If you're in trouble at Touro University, if someone's mentioned the possibility of dismissal to you, the first thing you need to know is that the situation is serious. How serious? Let's put it this way: if you should lose your case, it likely means the end of your academic career.
You probably already realize that dismissal means leaving Touro University. You can't just transfer somewhere else, either. Once you're found Responsible for (guilty of) a dismissible offense, Touro includes a note about that offense on your transcript, and most schools aren't eager to admit students who've been dismissed elsewhere.
Luckily, you don't have to handle this situation all on your own. The Lento Law Firm's Student Defense Team is on your side and ready to help, no matter what charges you might be facing. We know how Touro University's administrative and judicial systems operate, and we're experienced in dealing with faculty and administrators.
The only question, then, is how we can help 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 Touro University
Let's start with the basics: just what is a dismissible offense? There are four ways to find yourself in trouble at Touro University. Each one can lead to dismissal if the charges are serious enough.
- Academic Deficiencies: First, you're expected to live up to the university's academic standards. As the Student Handbook points out, you need a minimum 2.0 grade point average to remain in good standing. Anything below that number means academic probation. Continue to struggle while on probation, and the next step is dismissal.
- Academic Misconduct: The pressure of keeping grades up drives some students to bend the rules. However, academic misconduct—cheating and plagiarism—can also get you dismissed. First offenses are usually handled with in-class sanctions like lowered grades, but if you should get caught a second time, dismissal is definitely an option.
- Disciplinary Misconduct: It's not just your academic conduct that is under scrutiny. Touro University pays just as much attention to your non-academic conduct, if not more. The Student Code of Conduct outlaws behavior such as underage drinking, theft, and misuse of computer resources.
- Sexual Misconduct: These offenses—which include everything from simple verbal harassment to dating violence and rape—are almost always punished with dismissal. Touro University's sexual misconduct policy is mandated by federal law (Title IX), and the university takes allegations very seriously.
Misconduct Defenses
If you're accused of misconduct, whether academic, disciplinary, or sexual, you have a right to a presumption of innocence (“Not Responsible”). Touro University must afford you due process, and it cannot dismiss you without a “preponderance” of evidence.
Here's how the process works.
- Someone lodges a complaint against you with the Dean's Office or the designated Title IX Coordinator. The appropriate official must decide whether the charges are credible and actionable before proceeding.
- The school then issues you official notice of the charges, explaining the allegations against you and detailing your several due process rights.
- Among your rights, you are entitled to select an advisor to accompany you to investigative meetings and hearings. This advisor can be an attorney. That means a Lento Law Firm attorney can be at your side from the moment you are charged.
- The university then conducts a thorough investigation. As part of this investigation, you have the right to give investigators your side of the story. Further, you can submit evidence and suggest witnesses for them to interview.
- Once they have completed their work, investigators submit a full report of their findings back to the university. The university then sets a time and date for a hearing and selects one or more decision-makers to preside over proceedings.
- The hearing is your best opportunity to make your case for your innocence. You may offer any reasonable argument as long as you support it with concrete evidence. You may call witnesses to testify, and you may raise questions for any witnesses testifying against you.
- Decision-makers employ a legal standard known as "preponderance of the evidence" when deciding a case. Simply put, you are guilty if they believe it is "more likely than not" that you committed the offense.
- You can appeal a negative outcome. However, you cannot appeal simply because you disagree with that outcome. You must be able to show you were denied a fair hearing. That usually means discovering new evidence, demonstrating that the school made a procedural error in your case, or arguing that the sanction is disproportionate to the offense.
Your Lento Law Firm attorney cannot speak for you during meetings and proceedings. However, they can help you right from the start to answer investigative questions. They'll work with you to uncover evidence and map out your defense strategy. They'll suggest questions for witnesses, draft documents on your behalf, and even coach you in delivering your case. Through it all, they'll make sure you're treated fairly and that you get the best possible resolution to your case.
Dealing With Academic Dismissal
There are no investigations in academic dismissal cases and no hearings. However, Touro University doesn't just dismiss you because your grades fall. There is a process. Initially, for example, you're issued academic probation. This gives you some time to improve before you actually face dismissal.
If this is the situation you find yourself in, your Lento Law Firm attorney can help. We know a number of strategies for responding to the threat of academic dismissal. For instance,
- Your low grades could be a sign of a learning disability. We can make sure you are properly tested. If you do have such a disability, you are entitled to appropriate course accommodations and to retake courses for replacement credit.
- Instructors don't always treat students fairly. If you feel you're being mistreated, you should report this to your instructor's department head. Then, after the semester, your attorney can help you file a formal grade appeal.
- There is no penalty for asking instructors for extra credit or makeup assignments. The worst they can say is no, but usually enough will agree that you can keep your GPA out of trouble.
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.
