FAMU

[Butters Stotch]

The GradeBook – Your daily report on education news

An Orlando lawyer is preparing a lawsuit on behalf of
several students who were recently academically
dismissed from the FAMU College of Law. After the
students complained, FAMU offered appeals hearings two
weeks ago, but they were not the "evidentiary"
hearings laid out in the student handbook, said
attorney David Maxwell (left), who attended the
hearings with six of his student-clients. Two of those
students were allowed to continue their studies, but
the other four were not, despite having academic
records that were as good or better, Maxwell said.

Among other points, Maxwell told The Gradebook the
suit will allege the law school is not complying with
American Bar Association accreditation standards. (The
law school, of course, is still seeking full
accreditation. ) He said he's had inquiries from other
dismissed students, and is considering a class-action
suit. Potential defendants include FAMU, the ABA and
the U.S. Department of Education, he said.

- Ron Matus, state education reporter

September 12, 2007

I'm not sure there's a cause of action here.

Many schools academically dismiss students every year, no?  (that is, the ones without B or higher curves)

[cui bono?]

The GradeBook – Your daily report on education news

An Orlando lawyer is preparing a lawsuit on behalf of
several students who were recently academically
dismissed from the FAMU College of Law. After the
students complained, FAMU offered appeals hearings two
weeks ago, but they were not the "evidentiary"
hearings laid out in the student handbook, said
attorney David Maxwell (left), who attended the
hearings with six of his student-clients. Two of those
students were allowed to continue their studies, but
the other four were not, despite having academic
records that were as good or better, Maxwell said.

Among other points, Maxwell told The Gradebook the
suit will allege the law school is not complying with
American Bar Association accreditation standards. (The
law school, of course, is still seeking full
accreditation. ) He said he's had inquiries from other
dismissed students, and is considering a class-action
suit. Potential defendants include FAMU, the ABA and
the U.S. Department of Education, he said.

- Ron Matus, state education reporter

September 12, 2007

I'm not sure there's a cause of action here.

Many schools academically dismiss students every year, no?  (that is, the ones without B or higher curves)

True.  But I do think there's something wrong with forced curves where someone's kicked out at the end.  And why let some ppl back in but not others?  Seems arbitrary.  Seems like a case of CYA on the school's part.  I think if you're gonna have a standard where you kick people out, just kick them out.  That way it isn't in the hands of a select few which could give rise to corruption.  Seems like something's up in Florida b/c FAMU isn't the only school with disgrutled students taking legal action.