Please Help, Undergraduate at Top 50 College in Dire Need of Advice

Parents Forum
1

I’m in my junior year at a top 50 liberal arts college, having just transferred in from their early college program. I’ve been here three weeks thus far.

I’ve been informed I’m at risk for expulsion or suspension at the moment, without right to a hearing or judiciary process of any kind, nor any right to speak to those making the decisions. The reason being I forged a teacher’s signature on a document requesting a class. The backstory there, and why this reaction from the school doesn’t make any logical sense, is that the school approached the teacher in question and asked her about this, and she stated that she would like me to remain in her class, does not feel this has damaged our relationship in any way, and has no wishes to press the issue. I had contacted her after I submitted the document stating what went on, and could we meet. We met, and she was very sweet, saying she was just sorry the events in questions worked out the way they did. She was not unaware of the document’s existence since we’d thoroughly discussed it (it was a petition for credit working alongside her outside class), it was a matter of me realizing I didn’t have it on me the day of our initial meeting, going to our registrar with the intention of discussing when the deadline was with them since it wasn’t online, on the form, and no one I had asked, including four Deans, knew of it, and them saying I needed to hand the form in that day if I was going to submit it at all. So I did. The teacher was not on campus that day, and wouldn’t be until the following week, when it’d be too late for submittal. Is that an excuse? No, absolutely not. I can go on about the pressure of that moment and this school in general, and explain why I made a stupid decision, but that’s not of use here. The essence of this being that I submitted that document, regretted it, contacted the teacher and apologized, they understood and accepted said apology, that should be the end of the story. But it’s not - the Dean who got ahold of it, and asked her if she signed it, is now unwilling to accept her decision to keep me in her class. In fact, he called me in to say that she is “no longer involved in this in any way - her opinion doesn’t matter. This is administrative now.”

This Dean does not have a friendly reputation, to put it lightly, but to push a matter to these dire ends when it concerns a faculty member who is not pressing the issue, and a student who is not only new, but a Dean’s List student and admissions representative who started college at age 16 with absolutely no record or history of disciplinary issues, or even anything below a ‘B’ on finals reports, is absurd. To deny me the right to a hearing, or due process? This is a private college, they are fully within their right to do that, but in the past I’ve only seen such an action as that when two meth dealers were caught manufacturing on campus. This Dean is not only denying me due process, but has contacted my advisors, and the other deans of the college, as well as the Vice President of the college, to inform them of my actions. The Dean in question also did not want me here prior to this - how do I know this? I am pursuing a major that the college is phasing out, in which he is now the sole program advisor for. He has no academic relation to said major (Interdisciplinary Studies), nor does he want to work with students on it any longer (hence the major being taken out of catalogue next year). I was moving forward with the major regardless, because it was advertised to me as existing, and since it still existed in the college handbook, I was within right to moderate towards it. I don’t think this man wants to work with me, ever. I don’t know why a Dean in his position (head of students + studies) and power would make such moves to indict me unless the intention was to have me expelled or suspended. I don’t know why the opinions and wishes of the one person my actions truly affected given that the proposal was going to be redacted (he will not allow redaction, despite the professor and I agreeing that was the best option) does not matter to him. I believe he is irrational, but that since this is a private institution, I have no means to defend myself against this.

I was told by him, face-to-face, that he has no idea when he’ll be able to get back to me on the decision, and that he is ‘travelling’ and will be away from campus this week, and to not expect a result before then. If disciplinary action is handed down, I will have no forewarning, and will have to evacuate campus in 24 hours. Since this is not going through a judiciary process, I cannot appeal, nor can I meet with the executive board making the decisions.

I enjoy my teachers, I enjoy my classmates, I enjoy this campus. This is an odd situation, and one I’m not sure how to move forward in. My only options as of now seem to be to 1.) Wait with this pendulum over my head, knowing the college’s only options are either to suspend, expel, or let me off with a warning. or 2.) Take control of the situation before it can damage my academic career forever, and withdraw.

For those who suggest they may let me off with academic probation - I am not eligible for it, given my GPA is too high to qualify, and I have no repeated offenses or actions that ‘damage or threaten myself or others’ which are the qualifications for that. This school has NO other disciplinary systems in place aside from probation, suspension, or expulsion. If they were to let me off with a warning, that’s something that already would have done, there would be no disciplinary board hearing as there is now, nor would the Dean have involved as many departments as he did (Student Advising, Dean’s Affairs, Registrar, President’s Office, Academic Affairs, President of the College, my own advisors and professors, etc…

Thoughts? Advice? I’m lost; I’m on immensely unfamiliar ground here, in a situation I cannot control, and that has no rational to it. I thought parents might be of most assistance here.

Thank you.

(Please note - chastisements are not what I am looking for, nor statements reiterating how in the wrong I was. If you’re of the opinion that I should have my permanent record scourged forever over this, that’s fine, you’re absolutely entitled to think that, but I’m seeking advice from those who are a bit less extremist than that in their thinking. Thank you.)

Also - for those who may ask, yes, my permanent record matters since I do not intend to only attend this school, I’m planning on graduate school, and was in fact considering transferring seeing as my desired program was being phased out here.

2

Personally, I would not withdraw. I would wait and see what happens.

3

Get a hold of your school’s Student Conduct Code – if you do not have a physical copy it will be online on your school’s website. Determine what the procedures are for academic infractions which almost always include a hearing whereby you can present your side of the alleged misconduct.

Compose an email to the Dean confirming in writing that you expect the school to abide by it’s own polices and procedures. Spell out in that email exactly what the process is as set forth in the handbook.

Speak to the teacher and see whether she is willing to submit a statement in writing to the Dean more fully explaining why she believes this is not an issue that should be pressed.

In your original post you say " there would be no disciplinary board hearing as there is now." What is this hearing and how were you informed of it’s existence?

4

Checking for clarity.

You forged a a professor’s signature. Is that correct?

I’ll be the outlier here. Forgery is serious business. It doesn’t matter if the professor wanted you in her class…or not. It wasn’t her signature.

Do you have an academic advisor? Does your college have an ombudsman? Maybe one of them can help,you…but you need to understand…forgery is taken very seriously.

5

Hi HarvestMoon1,

I met with the Dean in person, and he informed me that he was taking this issue to the Executive Committee for review in a board meeting. The EC is made up of important figures in the school, such as I was listing earlier - the dean of student affairs, vice president, dean of academic affairs, etc. I’m not allowed to participate or vouch myself there, nor speak with those making the decision. This is what the college says about hearings + peer review boards in their handbook:

“Student Judiciary Board (SJB): This board hears more complex cases of reported campus policy violations. Cases may be referred to the SJB by the Dean of Student Affairs Office or initiated by a student complaint to the chair of the board. The SJB decides whether disciplinary action is appropriate and may impose sanctions, including disciplinary leaves, suspension or expulsion, which are implemented by the Dean of Students.”

“Peer Review Board (PRB): One of two conduct boards on campus that address smaller or first-time policy infractions. We operate through a restorative justice model, attempting to ameliorate any negative community impact through a variety of methods, including conversations with other community members and/or administrators, creative programming, and restitution hours.”

In theory, my case should simply be heard by the Peer Review Board, given it’s a first-time infraction, but as stated in the book, the Dean of Students has the right to elect not to use these, and hand out disciplinary action themselves. The case has to be referred by them to be heard.

There are basic US laws that entitle a student in a school to simple things, such as a fair hearing, a voucher/guest at the hearing, the right to view documents being reviewed, and the right to an appeal. But this is a private institution, and those rights do not, in this instance I believe, apply.

I thought the same thing about having the teacher defend me - my worry in that case is that she is so very new here, in her first year in fact, that the Dean’s office has no experience working with her, and that to ask her to potentially risk consequences of her own in order to defend me, when she’s a new teacher who could still easily be fired or suspended for ‘endorsing’ this (or whatever they might call her behavior of allowing me to stay in her classroom), is too much on her part. I can still ask, I suppose. I could get in trouble for asking her to do that though, if the college found out, or have access to her email. I don’t want to dig myself further into a hole.

I’m not sure if I should consult with a lawyer at this point of what I am entitled to, exactly, seeing as this is a private school.

6

If the school gets financial aid grants from the federal or state government for students (Pell, or state grants) then they are, I believe, bound by some federal and state laws. I would talk with a lawyer, yes. It would be well worth the cost of an hour.

If you withdrew would you get a refund? The thing that caught my eye is that you were considering transferring anyway because your major is being discontinued.

Aside from the major program disappearing, it would appear you may have some damaged relationships at your current school, that might make the next two years difficult. Is there anyone besides the teacher who has been sympathetic?

I have been shocked at the frequency with which signatures are forged in the professional and even non-profit world. I won’t say any more. Chances are that at the college level, some impact can be made on this practice by taking it seriously. Plagiarism and forgery are both big issues with disciplinary boards.

I understand the pressures you were under that day and that you realize what you did was wrong, and have apologized. I hope that this situation can resolve for you.

I would not want this on my record. I think a lawyer can best help you figure out how to avoid that.

Good luck!

7

@thumper1 - I don’t think you’re the outlier. In my case the severity of forgery was a given.

8

Agree with compmom–see an attorney to see if you have any recourse.
I would transfer schools sooner than later. If the school is phasing out your major then switch.
It could very well be a reason that the dean is pushing this.

9

I agree with seeing about transferring immediately. I also agree with Thumper that forging a teacher’s name is very serious and I can totally see why the Dean is looking at this level of punishment.

10

Yes, see an attorney, but not just any attorney. I’d think someone that has a strong corporate or employment law background may have some areas of expertise that could apply to your predicament. If possible, find one that has some experience dealing in matters with your school, someone who may have a personal connection to the school’s counsel.

I see you are also 16 and a minor. Perhaps that has some bearing on your rights in this private institution, as you are not of legal age to make many decisions. The University may also need to address your situation differently because of your age.

11

@dove46 is there not an additional section in that handbook that explains the procedures for how the cases are heard by the SJB and the PRB? I have never seen a conduct code that does not specifically set out how the cases are reviewed and the manner in which the hearings are conducted.

12

You want to find an attorney who specializes in academic misconduct/college dismissal, etc. You should want to negotiate your deal from a position of strength before the committee meets. Perhaps ask if you can be allowed to withdraw with no penalty

The big thing is that the infraction does not become part of your disciplinary or academic history. You will want this part in writing because when you do transfer, you must list every school you have attended. You need to come to a mutual agreement when it comes to your reason for leaving that does not place you in a negative light.

In addition should you apply for grad, law, med school where you will not only have to give transcripts from everywhere you have attended, but you must also address any academic or disciplinary issues, you want to make sure that there are none to report.

13

Why would you want to stay? Even if you get this issue resolved, you stated you would have to work with this dean the rest of your college career, for a major you pushed for which he wants to see phased out. This will be just the beginning in a long line of “issues.” You will definitely not find support at this school.

14

Your school is tiny; it will be difficult to avoid this dean. They do offer a multidisciplinary studies program (according to their website) as well as other programs that take an interdisciplinary approach. Maybe you should consider switching majors if allowed to stay? Also, have you considered a sincere apology? We all make mistakes, but your initial post feels to me like you are blaming everyone else. Maybe changing your presentation will help? Good luck. I really hope you come to an amicable solution.

15

@dove46 looks to me the quotes in your post #4 are coming from the student government page on your school’s website. Get off that page and go to your school’s Student Handbook. Go to Appendix B “Disciplinary Proceedings” and there you will find what policies and procedures your school must follow for infractions of the code.

You should sit down with your parents and review this section and understand your rights. I have not reviewed the whole section but at the very least it looks to me like you are entitled to an “Alleged Infraction Report” and the opportunity to respond to that report.

If you were my child (I believe you are 16 and an early college admit?) I would be sitting down with you and drafting an email to the Dean respectfully asking him to consider referring this matter to the “Restorative Conference Circle” which is the first proceeding they describe in that section. It appears the Dean has the discretion to make that referral. I would have you think about the “circle conference questions” and perhaps even address them in the email:

What happened?
o What were you thinking at the time?
o What have you thought about since that time?
o Who was affected by what was done? In what way? What is needed to make things right?

Hope you can make this right and that it works out for you.

16

What OP said was

Op started college at 16. This does not mean that he is currently 16, he is

. As an Early College student, s/he probably completed the first two years of college while in high school.

If you can withdraw, unscathed, you will probably still have the opportunity to apply somewhere else next year as a freshman

17

Are you 16 now, or you started college elsewhere at age 16 and then transferred to current 4 year college?

18

Op was not an early college admit. It is his first year attending college away from home.

Op went to a high school that has an early college program; you completed he last 2 years of high school ( junior and senior year.
Remember most high school juniors are 16 or turning 26 in the year the start 12th grade if try have not been accelerated, held back or started school late) and 2 years of college simultaneously.

When they graduate the get a hs diploma and an associates degree. If admitted they attend the 4 year school as a junior during what would be freshmen year for his/her high school graduation cohort

Op, have you even told your parents what is going on. (I believe op is already 18).

19

“I’m in my junior year at a top 50 liberal arts college, having just transferred in from their early college program.”

Apparently we’re going to continue to pretend that the OP is keeping the name of the school confidential, so I won’t spell it out, but it took me about 10 seconds to check that the one college I’m aware of that has its own early college program is indeed, just barely, in the US News top 50. And I’m obviously not the only one who figured it out.

The OP left high school at 16, before graduating, started college early at a program for kids who want to do just that and is, presumably, now an 18 year old junior.

20

To confirm for all, no, I’m not a minor, I’m 19.

@compmom - I would get a partial refund if I withdrew now, since we’re not too far into the year. It’d be about $4,500 or so (30% back). They do give out federal grants and funding, that’s a good point - I think that’s a question for a lawyer, of whether the school has to obey by federal laws if they award those, especially given that I’m not on any of those loans (I am on aid, not federal loans, though).

I’m too new here to actually have anyone else on my side - I only know my professors (who I love, but besides the one involved, the others don’t know anything). I do strive to make relationships with all my teachers, so if this whole situation ends with me going home, I do still think they would write letters of recommendations and whatnot.

@slaudsmom Yes, I did apologize in-person to the Dean, as well as the teacher before that. The Dean did not appreciate the apology at all, and seemed to enjoy my self-beratement more (of how idiotic it was, there’s no excuses, etc.) He is not a man who likes to talk to students, and there actually is no direct phone or email to him. His building has no landline, and the email goes to a different office with a secretary, so the only way to contact him quickly is in-person meetings, which I did. I think the meeting went as well as could be expected.

Your other suggestion about changing programs; that’s actually what many people do here - switch their majors in response to a program being smaller than expected, not as well-resourced as others, poor or unfavorable relationships with the handful of people who run it, etc. I’d say about half the people I’ve met thus far are in a program other than the one they originally intended to be, for whatever reason, and I’ve yet to meet someone really ecstatic about the switch.

So for your and many others suggestion to transfer, yes, I do intend to transfer, regardless of whether or not I’m graced with the opportunity to stay out the semester. I think at this point in my college career, it’d be best to aim for as close to a 4.0 as possible this semester, then try to transfer to a school that actually offers the major I desire, and has more than one person assigned to the department. If I just drop out and try to transfer, I think it’d present an issue on the CommonApp, wherein one’s obliged to include every school they ever attended. Even if I withdraw with a clean record, that will look odd for other school’s looking in. I’d have to use older transcripts, too, since I’d have none from this academic year.

@sybbie719 I’d lose over 60 credits applying as a freshmen elsewhere - yes, that’s the best answer, but not the most financially feasible. LACs tend to be 60K+ a year, as I’m sure most on this thread are aware. Also, you were correct in that I’m no longer 16, but this is my third year away from home. The early college program was not near me (and residential). And yes, my parents know what is going on - they’d like to help, but aren’t sure how (hence me asking for advice here).

Does anyone know of whether or not disciplinary actions NOT on the academic record are still reported to schools via CommonApp, or something else? Is my personal file here something that would be shared with other colleges if I try to leave after this semester (assuming I manage to stay here that long)?