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
- 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.
- 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.
- Some
disruptive behavior can be dealt with by the instructor engaging in informal
conversation with the student in a private place.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
-
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.