What can Instructors do in Response to Disruptive Student Behavior?

Step One: Instructor Warns Student

When disruptive behavior occurs:

The instructor should warn the student. The warning will consist of orally notifying the student that (a) his/her behavior is disruptive, and (b) it must cease immediately, or else face removal from the classroom or other context, and/or be subject to other disciplinary action.
If the student fails to comply with the instructor’s warning, the instructor may require that the disruptive student immediately leave the classroom or area for the remainder of the class period/presentation. If the student refuses to leave, the instructor may summon Campus Safety to remove the student.
If the instructor believes that the student’s disruptive behavior poses an immediate threat to the safety of the instructor, the student, or any other students or persons, the instructor may summon Campus Safety to remove the student, regardless of whether a warning has been issued.
The instructor will decide whether the student will be allowed to return to the classroom or area. If the instructor chooses to allow the student to return to the class/presentation and continue in the course/event, the process is resolved.
If the instructor believes the student should not be permitted to return to the class to continue in that course, s/he should proceed to Step Two, below.

Step Two: Withdrawal Process

A. The Instructor

If the instructor decides that withdrawing the student from the course is necessary, s/he shall, within two (2) working days of the disruptive incident, provide the department chair with a written report of the disruptive incident(s).
If the instructor has the disruptive student in more than one class and decides that the student is disrupting learning in more than one of those classes, or exhibiting threatening and/or intimidating behavior outside the class (e.g., in the instructor’s office, outside the classroom), the instructor has the authority under this policy to initiate removal of the student from all courses taught by that instructor, with the signed approval of the Department Chair, Dean of the relevant school, or designee, or Provost.

B. Department Chair

Except for extenuating circumstances, the Department Chair will:

Notify the student in writing, via e-mail and campus mail/U.S. mail, within 2 days of receiving the instructor’s notice that the matter has been submitted to the Department Chair for a decision on whether the student should be removed from the course, and that s/he may not return to the class until the issue is resolved. This notice shall include a written description of the reported disruptive behavior and a copy of the Disruptive Student Conduct in the Classroom or Other Learning Environment Policy, which includes a description of the appeals process.
The student will also be informed that if s/he wishes to respond to the complaint, s/he must submit a written statement, within 2 days of receiving the Department Chairs notice, to the Department Chair and meet with the Department Chair within five 5 working days from the date of the written notice. The Department Chair’s contact information should be included.
The Department Chair should make her/himself available to meet with the student as soon as possible within 5 working days after written notice to the student.
Decide on the appropriate outcome and send notice of the decision to the student, explaining the basis for the decision. The decision may consist of
1. Allowing the student to return to course or courses, with or without conditions;
2. Allowing or requiring the student to transfer to another course section or sections; or
3. Withdrawing the student from the involved course or courses.
Notify the student via e-mail and Campus mail/U.S. mail of his/her decision within 5 working days of receiving the student’s response. If the Department Chair decides that the student should be removed from the involved course or courses, s/he will notify the Registrar and Dean of the appropriate school via email that the student should be withdrawn. A copy of the withdrawal email will be mailed to the student by the Department Chair via e-mail and Campus Mail/U.S. mail at the time the Department Chair’s written notice of his/her decision is sent. The Department Chair will also include notice that the student may appeal the decision by submitting a written appeal to the Dean of the of appropriate school or designee, detailing the basis of the student’s denial of the charges, within 5 working days from the date of the Department Chair’s written notice of his/her decision.

Step Three: The Appeals Process

The student may appeal the decision of the Department Chair in writing to the Dean of the relevant school or their designees, as appropriate. The student’s appeal must be received by the appropriate Dean or designee in writing within 5 working days of the date of the Department Chair’s decision. The decision shall be made and, except for extenuating circumstances, will be sent to the student within five 5 working days of receipt by the Dean or designee of the student’s appeal via e-mail and campus mail/U.S. mail.

Step Four: Final Resolution

According to college policy, students who are withdrawn from a course for disruptive behavior will receive a grade of W. If the charge of disruptive behavior is upheld, regardless of whether the student is allowed to return to the course, the student is responsible for any loss of tuition monies and/or financial aid. In the event a decision is made at any point in this process that the student was removed without sufficient cause, then the student will be allowed to immediately return to the course without penalty and the Department Chair will work with the student to facilitate the completion of any work missed. The Department Chair or appropriate Dean or designee, depending upon where the decision ends, will notify the Registrar’s Office and appropriate Dean’s Office of the final decision on the matter.

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Disruptive Student Conduct in the Classroom or Other Learning Environments