If you're in trouble at the University of West Georgia (UWG) and someone has mentioned the possibility of dismissal to you, you absolutely must take it seriously. You can't transfer your way out of this problem. A dismissal on your record will likely disqualify you from enrolling elsewhere.
What does taking it seriously mean? It means understanding the charges against you, carefully preparing the strongest defense you can mount, and making sure you have the right help on your side.
There's too much at stake to trust your case to anyone but an attorney from the Lento Law Firm. Our Student Defense Team was built to protect student rights. We know UWG's academic and judicial processes, and we know how to use them to get you a fair case resolution.
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 West Georgia
Defending yourself from the threat of dismissal starts with understanding the charges against you. This is especially true if you are entirely innocent. You cannot hope to respond to an allegation if you don't fully understand what you're alleged to have done.
If you're facing dismissal at UWG, it likely means you've been charged with one of four types of offenses.
- Academic Deficiencies: This isn't high school, and you can be dismissed for a low GPA at UWG. Don't panic. A couple of low grades aren't enough to do it. A GPA below 2.0, though, can get you placed on probation, and from there, it's just a shortfall to suspension and outright dismissal.
- Academic Misconduct: You can also be dismissed for academic misconduct. UWG maintains a strict Honor Code. Cheating and plagiarism are expressly prohibited, and multiple violations of the Code are frequently punished with dismissal.
- Disciplinary Misconduct: Alongside the Honor Code in the Student Handbook is a long list of other general misconduct offenses. These include things like disorderly conduct, underage drinking, theft, and trespassing. Any violation can result in dismissal if it is serious enough. Some offenses, though, almost always result in dismissal, like hazing, weapons possession, and drug possession.
- Sexual Misconduct: These offenses are also most commonly punished with dismissal. UWG's policy is built on Title IX, a federal law. The university takes all allegations seriously.
Misconduct Defenses
Knowing the charges against you is half the battle when you're trying to defend yourself. It's only half the battle, though. The other half is knowing how UWG's judicial processes and procedures work. If you're fighting a misconduct charge, here's what you can expect.
- Cases generally begin with a complaint lodged against you with either the Office of Community Standards or, in the case of sexual misconduct complaints, the Title IX coordinator.
- The university must decide whether the complaint is credible before it proceeds. If you are formally charged, you'll receive a written Notice of the Charges outlining the allegation and explaining your due process rights.
- You have several important rights, including the right to a presumption of “Not Responsible” (innocence), the right to review all evidence against you, and the right to an advisor of your choice.
- The first phase of the case is an investigation. Even at this early point, the Lento Law Firm attorney can accompany you to all meetings. Though we cannot speak for you, we can be on hand to help you answer questions.
- Investigators talk with witnesses and gather physical evidence. They compile all of this material into a written report that is ultimately turned over to the university.
- The university then sets a time and date for the next phase in the case--a hearing.
- At the hearing, you'll argue your innocence before one or more trained decision-makers. You may introduce evidence and call witnesses. In addition, you have the right to raise questions for any witnesses testifying against you.
- Once both sides have had the chance to make their cases, decision-makers employ a legal standard known as “preponderance of the evidence” to determine whether or not you are “Responsible for” (guilty of) the offense. This standard requires them to find you guilty if they are more than fifty percent convinced you violated policy.
- Should you lose your case, you can appeal. However, you must have very specific grounds for appeal, some allegation that you were treated unfairly by the process, such as a procedural error, new information, or an allegation that the decision is not based on satisfactory evidence.
The charges against you can change the nature of processes and procedures in dramatic ways. For example, if you're charged with Title IX sexual misconduct, you are entitled to cross-examine your accuser. They're also entitled to cross-examine you. These kinds of details can play an enormous role in how you prepare your case.
This is one reason it's so important to have the Lento Law Firm attorney at your side. We know how UWG processes work, and we can prepare you for whatever you'll face.
Dealing With Academic Dismissal
You can defend yourself from an academic dismissal as well, but it's not always as straightforward as defending yourself from a misconduct charge.
You can, for example, file a formal appeal of an academic dismissal. However, there's no hearing, and decisions are based entirely on whether or not you've experienced any extenuating circumstances. You must be able to prove that you suffered from a serious illness, dealt with a family emergency, or struggled with a bout of depression. The Lento Law Firm attorney can help you prepare your appeal if this is your situation.
The Lento Law Firm attorneys also know some informal strategies for keeping your grades up and avoiding academic dismissal. For instance,
- Learning disabilities may entitle you to special course accommodations, like extra time to complete assignments. They can also entitle you to drop low grades from your GPA and retake courses without penalty.
- You always have the right to ask instructors for extra credit or makeup assignments. If your grade is borderline, this can be one of the quickest, easiest ways to pull up your GPA.
- Any time you feel an instructor is mistreating you, you should report this to your instructor's department head. You may deserve some sort of grade adjustment. At a minimum, you can file a formal grade appeal once the semester is over.
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.
