Student Conduct in the Classroom: What Faculty Need to Know

What is considered disruptive behavior?

• Being late, reading the paper, sleeping in class
• Making noises, repeatedly interrupting
• Passing notes, answering cell phone
• Harassing behavior, personal insults, inappropriate language 
• Refusal to comply with faculty or staff direction
• Persistent and unreasonable demands for time and attention both in and out of the classroom
• Demands for services unrelated to the unit
• Unwillingness to cooperate when a solution is being sought

What is NOT considered disruptive behavior?

• Cultural differences 
• Most disagreements or differences of opinion 
• Situational frustration 
• Needing extra time or attention for a special reason

Can I remove a student from my class because of disruptive behavior? 

• Yes, but only for that class period. The student has the right to return to the next class period as long as the student exhibits appropriate behavior.
• You need to fill out an incident report online so it can be addressed by SCCS.

When should I call the police?

• Physical threats or actions 
• When the student refuses to leave the classroom as instructed
• Fill out an incident report online. SCCS will receive information from UPD, but only information they determine after arriving on scene

When can I administratively withdraw a student? 

• WSU’s policy for administrative withdraw is outlined in the Course Catalog
• It does not allow for withdraw by faculty, only Dean of college
• Very specific situations must apply in order to administratively withdraw a student

In any situation, it is important to document everything. Incident reports can be found on our website.

• When did it happen?
• Where did it happen?
• Who was present?
• What specifically happened?
• What did you do?
• Any information you can recall, will be helpful in working through the disciplinary process

Some information adapted from: http://oregonstate.edu/studentconduct/faculty/disruptivebehavior.php

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