Each year we have a few students who become involved in inappropriate behavior
that can be disruptive in nature. Disruptive behavior may be a series of
actions that grow over several weeks, or a one-time incident. Inappropriate
behavior may include but not be limited to: overly argumentative, yelling,
inappropriate language, or making it difficult for other students to learn. The
disruption may be directed at the instructor, or another student.
Proactive measures the
instructor could take include:
·
Instructors should be
clear about expectations for classroom behavior. This includes writing
expectations for student behavior in to the syllabus.
·
Give students a verbal
overview of your expectations, and ask the class if they have any expectations
of each other.
·
Confront little
disruptions right away to demonstrate to the class you are holding them to your
expectations.
·
Starting the semester
with a brief discussion of appropriate classroom behavior (e.g. use of cell phones)
sets expectations for your particular class right from the beginning.
Responses to
disruptions
v Any time a student’s classroom behavior is
threatening towards any person (including the student him/her self), notify Protective
Services (x3456) or the Stevens Point Police Department (911) immediately call
and the student will be removed.
v Instructors should try to use de-escalating tone
of voice and language, assertively asking the student to stop the
behavior as opposed to ordering the student to stop.
v Some disruptive behavior can be dealt with by
the instructor engaging in informal conversation with the student in a private
place.
v The instructor may want to discuss the disruptive
behavior with the Dean of Students Office or a counselor
in the UWSP Counseling Center to discuss a plan to
stop the behavior.
v If the student continues to be disruptive:
o Inform the student that the displayed behavior
is disruptive and request the behavior to cease.
o If the behavior continues, request the student
to leave the classroom.
o If he or she refuses to leave, Protective
Services should be called to remove the student (x3456).
o For cases of repeated, blatant and clearly
irresolvable disruptive behaviors, instructors should document the situation
and contact the Dean of Students Office (715-346-2611). The Dean of Student
staff will consult with appropriate staff, the instructor, and the Academic
Dean’s Office in determining an appropriate response, which may include
initiating disciplinary proceedings.
v There may be situations occurring outside the classroom
where instructors feel threatened or very uncomfortable with a student’s
behavior. Instructors should report these situations to the Academic Deans
Office, Dean of Students Office, or Protective Service so appropriate
interventions can happen before the matter escalates.
v Once a disruption occurs, it is helpful for the
instructor to keep track of it, should a pattern develop. This can be simple
notes kept in the office; a word document saved secure location or emails sent
to one’s self.