There's very little that will be more important to you in life than your education. Your college diploma is the key to a good job, a successful career, and a fulfilled life. Any time your education is under threat, it's a big deal, and you must respond appropriately.
If you're in trouble at the University of South Alabama and someone has mentioned the possibility of dismissal to you, you absolutely have to take it seriously. That means making sure you have the very best help you can possibly get.
No one in the country knows more about defending students than the attorneys at the Lento Law Firm. Our Student Defense Team has a stellar track record of helping students just like you get fair treatment from their colleges and universities. We know what the law says about higher education and what rights it grants to students. We also know the University of South Alabama's policies and procedures and how to use them to get you a just outcome.
What can we do for you? Call 888-535-3686 to find out, or take a few minutes right now and fill out one of our online forms.
Reasons for Dismissal from the University of South Alabama
Let's start with the basics. Just what is it that can get you dismissed from the USA? It turns out that's a pretty long list. You can master it, though, by remembering that every rule and regulation at the university fits into one of four simple categories.
- Academic Deficiencies: First, you can be dismissed for struggling academically. Don't worry—you're not going to need to transfer just because you failed one exam or made a couple of D's. Should your GPA fall a bit, you'll most likely find yourself on academic probation. However, if you can't bring your grades up while you're on probation, expulsion can become an option.
- Academic Misconduct: This has to do with how you complete your coursework. The Student Academic Conduct Policy forbids things like cheating, plagiarism, and misrepresentation. Here again, a single offense won't tank your career in the USA. Multiple offenses can, though.
- Disciplinary Misconduct: Outside the classroom, your behavior is governed by the USA's Code of Student Conduct. Here, you'll find strictures against things like underage drinking, violence, and theft. Any violation can lead to dismissal if it is serious enough. Some offenses, such as weapons possession and drug usage, almost always result in dismissal.
- Sexual Misconduct: When it comes to these offenses, Responsible findings most often result in dismissal. Sexual misconduct is considered among the most serious offenses any college student can commit, so serious that it is prohibited under Title IX, a federal law.
Misconduct Defenses
If you've been accused of some form of misconduct at South Alabama, it's important you know that you are "Not Responsible" (innocent) until proven "Responsible" (guilty). The university must conduct an investigation, and it must give you the opportunity to defend yourself at a hearing. In addition, you have several important due process rights.
- Anyone in the USA can accuse you of an offense—another student, an instructor, administrators, and staff—but the university must decide the allegations are credible and actionable before charging you.
- If you've been charged, the USA must issue you a Notice of the Charges. This notice should identify your accuser (the “Complainant”) and detail the allegations. It should also contain a complete list of your rights.
- The first phase of the case is an investigation. You have the right to give investigators your side of the story, to provide them with evidence, and to suggest witnesses.
- Investigators are tasked with gathering evidence and submitting a full report of their findings back to the university. You should have an opportunity to review all of this evidence, and in some cases, you may be able to object to elements of the report that you disagree with.
- The second phase of the case is a hearing. This is your chance to present your full defense. You may introduce evidence, and you may call witnesses to testify. In addition, you may raise questions for any witnesses testifying against you.
- Trained, unbiased decision-makers to preside over the hearing. Once both sides have had a chance to make their cases, these decision-makers deliberate as to your level of Responsibility. While they don't have to find you guilty "beyond a reasonable doubt," they do have to be more than fifty percent convinced you committed the offense before finding you Responsible.
- Even if you are found Responsible, you still have the right to appeal that finding. However, you will need grounds for your appeal. In the USA, grounds are limited to procedural errors, new evidence, or a disproportionate sanction.
In most cases, South Alabama does not allow an attorney to accompany you to investigative meetings and hearings. Make no mistake, though—you always have the right to consult someone from the Lento Law Firm.
The Lento Law Firm attorney can provide you with crucial services as you are mounting your defense. They can help you develop arguments, work with you to uncover evidence, coach you in responding to investigators' questions, and prepare you to present your case. They can do all of this without stepping one foot on the USA campus.
Dealing With Academic Dismissal
Responding to the threat of academic dismissal is usually less straightforward than responding to a misconduct allegation. These dismissals are based on GPA, and that usually isn't a matter of debate. Nevertheless, the Lento Law Firm attorney knows a number of valuable strategies for protecting you. For example,
- If you've been dealing with any unusual circumstances, such as a long-term illness or a family emergency, you can use these to ask for more time to improve.
- If you consistently struggle to pass courses, you should get tested for possible learning disabilities. The Lento Law Firm attorney can make sure you're properly tested, and if it turns out you do have such a disability, you can petition the university to drop low grades from your GPA. Once proper accommodations are in place, you can retake those courses for replacement credit.
- You also have the option of asking instructors for extra credit or makeup work. If they're willing to do such assignments, this can be a fast, easy way to increase your GPA.
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.
