College is tough. Want proof? Check out how many students Wake Forest dismisses every year. You can be dismissed for dozens of different reasons, from a low GPA to drinking on campus before you're 21. If it should happen to you, you'll find your academic career is essentially over. Try enrolling at another school once you've been expelled from one.
Here's the thing, though: we all make mistakes, even students at Wake Forest. Attorney-adviser Joseph D. Lento and his Education Law Team don't believe that a mistake or two should stand in the way of earning your degree and going on to a successful career. They're committed to protecting student rights. They know the law; they know how your school works. If you're facing dismissal for any reason, you owe it to yourself to find out just what they can do for you.
Reasons for Dismissal at Wake Forest University
With so many different ways you can get dismissed at Wake Forest, we can't possibly list them all here. What we can do, though, is explain the four different categories of dismissal. That should give you some idea of what kinds of behavior to avoid.
- Academic Misconduct: Wake Forest takes academic integrity extremely seriously. You can find yourself in trouble for cheating, plagiarism, and anything else that might potentially give you an unfair advantage in your coursework. Even first offenses can get you expelled if they are serious enough, and multiple offenses almost always result in dismissal.
- Disciplinary Misconduct: It isn't just classroom misbehavior that can get you in trouble at WF. The school has a strict Student Code of Conduct that prohibits a wide variety of activities from threatening others to public urination. Any violation of the Code can result in dismissal. Some violations, like hazing and drug possession, almost always garner dismissal.
- Sexual Misconduct: Technically speaking, sexual misconduct is a form of disciplinary misconduct. In fact, Wake Forest includes it in the Student Code of Conduct. However, it's generally treated as its own type of violation. That's because such offenses aren't just a matter of school policy but of federal law (Title IX). The government requires schools to take all allegations seriously, and this is another violation that is almost always punished with expulsion.
- Academic Performance: Finally, you can also be dismissed for poor academic performance. As part of its academic standing policy, Wake Forest expects you to maintain a minimum cumulative GPA. When you fall below this number, you're placed on academic probation. Continue to struggle while on probation, and you can be dismissed from the university entirely.
Defending Yourself From Misconduct Charges
The good news is that no matter what type of misconduct you're charged with at WF, you have the right to defend yourself. The bad news is it can be difficult to navigate the school's judicial process.
There are some minor differences in how different kinds of misconduct are handled at Wake Forest University, but the general outline of procedures is basically the same regardless of the specific charge. Here's a brief overview.
- Most cases begin when someone—a Complainant—files a complaint against you—the Respondent—with the Office of the Dean of Students. This office must then decide whether or not the complaint has merit.
- If WF decides to pursue your case, it will initiate an investigation. This is your first chance to explain your side of the story. In addition, investigators will talk to the Complainant and to any witnesses to the incident. They will also collect any relevant physical evidence.
- At the conclusion of the investigation, investigators complete a written report summarizing their findings. This report then becomes the foundation for the next phase of the case—a formal hearing.
- At the hearing, you may present your entire case. You are invited to make opening statements. In addition, you'll be allowed to submit any relevant evidence. A conduct officer or panel of decision-makers will ask you questions. They may also call witnesses, and once they've had the chance to question those witnesses, you have the right to cross-examination.
- Ultimately, cases are decided using a legal standard known as “preponderance of the evidence.” According to this standard, decision-makers must find you Responsible (guilty) if they believe it is “more likely than not” that you committed the offense.
- Finally, you can appeal the outcome of a hearing, though the grounds for doing so are limited. Generally speaking, you must be able to show a procedural error occurred; that there is new evidence germane to the case; that the sanction is inappropriate; or that the evidence does not support the finding.
Again there are a number of minor differences in how different kinds of misconduct are investigated and adjudicated. For instance, academic misconduct cases are heard by the school's Honors and Ethics Council, while disciplinary misconduct cases are heard by a panel chosen by the Office of the Dean of Students and sexual misconduct cases are heard by a Title IX Hearing Officer.
The most significant difference, though, has to do with how Title IX cases work. In academic and disciplinary cases, Wake Forest appoints an advisor from the Board of Student Conduct Advisors to help you navigate the process. However, you are not allowed to bring in outside counsel. In Title IX cases, on the other hand, you have the right to choose your own advisor, and this advisor may be an attorney.
Whether you are allowed an attorney or not, Joseph D. Lento and his Education Law Team can play a vital role in preparing you for your case, from working with you to develop a defense strategy, to helping you collect evidence, to coaching you in your presentation.
Academic Dismissal Cases
Your formal options for defending yourself from an academic dismissal case are far more limited than your options in misconduct cases. For the most part, these dismissals are based entirely on GPA, and that isn't deemed subject to review.
You can, however, appeal such a dismissal to the Committee on Academic Affairs if you can show an extenuating circumstance—a family emergency, for instance, or a serious illness—led to your academic deficiencies.
Joseph D. Lento and his Team also know a number of informal approaches to dealing with the threat of academic dismissal. For instance, if you have a disability, you may have a right to special accommodations in the classroom. Even if this disability was not diagnosed when you took a class, you might be able to argue that it entitles you to some form of grade relief.
Whatever type of dismissal you're facing, Joseph D. Lento and his Education Law Team know all the options for protecting you. They have years of experience fighting dismissal decisions, and they can help you develop a plan that's right for your specific situation.
Fighting for Your Future
By this point, you probably have a clear sense of why you need the help of an attorney-advisor to fight dismissal decisions. Campus judicial procedures can be complex and difficult to navigate, and the full weight of your school will likely be against you. Plus, it's no exaggeration to say that your entire future is on the line. You're facing dismissal, and you know what happens to people who go into the workforce with no college degree.
You need someone watching over your shoulder, making certain you're treated fairly and that you get the justice you deserve.
The Joseph D. Lento law firm was built on helping students just like you handle all types of misconduct charges. They know how to negotiate with faculty and administrators; they know how to interview witnesses; they know how to put together water-tight appeals. To find out more about exactly what Joseph D. Lento and his Team can do for you, contact the Lento Law Firm today at 888-555-3686 or use our automated online form.
