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In the past, community colleges had a reputation for being less rigorous in academics than four-year universities and colleges. Thanks to higher academic standards and increased qualifications for teachers at community colleges, this is changing.
Many students choose a community college over a university so they can afford their schooling, have a more flexible schedule, or stay closer to home. Considering these factors, being dismissed from a community college can present significant short and long-term problems for students. They may have little or no other choices when it comes to completing their education in a way that is affordable and conducive to their goals and lifestyle.
If this happened to you, you might have legal recourse. Your school may have violated its own policies and procedures or even federal laws by dismissing you. A civil rights attorney may be able to assist you in pursuing damages for your dismissal. You could move on with your life and choose a different educational path, but being dismissed from even a community college will leave a mark on your academic record that may prevent you from other educational opportunities in the future. Seeking legal help after being kicked out of community college makes sense.
Learning that you have been kicked out of community college can be crushing and cause a lot of stress and uncertainty. You have invested your time, money, and efforts into your education. To protect your rights, education, and future, it is crucial that you take certain steps.
After you receive the news that you have been dismissed from your school, the first step you should take is to find out why. Your school must give you a reason why and explain procedures for an appeal or other rights you have under their policies. The most common reasons for dismissal from any type of college or university are:
It is possible that in the process of dismissing you from their school, your college or university violated discrimination or disability laws. Even if your school simply failed to follow its own disciplinary policy, you may have legal recourse. Many academic college dismissals have been overturned on these points. You can hire a student rights attorney as soon as you learn of your dismissal. Your attorney can help you through any disciplinary hearings or appeals your school may have in place and also if your case escalates to court.
To answer this question, it is essential to understand the differences between private schools and public universities and colleges. Public institutions partially funded with public monies and therefore are mandated to respect the constitutional rights of their students. For example, they must respect your First Amendment right to freedom of speech on campus. If your community college is a public school, they must uphold your constitutional rights. A dismissal on the basis of you exercising one of your constitutional rights is illegal and warrants the representation of an experienced civil rights lawyer.
On the other hand, private colleges and universities are not directly bound by constitutional limits on governmental action, which limits student recourse against them. However, private colleges and universities are generally held to the standard that they set for themselves. They are also contractually bound to the promises they make to their students. For example, if the private school advertises itself with promises of freedom of expression and its student conduct policies reflect that, then they are legally obligated to fulfill that promise. Although they may not be regulated by the government when it comes to constitutional rights, private colleges and universities may not engage in fraud or breach of contract.
Conversely, private institutions can choose their goals and beliefs. By selecting to attend that school, you give your informed consent and agree to abide by their rules and regulations. If the private school clearly and publicly states their religious, moral, or philosophical rules, they can remove you from the school if you violate those rules. Private schools have a significant amount of leeway to impose their views and standards on their students, more than public universities or colleges, but they must be consistent. They cannot dismiss one student for a specific behavior but keep a student who participated in the same behavior.
Considering this information, if you are kicked out of a community college that is a public school, you may have more options than if you are kicked out of a private school. However, each individual situation is different.
No matter what type of college or university you have been kicked out of, you should always schedule a consultation with a student rights attorney. During this consultation, you can learn whether or not your school might have broken any laws in dismissing you and what your legal options are.
Being kicked out of community college may not seem like a big deal compared to being kicked out of a private college or university, but it can have long-lasting effects on your education and career. It may prevent you from enrolling in other colleges and pursuing the career of your dreams because of the negative mark on your record.
In some community college dismissals, the college may have been wrong in dismissing you. You have rights at your school and under the law if you have been kicked out of a community college in Pennsylvania or New Jersey. This is why consulting with a student rights attorney can be beneficial. Whether you were kicked out of a community college or a private university or college, your school must treat you fairly and in accordance with governing laws. An experienced lawyer for student rights can identify situations in which a school has acted wrongfully or in violation of the law and fight for your rights.
Ready to schedule your free legal consultation? Call Pennsylvania and New Jersey student rights attorney Lauren Wimmer today at 215-712-1212 or use our convenient online contact form.
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