As they say, we all make mistakes. Somehow, though, college students seem to make more than their fair share. It probably has something to do with all that adulting you're trying to learn how to do.
Maybe you overslept and missed the big exam. Maybe you went through a bad breakup and missed most of the spring semester. Whatever has happened, you don't have to let it define you or keep you from graduating with your degree.
Joseph D. Lento, National Student Defense attorney-advisor, is here to help. There are lots of things that can go wrong at the University of Washington and lots of reasons the school might try to dismiss you. We'll look at most of them here. Joseph D. Lento has dealt with all of them.
If you're in trouble and worried about your future, you owe it to yourself to contact Joseph D. Lento and find out what he can do for you.
Reasons for Dismissal at Georgetown University
There are many reasons the University of Washington might decide to dismiss you. For the most part, though, they can be grouped into four basic categories.
- Academic Performance: You came to UW to learn, and the school expects you to make your best effort to do that. Should your grade point average fall below 2.0, you can find yourself on academic probation. Fail to bring it up while you're on probation, and you could find yourself dismissed entirely.
- Academic Misconduct: UW also expects you to earn your degree honestly. That means no cheating, no plagiarism, no falsifying data, and no unauthorized collaboration. Should you violate any of these or the other prohibitions in the academic misconduct policy, UW can dismiss you.
- Disciplinary Misconduct: You can also be dismissed for your behaviors outside of class. Under UW's Student Code of Conduct, you can be sanctioned for all sorts of misconduct, from underage drinking to vandalism. Many offenses, like hazing, drug possession, and assault, can garner dismissal.
- Sexual Misconduct: Sexual misconduct is so serious that it is treated as a special form of disciplinary misconduct. It's also serious enough that suspension is usually the minimum sanction, and dismissal is the most likely sanction.
The Adjudication Process
An accusation of misconduct doesn't have to mean the end of your academic career. Under Washington state law, you have the right to defend yourself against any charges that might result in dismissal. For the most part, the process is the same no matter what type of dismissal you're facing—academic misconduct, disciplinary misconduct, or sexual misconduct.
- Cases usually begin with a formal accusation to the Office of Community Standards and Student Conduct (CSSC).
- The CSSC then undertakes some type of investigation into the accusation.
- Cases are sometimes dismissed at this point. If the investigator believes there is sufficient evidence to support the charge, though, the case then moves into a hearing phase.
- Hearings are overseen by one or more Decision Makers who direct proceedings and determine whether or not you are responsible for a misconduct violation.
- At the hearing, you may make arguments, present evidence, and call witnesses to testify on your behalf.
- In all cases, you have the right to an advisor, and this advisor may be an attorney.
- Ultimately, the decision makers use a legal standard known as “preponderance of evidence” to decide whether or not you are responsible. In simple terms, this standard requires they find you responsible if they believe it is “more likely than not” that you committed an offense.
- Finally, the decision makers must also decide on an appropriate punishment.
There is some variation in how cases proceed. Sexual misconduct cases, for example, are governed by federal law—Title IX—which ensures students are afforded additional due process rights that aren't available in other types of cases. Among these rights, you are entitled to question the investigative report before it is submitted at the hearing, and you have the right to cross-examine the Complainant and any witnesses against you.
No matter what particular procedures you're facing, they can be complex and difficult to navigate. You never want to try and fight dismissal on your own. There's simply too much at stake. Joseph D. Lento has years of experience defending hundreds of clients. He knows the process, and he's ready to put that knowledge to work for you.
Appeals Processes
In addition to the right to defend yourself, the Washington state legislature also guarantees your right to appeal any hearing outcome through an “Administrative Review.” Again, there are some minor differences in how these reviews are conducted. Sexual misconduct appeals, for example, are heard by a Title IX Appeals Officer rather than a CSSC administrator.
For the most part, however, the procedures are all the same. Of particular importance, you must request a review within 21 days of notification of the hearing outcome. In addition, grounds for appeal are strictly limited to
- The discovery of new evidence
- A material error in how the hearing was conducted
- A sanction that is disproportionate to the offense
- “Any other grounds” that might warrant modification or reversal of the decision
Academic Dismissal Cases
Dismissals for academic distress are not normally reviewable. That's because they are a matter of numbers. Either your GPA is high enough, or it isn't.
However, there are ways of dealing with such dismissals. Perhaps the easiest solution is to convince an instructor to modify your grade. Sometimes faculty simply miscalculate scores, and it's always worth asking them to re-figure your final grade. Though it's less likely, some professors are willing to offer extra credit or makeup assignments to help you raise your grade.
Finally, should the worst happen and you find yourself dismissed, the University of Washington does offer a process for reinstatement after one or two semesters apart from the school, though this process can be complex.
Joseph D. Lento knows all the options open to you, and he knows which ones will work best in your particular situation. Whatever type of dismissal you're facing, you can trust Joseph D. Lento to have the best advice to salvage your future.
Fighting for Your Future
Most students find fighting dismissal a daunting proposition. Developing a defense strategy, collecting evidence, and talking to witnesses—takes time and energy that most students just don't have. So, they wind up simply accepting their fate and moving on, maybe to a less prestigious school, maybe into the workforce.
You're never any worse off fighting and losing, though, than you would be giving up. And you don't have to handle this situation all on your own. Joseph D. Lento built his practice helping students just like you handle all types of charges. He's dealt with everything from plagiarism allegations to rape charges. He knows how to put together a water-tight appeal; he knows how to formulate witness questions; he knows how to negotiate with faculty and administrators. Most importantly, no matter what problem you're facing, Joseph D. Lento is on your side and will do everything in his power to get you the very best possible resolution to your case.
If you or your child is facing dismissal or have already been dismissed, Joseph D. Lento may be able to help. Contact the Lento Law Firm Team today at 888-555-3686, or use our automated online form.
