There's not much worse that can happen to you as a college student than to be dismissed. The thing is, if you lose your spot at UT-Chattanooga, it's probably the end of your academic career. Technically, you could transfer to another school, but you'd have to find one willing to admit you with a dismissal on your record. More likely, you'll find yourself out on the job market with no degree at all.
If you're in trouble and someone has mentioned the possibility of dismissal to you, you can't afford to take the threat lightly. There's simply too much at stake. You need to mount the best possible defense you can, and you need someone who knows what they're doing to help you.
The Lento Law Firm's Student Defense Team was founded to protect student rights. We know what you're up against, and we know how to handle it. We're familiar with UT-Chattanooga processes and procedures, and we've helped hundreds of students just like you salvage their academic careers.
What can we do for you? Find out by calling 888-535-3686, or take a few minutes right now and fill out one of our online forms.
Reasons for Dismissal from UT-Chattanooga
There are dozens of different reasons UT-Chattanooga might decide to dismiss you, everything from low GPA to stalking. In fact, we can't possibly list them all here. What we can do, though, is provide you with a list of offense categories. Know these, and you should be able to avoid most kinds of trouble.
- Academic Deficiencies: One low grade won't doom you. According to UT-C's academic standing policy, it takes a GPA below 2.0 to wind up on academic probation. Should you continue to struggle while on probation, though, dismissal is a real possibility.
- Academic Misconduct: You are also subject to UT-Chattanooga's Honor Code. The Code outlaws academic misconduct such as plagiarism and cheating. Again, a single offense probably isn't enough to get you expelled. A second offense might be, though.
- Disciplinary Misconduct: The Student Code of Conduct deals with non-academic offenses--misconduct like weapons possession, hazing, and violence. Even first offenses are sometimes punished with dismissal if they are serious enough.
- Sexual Misconduct: Sexually-based offenses almost always lead to dismissal. UT-C's policy is mandated by federal law under Title IX. The government requires schools to investigate all credible complaints, and it encourages the use of harsh penalties.
Misconduct Defenses
Knowing what offenses to avoid is a good start if you want to stay out of trouble. Every now and then, though, trouble comes looking for you despite your best efforts. Luckily, you have a right to due process, including a presumption of “Not Responsible” (innocence), a thorough investigation, and a formal hearing
- Cases at UT-C begin when someone lodges a complaint with either the Office of Student Conduct (OSC) or, in the case of sexual misconduct, the Title IX Coordinator.
- If UT-C decides formally to charge you with an offense, it will issue you notice of the charges. That notice will explain the allegations and outline all of your due process rights.
- You also have the right to an advisor and to choose an attorney to serve as your advisor. Your Lento Law Firm attorney can't speak for you, but they can help you answer questions and can be on hand during the hearing to offer advice.
- Next, the university conducts an investigation. Even a plagiarism charge requires some evidence. You are entitled to give your side of the story to investigators and to suggest witnesses they might interview as part of their process.
- At the conclusion of the investigation, investigators submit a written report back to the appropriate university office. The university then sets a time and date for a hearing.
- Your hearing may take place before one decision-maker or an entire panel of decision-makers. In either case, those presiding should be trained and free of any bias against you.
- The hearing is your opportunity to make your entire case. You may offer arguments, introduce evidence, and call witnesses to testify. You may also raise questions about any evidence being used against you.
- Ultimately, decision-makers must decide whether there is a “preponderance of evidence” against you. In simple terms, you're guilty if they are more than fifty percent convinced of your guilt. Note that this is a lesser standard than the one you may be used to: “beyond a reasonable doubt.”
- Throughout the process, you have a right to fair treatment. If you feel you've been mistreated in any way, you have the right to appeal your case and ask for a new hearing.
While these procedures apply in all misconduct cases at UT-C, every case is unique based on the nature of the charges. For example, if you've been charged with Title IX sexual misconduct, you may have to prepare to be cross-examined by the Complainant (your accuser) and their advisor.
The only way to guarantee that you're prepared no matter what happens in your case is to hire a Lento Law Firm attorney. We're familiar with all UT-C judicial procedures. We can walk you through those procedures and even show you how to use them to your advantage.
Dealing With Academic Dismissal
Lento Law Firm attorneys can help with academic dismissals, too, but the process is significantly different in these cases. There is no investigation and no need for a hearing. Decisions are based entirely on your GPA.
However, there are some useful strategies for keeping your GPA up if you know how to navigate the system effectively. For instance,
- If you've been dealing with extenuating circumstances—a long-term illness, for example, or a family crisis—you can appeal your dismissal and, if successful, gain an additional semester on probation.
- You have an absolute right to fair treatment in the classroom. Any time you feel an instructor is mistreating you, you should report that to the instructor's department head. You may have a right to some form of grade relief.
- You always have the right to ask instructors for extra credit and makeup assignments. An extra lab or a paper rewrite can sometimes be enough to pull up a slipping 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.
