<p>Last week I got a University Dismissal which is defined as:
Dismissal is a separation from the University involving denial of all student privileges. Dismissal shall be effective on the date of notice of the dismissal or later if so stated in the notice; may be entered into the student’s transcript; and may prescribe the date and conditions upon which the student may petition for readmission. Conditions for readmission may include, but are not limited to, disciplinary probation for a specified length of time; non-residence on campus; restricted visitation to specified campus facilities; and written statement from an accredited mental health professional or medical doctor verifying the capability of the student to function successfully at the University. Readmission is at the sole discretion of the University and is not guaranteed. Students separated from the University by dismissal may not enter University premises or University-related premises without securing prior approval from the Executive Vice President/designee. The dismissal notation will be removed from the student’s permanent record, by the Registrar, upon the student’s graduation. The dismissal notation can also possibly be removed earlier by petitioning the Executive Vice President.
This was caused because last week I had a panic attack after consuming a small amount of alcohol and smoking blunt with a group of individuals that day, but in return I found out that I have a heart condition which is Atrial Fibrillation. That’s the less of my worries right now. I still want to continue my college education. Am I still capable to transfer to another college right now? According to the dean this is not going to appear on my transcript as of now, but it could change the next time I have to meet with him which is next week. Will colleges as me about this situation? Should I apply for spring or next fall?</p>
<p>What did they say is the reason for dismissal? Honor code violation, medical or what? Usually if you are dismissed outright and not suspended they think it is pretty bad situation. Yes, all colleges will ask you about disciplinary matters on the application and you will have to tell it and have an explanation. I would try to work out a suspension and find out what the conditions for readmission would be. Take responsibility but explain the medical aspect.</p>
<p>Was the semester over? If not, it sounds like a honor code violation or similar.</p>
<p>I suggest that before you consider the “tactics” of what to do next, you SERIOUSLY ponder the underlying cause(s) and their current as well as their long-term ramifications. For example, you don’t seem at all concerned with the morality or the legality of possible underage drinking and with the criminal use of a narcotic (remembering that illicit drug use remains a Federal crime, notwithstanding the actions of some individual states and municipalities). Many individuals may suggest that such things are common and that decriminalization is likely, but until that happens at the Federal level, you’re risking your future – as you’ve just experienced with this suspension and the fact that it could conceivably follow you forever, causing major issues with employment, formal education, acquiring security clearances, and so forth. Perhaps it’s time to assess whether future use of drugs makes sense, before you weigh how to deal with your suspension? </p>
<p>me, I’d hire a lawyer who is experienced in dealing with college-student relationships. Deans usually have little or no knowledge of the law in this kind of case, and may very well do something that they are not allowed to do. How would you know that without a lawyer? You don’t have to believe what the admin is telling you, and in my 30 year experience working at a uni the deans know less law than your average human resources secretary. </p>
<p>“This was caused because last week I had a panic attack after consuming a small amount of alcohol and smoking blunt with a group of individuals that day, but in return I found out that I have a heart condition which is Atrial Fibrillation.”</p>
<p>Yes, but <em>what did you do</em>?</p>
<p>@jkeil911 and @Crivil18: I wonder if hiring an attorney could compel the institution to provide all the relevant information – and, more crucially, substantiation – to law enforcement (including the university police, who generally have full sworn-officer investigatory and arrest powers)? Obviously, Federal privacy statutes may apply, and I have no knowledge in this area. However, if the police became involved and if an arrest(s) was made, wouldn’t that substantially exacerbate this problem?</p>
<p>the college wants to keep it in-house if it can. otherwise they bring into question all their reactions to the discovery of the student’s presumed illness. Since the police apparently aren’t involved there’s no indication that a crime has been committed here or that the university response involved protecting a chain of evidence. There’s too much unknown that should be discussed with an attorney before the student meets with the dean. I’m not a lawyer, but if this kid were me I’d ask mom and dad to spring for an initial consultation with a lawyer.</p>
<p>@jkeil911: I agree with several of your points, however, there is a near-certain indication that a crime was committed. Specifically, the OP acknowledged that he “smoked blunt” last week. The Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. § 811) makes marijuana possession and use (including so-called “recreational use”) a crime. The fact that this is often not prosecuted when the quantities involved are small does not alter the fact that a crime was committed. </p>
<p><a href=“Federal Medical Marijuana | Law, Policy, Advocacy and Updates | Medical Cannabis - Americans for Safe Access”>http://www.safeaccessnow.org/federal_marijuana_law</a> provides detailed information. </p>
<p>the student hasn’t committed a crime unless the state determines a crime was committed. I haven’t heard that said. I have no doubt smoking a joint is a crime in most states and all american states and territories. </p>
<p>In my opinion, that’s entirely wrong @jkeil911; if x murders y and is never arrested, prosecuted or convicted, he still committed a homicide. The fact that it was never proven alters neither the facts nor the germane ethics. With that said, I agree that until the state proves a crime was committed, no penalty can be assessed by the legal system. However, in this situation, the OP publicly acknowledged that he committed a criminal act. That’s an Admission Against Interest. Hypothetically, this thread could be subpoenaed.</p>
<p>I think we understand each other’s position. I was hoping some lawyers would weigh in here, but that isn’t happening so what do you say we turn this back over to the scared student. </p>
<p>I don’t know much about the legal system, but aren’t people who run afoul of the law ENCOURAGED to get legal representation? I think OP should run this situation past a lawyer. Were all the kids who were smoking and drinking dismissed, or just the OP? What did the OP do during the panic attack? On what grounds is the university dismissing him? These are all important things to know. OP, you should visit a lawyer to protect your rights and get some sound advice about what options are open to you. Good luck.</p>
<p>I believe individuals should be encouraged to confront their errors forthrightly, to be personally accountable, to accept their punishments, and to learn from their mistakes. I am not at all sure that legal representation and concomitant “fancy footwork” is necessarily in the OP’s long-term best interest. For example, let us presume the OP’s attorney finds a flaw or two in the university’s procedural treatment of this situation and the OP is reinstated without prejudice or adverse indications on his record. Critically, that does not alter the FACT that the OP committed at least one self-admitted crime, but it just might reinforced the idea that “legal gymnastics” can and should surmount ethical and lawful behavior.</p>
<p>OP is a college student, he’s young, and he is likely to make mistakes. However, the truly crucial issue is what he will learn from those errors. I hope he will discover that criminal conduct can have a serious, enduring consequence not that hiring a sharp lawyer is a potentially expedient method to overcome the penalties of self-inflicted illicit behavior. </p>
<p>If we look at how colleges treat students who are accused of far worse offenses, sexual assault, you’ll notice there is no right to counsel because the proceedings are not a court of law. (Yes, I know this is a terrible argument, but it’s what the colleges will claim.) A lawyer may be able to show you how the college is being unfair, but to get anywhere, you may well have to sue the college. It will be a very long road unless you can get the college to roll over, which they probably will not do. Several colleges are being sued for their quasi-judicial proceedings being patently unfair, but until they start to lose in court, odds are, you’ll get nowhere.</p>
<p>Plus the fact that a big part of this story seems to be missing. OP is not telling us the whole story, something else had to have happened other than what he’s told us. Yes, OP needs an attorney, but he may also be guilty of whatever it is he’s been accused of.</p>
<p>Curious story.
Alcohol is a depressant and marijuana is generally relaxing, so exactly what occurred during this panic attack to expel OP?</p>
<p>I was sent to the hospital that night to be monitored. Everyone esle involve in the incident has only received probation. The university determined that I was affecting the learning environment, and that I needed to attend rehab to be able to return. Technically I’m not in any trouble with the law since I did not have possession of marijuana or alcohol on my person or in my room. The school being a Catholic university has a zero-tolerance use, possesion, and distribution of any drugs.</p>
<p>You don’t have to answer but people are curious; you still haven’t said what you DID during this panic attack. You wrote that you used alcohol and marijuana and were sent to a hospital for monitoring. But what actually happened DURING the panic attack. Breaking into a campus building? Running into traffic? Throwing objects at windows? Threatening someone? Calling 911? Hallucinations?</p>
<p>If the other people only received probation, was it because you supplied the group with the substances?</p>
<p>What is the reason the school is dismissing YOU. In other words…what did you do as grounds for dismissal? Underage drinking and smoking pot? </p>
<p>Yes. What did you <em>do</em> that caused the school to put you under observation?</p>