Graduating from college isn't easy. Need proof? Every semester, the University of Oklahoma dismisses dozens of students for everything from plagiarism, to misuse of computer resources, to tampering with fire equipment.
If you've been accused, it's important you find out everything you can about your situation. Start with the allegation itself. You can't hope to defend yourself unless you fully understand the charges against you. Likewise, you should be familiar with the school's judicial procedures, so you'll know exactly what to expect throughout the process.
Most importantly, though, you need to know how to get help. You can and should fight any attempt to dismiss you. Taking on your school is never easy, though. Your best chance is to make sure you have seasoned legal representation on your side. You want attorney-advisor Joseph D. Lento and his Education Law Team. They know the law, and they know how the University of Oklahoma works. Whatever type of allegation you're facing, they're ready to stand beside you and protect your rights.
Reasons for Dismissal at the University of Oklahoma
There are far too many rules at the University of Oklahoma to list them all, or even just the ones that can get you dismissed. For the most part, though, they can be grouped into four basic categories. Your charge likely fits into one of these.
- Academic Misconduct: The University of Oklahoma maintains a strict academic integrity policy. That policy notes in broad terms that all work “should result from the student's own understanding and effort.” As you might imagine, that bars all types of cheating, plagiarism, and misrepresentation. Ordinary infractions usually result in classroom sanctions like lowered grades. Major and repeat offenses, though, can garner dismissal.
- Disciplinary misconduct: It's not just your classroom behavior that can get you into trouble. The school also has a lengthy Student Code of Conduct designed to regulate all your campus activities. Any violation can potentially get you dismissed. Some, though, like hazing and drug possession, almost always result in dismissal.
- Sexual misconduct: This is yet another kind of misconduct that almost always results in dismissal. In fact, sexual misconduct isn't just a matter of school policy. It's subject to regulation under Title IX, a federal law.
- Academic Failure: Finally, you should know that you can also be dismissed for failing to meet the University of Oklahoma's academic standards. You're expected to keep a minimum 2.0 cumulative grade point average. Otherwise, you are subject to probation, suspension, and, ultimately, dismissal.
Defending Yourself from Misconduct Charges
If you're facing any type of misconduct allegation—academic, disciplinary, or sexual—you have the right to defend yourself. The school must conduct a thorough investigation, and it must allow you a formal hearing. While different administrative offices handle different types of allegations, the basic outline of the process is usually the same.
- Someone makes an accusation against you. Typically, they're referred to as the “Complainant.” As the accused, you are referred to as the “Respondent.”
- You have several important due process rights throughout the investigation and hearing. Perhaps the most important of these is the right to an advisor. This advisor can be an attorney. Though they cannot speak for you during meetings and proceedings, an attorney from the Lento Law Firm can stand beside you and guide you through the entire process.
- The school then conducts an investigation. Investigators interview both sides in the case separately. They also collect any physical evidence and talk with potential witnesses. All of this material is then compiled into an Investigative Report, which serves as an important element of the hearing that follows.
- The hearing is your formal chance to make your full case. You are allowed to introduce arguments, submit evidence, and call witnesses to testify on your behalf. You may also cross-examine any witnesses against you. As part of the hearing, the hearing panel may also ask questions of any witnesses and of both the Complainant and Respondent.
- At the conclusion of the hearing, the decision-making panel meets to determine whether or not you are Responsible for an offense. They use a legal standard known as “Preponderance of the Evidence.” This standard requires them to find you Responsible if they are more than 50 percent convinced you committed a violation.
- The hearing outcome isn't necessarily the end of your case. You have the right to appeal under certain conditions. These include
- New evidence
- Procedural error
- Bias on the part of a member of the hearing panel
There are some minor differences in how different types of cases proceed. For instance, in sexual misconduct cases, advisors must conduct all cross-examination. No matter what charge you're facing, though, you can count on Joseph D. Lento and his Education Law Team to be familiar with rules and procedures and to know the best possible strategy for helping you get justice.
Academic Dismissal Cases
One type of dismissal isn't handled like the others. In cases of academic deficiency, the University of Oklahoma doesn't offer any formal means of defending yourself. Rather, the school assumes your GPA is a matter of fact and thus not subject to review.
The fact is, a low GPA can be the result of a number of factors, many of which could be out of your control. Luckily, Joseph D. Lento and his team know a number of options for protecting yourself from the threat of dismissal.
- If your deficiencies are the result of extenuating circumstances—a family crisis, for example—you can appeal directly to your college or school dean for more time to improve.
- If you discover you have a learning disability, you may be entitled to retake some courses with classroom accommodations.
- If you're dismissed at the end of the spring semester, you can try taking summer courses at another institution to raise you GPA.
Here again, no matter what the situation, Attorney Joseph D. Lento and his Education Law Team can recommend a solution and help you put it into action.
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 Attorney 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.
