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Recommendations for Handling Disruptive Classroom Behavior
What constitutes disruptive behavior in a college environment? This may depend on the size and nature of the class, but in general, classroom disruption generally refers to behavior a reasonable person would view as substantially or repeatedly interfering with an educational environment. Faculty and student response to disruptions can range from annoyance to fear. Repeat offenses can turn something that started out as irritating into something that should be documented and reported to the Office of Student Conduct, or even to the Campus Police department.
Examples of student disruptive behaviors include:
- Persistent interruptions
- Excessive arguing / disputing / monopolizing class time
- “Side conversations”
- Coming to class late or leaving early without permission
- Using electronic devices, such as cell phones or MP3 players
- Sleeping in class
- Eating or drinking in class
- Poor personal hygiene
- Use of profane or obscene language
The Code of Conduct (available in printed form and on the Student Affairs web site) provides guidelines, definitions, procedures, and sanctions. Specific regulations related to disruptive classroom behavior include:
- II.Zero Tolerance: Sexual harassment, lewd or indecent behavior…
- V.A.1. Intoxicated/ impaired behaviors...
- V.A.5. Physical abuse, verbal abuse, threats, intimidation...
- V.A.11. Interfering with normal College or College-sponsored activities or services, including studying, teaching, learning…
- V.A.14. Failure to comply with the direction of College Officials acting in performance of their duties…
Any situation which elicits fear for the safety of the faculty member or students in the class should result in a call to the Campus Police department (2185/911) for immediate assistance. Examples include: harassment, threats, intoxication, and physical altercations. Documentation of the incident will be made by Campus Police and the faculty member, and be reported to the Office of Student Conduct and the Division Assistant Dean.
Faculty members can address disruptions in a number of ways, depending on the degree of disruption and number of times incidents have occurred. A statement on conduct in the syllabus, along with reference to the Code of Conduct, is a first step in establishing classroom behavioral expectations (“ground rules”), such as raising one’s hand to ask a question, attendance and tardy policies, cell phones turned off, eating in class, etc. Reviewing those expectations during the first class period is essential. Another option is to ask students for input regarding appropriate rules for class behavior. Some faculty prefer seating charts; some find that getting to know students by name is helpful; anonymous student feedback may help them feel involved.
After establishing clear guidelines, if disruptions do occur, faculty can try these techniques:
- Remain calm!
- Make a general statement to the whole class, such as “Let’s discontinue any behavior that is distracting and focus on our topic.”
- If the behavior does not cease, direct your comment to the student(s) involved, using name(s) and specific behavior(s).
- Ask the student(s) to see you after class.
- Ask the student to leave the room and to come see you during your office hours. When the student comes to see you, advise the student that the disruption in being reported to the Office of Student Conduct, or indicate that the next incident will result in that action.
- You may want to ask one of the Student Conduct officers or your Division Assistant Dean to join you in a discussion with the student.
- Report the incident to the Office of Student Conduct, and tell the student that he/she may not return to class until the issue is resolved.
DOCUMENTATION: It is important to document all warnings regarding disruptive behavior, with the date and time of each occurrence, in case you need to submit a Conduct report after repeated incidents. Student Conduct Complaint forms are also available on the Student Affairs web site, and one is attached.
DUE PROCESS: Once a report is filed, an informal hearing will be held between the student and the Conduct Officer. If resolution is reached, and sanctions are agreed upon (by the student, the instructor, and the Conduct Officer) then the student may return to class. The result will be given in writing to the student, DAD, and faculty member, and will be kept on file in the Student Conduct office. A contract or agreement regarding expectations, signed by the student, is recommended.
Hearing and appeals procedures are outlined in the Code of Conduct.
If the nature of the offense warrants permanent removal from class, and/or suspension from the College, conditions will be outlined regarding future enrollment. In extreme cases, students are trespassed from campus for a period of time, or permanently expelled.
Trust your gut feelings! If you are having trouble with student behaviors in the classroom, or feel that a student may harm self or others, report this to your DAD, the Student Conduct office, or Campus Police.
