At the meeting with the dean you want to accomplish a few things. You want to get a copy of their rules. They cannot simply expel without warning or a hearing. If they failed to follow those rules, they should self reverse.

You also want them to agree to a Probation period as a compromise and allow her to proceed to raise her grades in the coming term.

If there was a reason for the decline in grades such as health or family issues, that should be raised. Usually this accomplishes the result you want.

If they refuse the above, you may arrange a second meeting with a lawyer on your side.

The following step would be a civil lawsuit seeking reinstatement for violation of their internal rules, but it should not come to that.

You want to seek their internal rules and show they were not followed. You also want to make her case a human one that can be remedied and the reason for the problem is a common one which admin should be well aware of and which often happens and self corrects with students bouncing back to graduate with honors. You should emphsize her potential, enthusiasm, the change in her behavior, the plan for improvement and seek a compromised semester of probation. Give them a specific plan so they are left inclined to agree.

I would begin without a lawyer and see if it can be resolved. If they dont work with you, then the next meeting should be with a lawyer. If that arises, you can find an excellent local lawyer with experience in education law through martindale.com and findlaw.com - directories lawyers use. Wish you best of luck. Often these issues resolve favorably without needing a lawyer. Enjoy the rest of the weekend and best of luck to her with her studies. I finished my undergrad at columbia and had friends at NYU who enjoyed their time there very much. Take care. Kindly favorably rate the answer.

I would make reference to it generally in explaining the reason for her grades. This puts matters in perspective and helps show that there were a few missteps that will be fixed rather than an academic inability to handle the work. Good luck. when ready, please favorably rate the answer so I may get credit for it.