Why You Need Help Defending Yourself Against Dismissal at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

As a student, getting into Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is a great achievement. However, just like any other top-notch institution, it doesn’t guarantee you’ll graduate. The classes are rigorous, the professors demanding and there are high standards for professionalism and personal behavior. Therefore, it’s no surprise that dozens of students face dismissal every semester.

If you’re facing dismissal at RPI, you need legal help to defend yourself. Unfortunately, Rensselaer doesn’t make challenging its decisions easy; the system is complex and difficult to navigate with limited rights for students. To ensure you’re being treated fairly and with your future on the line, having an expert in your corner who understands the system is critical.

This article outlines all the reasons why RPI can dismiss you and the different dispute resolution methods available to you. But most importantly, it provides information about how National Student Defense attorney-advisor Todd Spodek can help if confronted with challenges of academic or disciplinary action leading to dismissal.

Reasons for Dismissal at Rensselaer

At RPI, there are many reasons why you could get dismissed from school; some are behavioral while others relate to academics achievement. The Handbook of Student Rights and Responsibilities governs misconduct kinds listed in four categories:

1. Academic Misconduct

Academic integrity is crucial at RPI; therefore, plagiarism, sabotage or cribbing among other violations may result in suspension or even expulsion from school.

2. Disciplinary Misconduct

RPI pays close attention to student’s behavior outside class surroundings resulting from disobedience of rules such as property damage or disorderly conduct can lead to possible dismissal.

3. Sexual Misconduct

Sexual delinquency results in dismissal almost every time; although it’s also under disciplinary misconduct rules,TItle IX mandates procedures, making it usually a separate form of violation.

4. Academic Performance

If you fail to fulfill 1.5 or higher GPA every term and maintain an even higher cumulative GPA based on your class performance, you might land in probation but failing while on probation can result in dismissal.

Adjudication Processes for Academic and Disciplinary Misconduct

You have limited rights during disciplinary or academic misconduct cases at RPI as you lack the right to an attorney or hearing. The following is how the process works:

– Complaints are lodged with the Dean of Student’s Office.
– The office does a judicial inquiry overseen by a “Hearing Officer.” Interviews follow, physical evidence collected if necessary
– Afterward, the Hearing Officer investigates to establish accountability and assigns sanctions where deemed fit.
– You have three days from knowing the inquiry outcome to contest through filing an appeal if there was a disproportionate sanction, procedural error, or new evidence.

Adjudication Processes for Sexual Misconduct Cases

Here are some ways sexual misconduct cases differ from other types of misconduct cases:

– Cases aren’t handled by Dean of Students’ office; they’re handled by Title IX Coordinator designated by RPI.
– An Investigator is appointed by the Coordinator to carry out an exhaustive investigation into all case aspects while also answering your queries throughout.

At the end of the investigation, a decision-maker determines whether you’re culpable and what punishment applies.

You have five days to present grounds for appeal based on procedural errors, bias claim against Title IX official newly found evidence.

Academic Dismissal Cases

RPI deals differently with dismissals due to academic underperformance than other violations since these decisions usually stem from objective facts (term and cumulative GPAs). Even so, it Is still possible to challenge this kind of expulsion through:

– Directly appealing to school’s Committee on Academic Standing for exceptional circumstances such as family emergencies.
– Some cases may be negotiable with faculty persuading them to assign more credit or keep your progress updates to avoid lower grades.

Fighting for Your Future

Due process rights are meager under Rensselaer’s misconduct policies, e.g., no provision for bringing an attorney in proceedings is allowed. Consulting an attorney remains essential despite that fact as they’ll monitor the case and ensure you get a fair hearing since the school is trying to restrict your access to legal counsel.

Todd Spodek specializes in helping students handle any misconduct accusations they might face. From plagiarism claims to sexual assault allegations, he has dealt with it all. He can negotiate with both faculty and administrators, conduct interviews and hearings, among other ways of defending you.

Most importantly, Spodek has proven time and again to go out of his way to make sure that your outcome satisfies your needs.

To find out how Todd Spodek can help fight for your future at RPI, contact the Spodek Law Group today at 888-555-3686, or use our automated online form