Disciplinary Action in Law School--C&F?

[opal]

Ok explain that in detail. When drafting these letters be sure to explain what it is you want.

You have had a bunch of statements about medications, records, etc, but I was unclear that was your ultimate goal. Getting your ultimate goal across is the number #1 priority.

You may also see if it is possible to transfer without graduating from your school. It is a step backwards, but it that is another way to get you to your ultimate goal of a J.D.

Don't get lost in the muck your goal is to graduate from law school end of story. There are three ways to accomplish that. (1) Restart at your current school and graduate, but this seems highly unlikely; (2) Be a visiting student at X school and graduate from your current school; (3) Transfer to a new school and lose credits.

Figure out the best way to get one of those three paths and leave the other stuff out of it. Your current dosage, your school not turning over records you requested, the names of your therapists, the details of the events that led to your suspension are not relevant to achieving your ultimate goal so don't bring them up.

I have to disclose the details of the events that led to my interim suspension.  The question on the application states: 
"Were you ever dropped, suspended, expelled, warned, placed on probation, or subject to any disciplinary action or charges at
any educational institution you attended? If the answer is yes, please detail the exact nature of the action and the dates on a
separate page or electronic attachment and enclose with your application."

[Citylaw]

Then ask for those dates in a separate letter and be as calm as possible.

Just simply say I would like to request my full student file so I can have the dates for my attempt to transfer as a visiting student. You don't need to say much more than that. If you go into accusatory language etc things don't go well.

So step 1 is get those dates and your student file. All that needs to happen is a simple request for your entire student file. You don't even need to go into specifics about what it is for. Keep it simple.

[opal]

I already politely requested all my educational records, and the school outright refused to release them to me.  So my account is just based on my hazy recollection of what transpired. 

[Citylaw]

Ask again politely.

In the real legal world plenty of people forget things and gentle reminder never hurts.

[opal]

A gentle reminder will hurt.  If I ask the school again I'll be slapped with criminal charges for harassment and possibly arrested.  Don't want to risk that and further reduce my chances of passing C&F. 

I know that under FERPA I am entitled to my educational records, but if I fight the school on this, I will infuriate them and not get readmitted. 

[Citylaw]

Ok. You will not be slapped with criminal charges as it is not a D.A's office, but if you want to make excuses that is your prerogative.

They will not press charges if you send an e-mail asking for your student file that you paid tuition for. 

If you want to write a pissed-off letter to the school, because your pissed off it is your life. If your ultimate goal is to actually continue your legal education then keep it simple and send an e-mail or call asking for your records.

Then work on an application to transfer or become a visiting student.

 

[opal]

I'm not making excuses.  I emailed and called the Dean's office politely numerous times back in February 2015 and the Dean outright refused to send me the records that I am entitled to and furthermore told me not to contact his office again.  No use in continuing to heckle the school I want to ask favors from.

Yes, the school is not a D.A.'s office, but what's stopping them from calling to police to come arrest me for harassment? My criminal record is currently clean as a whistle and I would like to keep it that way.  I don't want to risk any more harm to my C&F record, which is why I am communicating to them thru my parents/treatment providers.  I'm walking on very thin ice at the moment.  I don't think you fully grasp that.   

[Maintain FL 350]

I already politely requested all my educational records, and the school outright refused to release them to me.

Is that the whole story? You sent a polite request for you records, and in flagrant violation of federal law the school refused to comply based on personal animosity? What did their response actually say?

Do you owe unpaid tuition?

Is there a restraining order in effect which requires third party contacts?

I get the feeling that there are some missing pieces here. If indeed the school refused to turn over your records based on nothing more than bad feelings, then you need to talk to a lawyer.

BTW, the school can't have you charged or arrested based on nothing more than a letter that says "I would like to request my transcripts." That's not harassment. They can call the police, who will determine whether or not a threat/harassment occurred. If the communication is nothing more than a letter requesting transcripts, I don't see how that could be reasonably interpreted as harassment UNLESS there is a restraining order in place or the police have already advised you not to contact the school. Is that the case?

At this point, I think you should talk to a lawyer. Perhaps they can make the request on your behalf.

 

[Maintain FL 350]

I emailed and called the Dean's office politely numerous times back in February 2015 and the Dean outright refused to send me the records that I am entitled to and furthermore told me not to contact his office again.

"Numerous times."

The first time you requested your records, what did the Dean actually say? What reason did the Dean provide? I seriously doubt if no reason at all was provided. If the Dean provided a legitimate reason, then numerous subsequent contacts may have been considered harassing.

[Citylaw]

I also find it very unlikely a restraining order on e-mail was issued and if that is the case. You can certainly ask the court to request your records from the school.  That seems like a very easy request.

Believe it or not the school has bigger things to worry about and it is possible a request was made and they forgot to get to it, which is a mistake on their part. I buy that happening, but this entire institution set on denying you some paperwork for yourself? Unlikely, if that is the case then hire a lawyer.