There is no word more frightening to college students than "dismissal." Dismissal is bad enough, but dismissal is always more than dismissal. It usually includes a transcript notation about just what exactly led to your dismissal. That can keep you from enrolling anywhere else, and no college student wants to head out onto the job market with college loans to pay for and no college degree to show for it.
If you've found yourself in trouble at the University of Vermont and someone has mentioned the "D" word to you, you absolutely must take it seriously. You must learn everything you can about the charges against you. You must find out everything you can about the UVM judicial system. Most importantly, you must get the right help.
The Lento Law Firm's Student Defense Team has helped hundreds of students defend themselves from all types of charges. We are the premier attorneys in the country when it comes to protecting student rights. We know UVM's policies, and we know how to use them to salvage your academic career.
Don't wait to contact us, though. UVM is already building its case against you. You should be working on your defense. Call 888-535-3686 to get help, or take a few minutes right now and fill out one of our online forms.
Reasons for Dismissal from the University of Vermont
First things first: just what is it that can get you dismissed at UVM?
- Academic Deficiencies: UVM is a lot of things, but first and foremost, it is a university, and it expects you to perform in the classroom. You don't have to be the next Einstein, but a GPA below 2.0 can get you placed on academic probation. Continue to struggle, and you can also find yourself dismissed.
- Academic Misconduct: Likewise, cheating and plagiarism are frowned upon at UVM. Again, the academic misconduct policy doesn't prescribe dismissal for first offenses, but additional offenses can certainly make dismissal a possibility.
- Disciplinary Misconduct: You're not just expected to be on your best behavior in the classroom. Your general campus conduct can get you dismissed as quickly as a cheating allegation, in most cases, quicker. Many offenses, such as hazing, weapons possession, and assault, can lead to automatic dismissal, even for a first offense.
- Sexual Misconduct: Sexually-based offenses are almost always punished with dismissal. Sexual misconduct is counter to Title IX, a federal law, and UVM takes all allegations seriously.
Misconduct Defenses
There are always ways to defend yourself from dismissal threats. If you've been charged with misconduct, in fact, the university has processes and procedures in place to ensure you are treated fairly and given a reasonable chance to prove your innocence.
- Most cases begin with a complaint lodged either with the Center for Student Conduct or, in the case of sexual misconduct, the Title IX Coordinator.
- UVM is required to provide you with a Notice of the Charges the moment you are charged. This Notice should identify the Complainant (your accuser or alleged victim), describe the allegations, and explain your due process rights.
- Among your rights, you are entitled to a presumption of innocence ("Not Responsible"). You are further entitled to review all evidence against you. And you are allowed an advisor of your choice. This means a Lento Law Firm attorney can accompany you to all investigative meetings and hearings.
- Once you've been issued a Notice of the Charges, UVM initiates an investigation. Investigators typically start by interviewing the Respondent (the accused, you). Of course, they'll also interview a Complainant, if there is one, and any witnesses. And they'll collect all physical evidence.
- Ultimately, investigators are tasked with submitting a written report summarizing all their findings. This then becomes the foundation of the hearing that follows.
- Hearings take place before one or more trained decision-makers. Both sides offer arguments and support those arguments with evidence, including witness testimony. You also have the right to raise questions about the other side's evidence and cross-examine witnesses.
- Once both sides have made their cases, decision-makers deliberate on your level of responsibility (guilt). To do this, they use a legal standard known as "preponderance of the evidence." According to this standard, you are guilty if it seems "more likely than not" that you committed an offense.
- In addition to all your other rights, you have the right to appeal the hearing outcome. However, you cannot simply base your appeal on the fact that you don't like the outcome. You must have "grounds," clear reasons why you feel you were treated unfairly by the process. This can include evidence that wasn't previously available, an allegation of a procedural error in the case, or an allegation that Conduct Meeting Facilitators abused their authority in some way.
You can expect your case to follow this general outline, no matter what the charges against you. The fine details of how a case unfolds, though, can differ enormously depending on the specific nature of the charges. If, for instance, you're facing a sexual misconduct charge, you'll have the opportunity to cross-examine your accuser. That's a significant advantage. However, they'll also have the chance to cross-examine you.
This is just one reason you don't want to go into a misconduct case without a Lento Law Firm attorney by your side. Whatever your situation, you can count on your Lento Law Firm attorney to be well-versed in all procedures and to prepare you for every eventuality.
Dealing With Academic Dismissal
Academic dismissals are considerably different from misconduct dismissals, but there are still ways to fight for your future. UVM doesn't offer any formal appeals procedures, but your Lento Law Firm attorney can show you some useful informal strategies for protecting yourself.
- If you've been dealing with extenuating circumstances, like a family emergency or a serious illness, you can petition your UVM college directly. Such circumstances can be grounds for additional time to pull up your GPA.
- If you are being mistreated in any way by an instructor, you should report this immediately to your instructor's department head. Such mistreatment may entitle you to some type of grade adjustment.
- There is never any harm in asking instructors for extra credit or makeup assignments. If your grade is borderline, this can be a quick way to improve 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.
