Students generally don't like talking about the big “D” word—Dismissal. It's bad luck, right? If you've gotten yourself into some sort of mess at Webster University, though, it's time you started thinking about it. Colleges and universities are quick to impose harsh penalties like dismissal, and you cannot afford to take a wait-and-see attitude.
Likewise, you can't afford to try and handle the situation all on your own. Dismissal is simply too big an outcome to risk. Luckily, you don't have to deal with this threat alone. The Lento Law Firm's Student Defense Team was founded specifically to help students respond to misconduct allegations and grade point crises. We know how WU works, including all the university's rules and regulations and how to navigate the administrative and judicial systems. You can always count on us to use every resource at our disposal to protect your academic future.
What can we do for 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 Webster University
Of course, WU can't simply dismiss you on a whim. The university must have a concrete reason to threaten you with dismissal. At Webster, there are four categories of offense that can get you into that much trouble.
- Academic Deficiencies: You're a student, and your first job is to meet academic standards. WU's academic standing policy requires you to maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0. Anything lower means probation. Struggle while you're on probation, and you can also wind up dismissed.
- Academic Misconduct: You're also expected to earn your degree honestly. The university's Academic Honesty policy explicitly prohibits cheating and plagiarism, but any sort of classroom dishonesty can get you into trouble. Dismissal is unusual in these cases, but the university will use it if you're caught committing multiple offenses.
- Disciplinary Misconduct: The Academic Honesty policy governs your classroom behavior. The Student Code of Conduct governs your non-academic campus behavior. That includes misconduct like underage drinking, trespassing, and vandalism. Any offense can lead to dismissal. Some, like weapons possession and drug usage, almost always lead to dismissal.
- Sexual Misconduct: Dismissal is also the most likely outcome in sexual misconduct cases. Such offenses are subject to federal law under Title IX, and the government encourages colleges and universities to use harsh penalties.
Misconduct Defenses
Webster must have a legitimate reason why it wants to dismiss you. It must also come up with concrete evidence to substantiate any allegations. You are “innocent until proven guilty” (“not responsible until proven responsible”), and you have the right to an investigation and a hearing.
- Cases typically begin with a complaint. The person making the complaint is referred to as the “complainant.” As the accused, you're referred to as the “respondent.” The issue is whether or not you are “responsible for” (guilty of”) a university offense.
- The university must decide whether the complaint is credible before issuing a formal charge. Once it issues a charge, it must also provide you with notice of those charges.
- Next, you're subject to a full investigation. This is actually to your benefit. If the university cannot uncover enough evidence, it must dismiss the charges. In addition, you always have the right to give your side of the story, submit evidence of your innocence, and suggest witnesses for investigators to interview.
- Once their work is complete, investigators submit a report of their findings to the university. You have the right to review this document and any evidence against you. Then, the university sets a time and date for a hearing and appoints one or more decision-makers to preside over this hearing.
- The hearing is your opportunity to make your full case. You may introduce evidence and call witnesses to testify. You may also challenge any evidence against you, including witness testimony.
- All WU misconduct cases are decided using 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 the offense.
- You also have the right to appeal a responsible outcome. However, WU places strict limits on the grounds for appeal. You must be able to show that the university committed some procedural error, an important piece of evidence was overlooked, or the sanction you've been given is disproportionate to the offense.
Among your many rights as a WU student, you are entitled to an advisor to help you with your misconduct defense, and you are free to choose anyone you want for this role. This means your Lento Law Firm attorney can accompany you to investigative meetings and to the hearing and help you present your case.
Your Lento Law Firm attorney's most important jobs happen behind the scenes, though. For instance, they'll help you to search for evidence and outline your overall defense strategy. They'll coach you in responding to investigators. They'll suggest questions for witnesses and prepare exhibits. They can even give you practice in presenting your case. Along the way, they'll also make sure that you're treated fairly and that you get the best possible resolution to your case.
Dealing With Academic Dismissal
Academic dismissals don't usually require the same kind of substantiating evidence as misconduct dismissals. The "proof" of your "offense" is your GPA itself, and ordinarily, that's not subject to debate.
There is one exception. If you can show that your academic deficiencies are the result of extenuating circumstances, like a family emergency or a serious illness, you can appeal the dismissal. Successful appeals result in an additional semester on probation. Your Lento Law Firm attorney can help you put your appeal together.
The better approach, though, is to avoid the threat of dismissal in the first place. Your Lento Law Firm attorney can help with that as well. They know many ways to use the WU system to your advantage. For instance,
- Your low GPA could be the result of an undiagnosed learning disability. You have the right to free testing. If you do have ADD, ADHD, or some other condition, you are entitled to appropriate course accommodations. You can also drop low grades from your GPA and retake those courses.
- You have important rights in the classroom. Any time you feel an instructor is mistreating you, you should report this to your instructor's department head. At a minimum, this will make it easier to file a formal grade appeal once the semester is over.
- There is always the old standby of extra credit work. Not all faculty offers such opportunities, but usually enough will be enough for you to keep your GPA above that magic 2.0 number.
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.
