If you're facing dismissal from your college or university for any reason, you simply have to fight. For one thing, you have nothing to lose by fighting. Your school can't do anything worse to you than dismiss you. For another, it's not just your enrollment at your school that is in jeopardy. You'll find it difficult, if not impossible, to find another school to accept you once you've been dismissed. For all practical purposes, your academic career could be over, and that could have a serious impact on your entire future.
It's no easy task to take on your school, though. You'll find processes and procedures difficult to navigate; faculty, staff, and administrators tend to close ranks when threatened, and make no mistake—your school will likely discourage you from hiring an attorney, but it certainly retains its own legal counsel.
The fact is, with so much at stake and so much against you, you need the very best professional help you can find. Attorney-advisor Joseph D. Lento and his Education Law Team have a long history of helping students protect their rights and get the justice they deserve. They know the law; they know your school's judicial procedures, and they're ready to help you fight when you need to.
Reasons for Dismissal at the University of San Francisco
Dismissal can be a complex subject. There's not just one reason why the University of San Francisco might dismiss you. There are dozens. Luckily, all of them can be grouped into four basic categories.
- Academic Deficiencies: If you've been at USF for any length of time at all, you know the school takes academics seriously. According to the academic standing policy, you are required to maintain a 2.0 cumulative GPA, earn a 2.0 term GPA each semester, and hold a 2.0 major GPA once you've reached upper-division standing. Fall short of these requirements, and you will find yourself on probation. Continue to struggle, and you can be dismissed.
- Academic Misconduct: Misconduct is also cause for dismissal, including academic misconduct. Basically, you're prohibited from cheating, plagiarizing, or acting in any other way that might give you an unfair advantage in completing your coursework. First-time offenses are often handled with classroom sanctions like lowered grades. Serious and multiple offenses, though, can garner dismissal.
- Disciplinary misconduct: While the academic integrity policy governs your behavior in class, the Student Conduct Code governs your behavior outside of class. You can find yourself in trouble for a wide range of misconduct, from indecent exposure to tampering with fire equipment. Again, any violation can potentially lead to dismissal.
- Sexual misconduct: While it is technically a form of disciplinary misconduct, sexual misconduct is generally treated as its own, separate offense. In part, that's because such offenses are subject to federal law (Title IX) in addition to school policy. In any event, these violations are almost always punished with dismissal.
Defending Yourself From Misconduct Charges
How you defend yourself from misconduct charges will differ depending on the exact nature of the charge. For instance, if you're charged with sexual misconduct, you're entitled to choose an attorney to accompany you to meetings and proceedings. For all other cases, though, lawyers are expressly forbidden from participating in judicial proceedings (though you always have the right to retain legal counsel, and you should always take advantage of that right). Another important difference between cases: Academic misconduct cases can involve two separate adjudication procedures—a meeting with a Conduct Officer and a hearing before the Academic Integrity Committee.
Even so, the broad outlines of judicial procedures are the same, no matter the allegation. Here's what you can expect.
- A case begins with a complaint. The person making the complaint is usually called the “Complainant.” As the accused, you're referred to as the “Respondent.”
- Following a complaint, the appropriate administrative office conducts an investigation. Both sides get the chance, separately, to speak with investigators. In addition, investigators collect any physical evidence and interview potential witnesses.
- Once the investigation is concluded, investigators submit a full written report of their findings. This report becomes the bases of any hearings that follow.
- In all cases, you are entitled to defend yourself formally at a hearing. You have the right to make arguments, to submit evidence, and to call witnesses. In addition, you have the right to cross-examine witnesses against you.
- At the conclusion of the hearing, decision-makers deliberate as to your level of Responsibility. Unlike in an actual court of law, they don't have to be convinced “beyond a reasonable doubt.” As long as they believe you “more likely than not” committed the offense, they are required to find you Responsible.
- You have the right to appeal the decision makers' findings, but an appeal is not merely an objection to the outcome. You must have specific grounds for your appeal, such as a procedural error or new evidence.
No matter what charge you're facing, Joseph D. Lento and the Lento Law Firm Team are well-versed in how the USF judicial system operates. They can help you prepare a strong defense, work with you to prepare, and monitor what happens to make sure your rights are protected.
Again, even if USF should tell you attorneys are barred from participating in the proceedings, you always have the right to counsel, and Joseph D. Lento and the Lento Law Firm Team can be crucial in putting together a competent strategy.
Academic Dismissal Cases
Unfortunately, academic dismissal cases aren't subject to any sort of formal process. If your GPA should fall too low, USF considers that to be your problem and yours alone. In fact, there's only a token process for appealing a dismissal decision.
Joseph D. Lento and his Education Law Team are always on your side, though, and they know many ways of handling the threat of academic dismissal. For instance,
- If you have a disability, you may be entitled to classroom modifications. If an instructor denies you those modifications, you can file a grievance asking the grade you received to be set aside.
- Some faculty are open to negotiation. You may have failed a course, for instance, but done well enough on the final exam to argue that you mastered the course material.
- If your low grades are the result of extenuating circumstances—a family emergency, for instance, or a serious illness—you may be able to convince your school or college dean to allow you more time to improve.
Ultimately, you can trust Joseph D. Lento and his Education Law Team to identify the very best option in your case, to help you come up with a workable plan, and to put that plan 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 Joseph D. Lento Law Firm Team 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 Education Law Team can do for you, contact the Lento Law Firm today at 888-555-3686, or use our automated online form.
