Student Life

 Disruptive behavior is often repeated and continuous, and can include:

• monopolizing discussions
• talking
• changing subjects
• late entrance/early leaving
• sleeping
• eating
• passing notes 

 The following are examples of effective syllabus policies:

• Cell phones and pagers must be turned off during class.  If you have a special need, please speak to me before class.
• Students will not be allowed to eat in class without prior instructor approval.  

Prevent disruptions with these tips:

• Find out what the students want out of the class, and make your own expectations clear. Many disruptions occur because students do not feel they understand what the professor wants.
• Get to know the students by name. Students are less likely to create disruptions if the professor knows who they are. 
• Be a role model for the behavior you expect from your students.  For example, if you are sarcastic in class, then sarcasm will be seen as acceptable within the classroom.
• Be careful about creating too much informality.
• Set the tone and expectations early in the class.  It is hard to impose new rules after the class is underway, but you can always ease up on rules that have already been established.  
• Request occasional, anonymous feedback from the students on how the class is going.  This gives the students a sense of empowerment and allows you to discover if you are reaching the class. 

The following are effective de-escalation strategies:

• Stand right next to the offender.
• Stop and wait for the students to settle down before proceeding with the lesson.
• Adjust your teaching style, which can be done by implementing group work if students are disrupting the traditional lecture.
• Be direct with the students and calmly ask them to stop.
• In serious situations, ask the student to leave the room and meet with you in your office during office hours.
• Be positive rather than negative.
• Stay calm and do not become defensive.
• Document everything.

The meeting

Selecting an appropriate location for the meeting is important to ensure you protect yourself from any potential danger or career-damaging allegations. Consider:

• using a conference room where others will witness the meeting without hearing the discussion
• having another person present with you in the room, such as a department chair or colleague

When conducting the meeting, remember the following tips to ensure a smooth and successful consultation:

• Lead discussions that focus on the positive rather than negative.
• Identify what it is the student is doing to disrupt the classroom.
• Make sure to clearly express your expectations for behavior.
• Stay calm and do not become defensive.
• Be respectful and remove yourself and personal feelings from the incident.
• Document everything.

After the meeting

Give the student a letter or a memorandum containing:

• a summary of meeting
• the future expectations you have for the student
• a summary of the understandings and agreements made during the meeting
• a discussion of future consequences or actions if the disruptive behavior persists

Send a copy of this document to your Department Chair and the Office of Student Life.

Our office will talk with you and with the student, and make a determination if the student violated the Code of Conduct. He or she may receive a warning or other sanctions.

Due process

When you decide to deal with a student by involving the Office of Student Life, the student has certain basic rights under due process:

• Students have the right to written notification of the problem. (This is helpful for you as well, because it helps focus the conversation.)
• Students have the right to respond to any allegation and to share their perspective.
• Students have the right to confidentiality.  You should not discuss the situation with other faculty unless you make reasonable efforts to conceal the identity of the student.       
• Students have the right to have an adviser or support person with them when they meet with you. (Please note that you have the right to speak with the student and not with the adviser.)
• Students have the right to be notified in writing of any decisions or sanctions that are imposed.
• Students have the right to appeal certain sanctions.  If your decision is to administratively remove the student from the class or fail them, you must notify them that they have the right to appeal that decision to the Department Chair or the Dean.  

It may be that the disruptive behavior is related to a legitimate disability that requires some accommodation.  Indications of a disability could include indications or statements:

• that he or she cannot keep up with you in class
• that he or she cannot comprehend the reading
• that there are too many distractions in the room
• of misunderstanding or inability to comprehend the material