Suggestions for Handling Disruptive Student Behavior in the Classroom

 Student Judicial Affairs

Oklahoma State University

326 Student Union

405-744-5470

 

OSU supports freedom of expression and inquiry between faculty and students.  However, inappropriate disruptive behavior in the classroom need not be tolerated.  The following information is provided for faculty to inform you of OSU's position about disruptive student behavior.

 

Student Rights and Responsibilities Governing Student Behavior, Section III, Subsection 27, contains the following definition:

 

            Classroom Disruption - behavior a reasonable person would view as

            substantially or repeatedly interfering with the instructor's ability to teach

            the class or the ability of other students to benefit from the instructional

            program.

 

Further in the Rights and Responsibilities document, Section IX, Subsection C, addresses student/faculty relations, classroom activities, and the University's responsibility to provide a satisfactory learning environment.  The last paragraph of this section states:

 

            It is the responsibility of the student to conform to conduct conducive to

            learning by being prepared, prompt, attentive, and courteous in the

            classroom and by conforming to policies set forth by the teacher to maintain

            an academic decorum.

 

Faculty members have the responsibility and the authority to maintain a productive educational environment in the classroom.  Students’ constant idle chit-chat, use of profanity or threatening language, routinely coming to class late or leaving early, inappropriate interruptions, personal insults, etc. need not be tolerated.  A proactive approach to the problem is to include an expectation statement of student behavior in the course syllabus and to discuss these expectations with students early in the semester.

 

If a student’s behavior is negatively affecting the learning environment in the classroom, consider the listed options and follow the procedures:

 

1.         Confront the disrespectful behavior.  Depending on the severity of the behavior:

            a.   Consider a general word of caution to the whole class rather than warning a particular student (i.e. “we have too many conversations         
                  going on, let’s stick to today’s topic”).

b.   Ask the student to meet with you after class or during office hours.

c.   Tell the student to stop the behavior and/or ask him/her to leave the class immediately.

 

2.         When meeting with the student, clearly state the behavior causing the disruption and give the student an opportunity to respond.  Hopefully
            some agreement can be reached which should be documented in writing, including what action will follow should the disruptive behavior
            continue. Some consequences to consider:1) filing a written complaint in with Student Judicial Affairs; 2) not allowing the student to return to
            class until he/she has met with the Coordinator; 3) recommending that the student be placed on conduct probation and 4) in very extreme
            cases, recommending that the student be dismissed from the class.

 

3.                  If you have talked with the student on more than one occasion, document the incident(s) in a memo or letter to the student.  The letter can be  
            one of warning or a summary of your meeting with the student.  The letter should include a description of the problem behavior(s), your
            expectations for the future, and what will happen if problems continue.

 

4.         If the student behavior is of a threatening nature to you or other students, call the OSU Police at 744-6523.

 

5.         Make a dated written anecdotal note for yourself of any discussion, incidents or action taken in case the disruptive behavior persists.

 

It is important that you effectively document the situation and interactions with the student. Effective documentation in this kind of situation has the following components:

·        Context (reconstruct your actions, conversations with the student)

·        Chronology (dates and times)

·        Reflects due process (you have given the student an opportunity to tell his/her side of the story, respond to your observations)

      ·        Reflects student awareness (follow-up e-mail to the student that documents he/she has received information on the incident[s], warning letter   
            to the student that the student signs)

·        Cross references any previously-related documentation (previous letters)

 

Grades are earned by students for work assigned and cannot be used as a penalty for inappropriate classroom behavior.

 

When a student is referred to Student Judicial Affairs because of classroom behavior problems, the Coordinator of Student Judicial Affairs discusses classroom behavior expectations with the student and asks him/her to agree to the expectations.  The meeting is confirmed with a follow-up letter.  The letter reinforces the desired change in behavior and clearly states that further disruptive classroom behavior could lead to more severe action, including probation, suspension, or expulsion from the University.

 

Please call Student Judicial Affairs when a referral is being made so that you and the Coordinator of Student Judicial Affairs can talk about how best to meet your needs.  We have had good success at OSU with the guidelines in this memo.  Addressing the issue early maintains the quality of the classroom environment and may avoid more serious problems later.

If you have additional questions, please call Dr. Tawny Taylor, Coordinator of Student Judicial Affairs, at 744-5470.

 

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