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See Also Student Code of Conduct, Part D, items 13, 15, 19, 21, Appendix I
Procedure for Dealing with Disruptive Students
Disruptive students interfere with the learning process and education mission of the college. Students are obligated to abide by the Student Code of Conduct and all local, state, and federal laws. The Student Conduct Code, instituted by the Board of Regents, can be found under “Policy on Student Discipline” and “Policy on Student Rights” in the Housatonic Community College Student Handbook. Students also are obligated to abide by the standards and expectations of proper classroom decorum as established by faculty in their class syllabi.
Disruptive students will be subject to immediate disciplinary intervention by the Office of the Dean of Students. In the event of an incident, faculty members are advised to follow the established college procedure for dealing with disruptive students:
- The instructor should inform the disruptive student, either verbally or in writing, that such behavior is unacceptable in the classroom, and that the student may be removed from the class for either that day (by the instructor) or the rest of the semester (by the Dean of Students’ Office only) if the behavior continues. The verbal warning may take place privately or in the presence of others as witnesses. Faculty members are encouraged to consult with the Dean of Students Office for guidance in providing such feedback to the student.
- The instructor simultaneously should inform the Dean of Students and the Department Chair person via memo or email regarding the feedback to the student in question. The professor may request that the Dean of Students or a designee meet with the student to discuss the student’s behavior and potential disciplinary consequences of further disruptive behavior and to reiterate that the professor has full authority in the classroom. A behavior contract may be developed by the faculty for the student, with the assistance of the Dean of Students or a designee. Where and when appropriate, the college does attempt to mediate/counsel a student prior to taking formal disciplinary action.
- If the student’s behavior continues to be disruptive, the professor has the option of requesting the formal discipline process be implemented to remove the student from the class and, if warranted, from the college. This request should be made to the Dean of Students and the Department Chair person via email or memo. However, if the disruptive behavior is of such a nature that the professor cannot gain control of the class, or the safety and welfare of the instructor or students are in jeopardy, the instructor should immediately contact Campus Security by using the classroom/office phone and dialing x5025, by dialing ** on a campus phone, or by pressing the blue light emergency call buttons located in the hallways throughout the facility.
The college will address any behavior deemed to be inappropriate and disruptive in accordance with the policies set forth by the Board of Regents, including the policies on Sexual Harassment, Racism and Acts of Intolerance, and Violence Prevention and Response. Any questions or concerns about disruptive students and the disciplinary procedure should be directed to the Dean of Students’ Office at 332-5184.
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