nature of the charges. For instance, academic misconduct allegations are handled by the Vice President for Academic Affairs, disciplinary misconduct allegations are handled by the Dean of Students, and sexual misconduct allegations are handled by the school's designated Title IX Coordinator.
For the most part, though, the process works the same in all cases.
- Cases begin with a complaint to the appropriate administrative official. As the accused, you are referred to as the “Respondent.” If there is an injured party, they become the “Complainant,” but the school can also serve as the Complainant.
- Throughout the process, you have the right to select an advisor, someone to help you prepare your case and to accompany you to meetings and proceedings. This advisor can be an attorney.
- The school conducts some form of investigation. Sometimes, as in most academic misconduct cases, an investigation can be simple. The Investigator may do no more than gather documentary evidence and talk with both sides. Other cases can be more complex, involving physical evidence and witness testimony.
- Once the investigation is complete, the Investigator must submit a written report of their findings. In some cases, this report is an unbiased summary; in others, it draws a conclusion as to the Respondent's level of responsibility. In any case, this report becomes an important component of the next stage in the case—a hearing.
- At the hearing, you are allowed to make arguments, present evidence, and call witnesses. You can also ask questions of any witnesses who testify against you.
- At the conclusion of the hearing, one or more decision-makers determine your level of Responsibility, if any. To do this, they use a legal standard known as “preponderance of the evidence.” This standard requires them to find you Responsible if they believe it is “more likely than not” that you committed an offense.
- You can appeal the hearing outcome, but not simply because you disagree with that outcome. Rather, grounds for appeal are limited to procedural errors, the discovery of new evidence, or—in Title IX cases—an allegation of bias against an official.
There are some minor differences in how different types of cases proceed. For instance, in academic and disciplinary misconduct cases, only decision-makers may ask questions of witnesses (though you have the right to submit questions to the decision-makers). In sexual misconduct cases, advisors question witnesses. It's also worth noting that in disciplinary misconduct cases, a Conduct Officer renders the decision on the responsibility without a hearing. However, this decision is then subject to a hearing if the Officer recommends dismissal.
Whatever the charges, Joseph D. Lento and his Education Law Team know all the rules and procedures and can help guide you through the process from start to finish.
Academic Dismissal Cases
Academic dismissal cases are significantly different from misconduct cases. This is because dismissal decisions are usually based on objective facts, facts that aren't ordinarily open to debate. As a result, UMass, Boston doesn't have any formal procedures for appealing a dismissal decision. You can apply for reinstatement after the fact. However, if you want to prevent dismissal, you have to resort to informal means.
The good news is that you have a number of options. You can, for instance, try negotiating directly with instructors for better grades. If you have a disability, you may be able to file for some form of grade relief. If your deficiencies are the result of extenuating circumstances, you can try appealing to your school or college dean for more time to improve.
As with misconduct issues, Joseph D. Lento and his Team know all the various ways in which to respond to academic dismissal. They know the UMass system, who to talk to, and what kinds of arguments tend to be the most effective. They can make sure you're treated fairly and that you get the best possible resolution to your case.
Fighting for Your Future
By this point, you should 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 Joseph D. 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.
