Author: Nadine Ashton

Summary and Scope

This policy covers the process for addressing disruptive student behavior in classrooms and campus environments outside of the classroom (computer labs, shared studios, Library, student support offices, academic shops, Canvas, CCS email usage, etc.). This policy is meant to supplement the Code of Student Conduct and CCS Judicial Process found in the Student Handbook. This policy is not intended to address overt threats of violence or violent behavior. In the event an overt threat of violence or a violent action is taken by a student, Campus Safety should immediately be contacted to remove the student from the space and notify the Dean of Students or other CCS judicial officer as defined in the CCS Judicial Process.

Definition

Disruptive behavior in the classroom or campus environment is defined as behavior that significantly limits the ability of the instructor to teach or the other students to learn or for academic tasks to be completed.  Examples of disruptive behavior include but are not limited to:

• Excessive disrespect of other students or the instructor (including but not limited to insults, personal attacks or verbal threats);
• Creating excessive and intentionally disruptive noise;
• Repeated use of obscenities;
• Failure to follow instructor directions;
• Repeatedly leaving and returning to the classroom without extenuating circumstances such as illness;
• Frequent interruptions/inhibiting other students from participating in classroom discussions;
• Distracting behaviors like phone calls, personal side conversations, use of technology for non-academic purposes.

Procedure

Disruptive behavior should first be addressed by the faculty member (classroom) or appropriate staff person (campus environment) at the time the disruption occurs. If the disruptive behavior continues, the following steps should be taken in order:

1. An explanation of what behaviors are occurring and why they are unacceptable in the current environment should be provided to the student verbally. This should be done as soon as the disruptive behavior begins but does not need to occur outside of the classroom or academic environment. A simple statement such as “Student, you are interrupting and talking over your classmates, please allow other voices to be heard” may be sufficient.
2. If the disruptive behavior continues after the initial intervention 
   • In the classroom, the student should be told to leave class and return at the next scheduled class time. This should be marked as an absence by the faculty member. 
   • In a campus environment, the student should be told to leave the space and may return during the next normal period of access (typically the next day).
3. As soon as possible, after a student is removed from the classroom or campus environment the faculty member or relevant staff member should send an email to the Department Chair (if applicable) and the Dean of Students. This email will be used as the reporting format for the judicial process and should include:
   • Name of the disruptive student;
   • Date and time of incident;
   • Detailed description of the incident;
   • Preferred method of communication for follow-up.
4. A follow-up conversation will happen between the faculty member/staff member and the Department Chair and/or the Dean of Students to determine next steps and potential outcomes.
5. The Dean of Students will then meet with the student to learn any additional relevant information pertaining to the documented situation. If the student is permitted to return to the classroom or campus environment it is with the understanding that the disruptive behavior will cease and the student will be on judicial probation. Faculty/Staff will be notified if the student will be returning to the classroom prior to the next scheduled class session or environment availability by the Dean of Students and under what conditions they will be allowed to return.
6. If the disruptive behavior continues after the steps outlined above, the continued disruption should be documented in the same manner outlined in step 3 for additional follow up. Follow-up may include other leadership team members as appropriate.
7. If the disruptive behavior constitutes a repeated offense or the first instance is potentially severe enough to warrant removal from the class or permanent loss of access to an campus environment, the Dean of Students will reach that determination in consultation with the appropriate Academic Dean and Vice President for Enrollment and Student Services based on the information provided by the faculty/staff member and the information learned through the meeting between the Dean of Students and the Student. Faculty/Staff will be notified of the final outcome of this meeting prior to the next class session or environment availability.  If a student is removed from a course through this process, a grade of “W” will be entered into the student’s transcript.  Students are not eligible for a tuition refund when judicially removed from a course.

Faculty/Staff Rights and Responsibilities

• Faculty/Staff have the right to tell any disruptive student that they need to leave the classroom/space immediately.
• Faculty/Staff have the right to enlist the support of Campus Safety at any time to remove and/or support them in resolving a disruptive situation.
• Faculty/Staff have the right to ask for support from their Department Chair or supervisor in addressing disruptive behavior.
• Faculty/Staff have the right to request additional time with their Department Chair, supervisor, or Dean of Students to process or discuss the situation as needed.
• Faculty/Staff have the right to be informed if the student will be allowed to return to the class/academic environment and additional information about the judicial outcome as outlined in the Judicial Follow Up section.
• Faculty/Staff have the responsibility to address disruptive behavior as soon as possible.
• Faculty/Staff have the responsibility to document the incident in the manner outlined above as soon as possible.

Student Rights and Responsibilities

This policy is meant to supplement the Code of Student Conduct and CCS Judicial Process found in the Student Handbook. Additionally:

• Students have the right to attend classes and utilize campus environments free from disruption.
• Students have the right to report a disruption to the Dean of Students without going through the relevant faculty or staff member.
• Students have the right to a fair and impartial hearing process as outlined in the CCS Judicial Process.
• Students have the right to be held to equitable standards in all CCS environments.
• Students have the responsibility to engage with peers and CCS educators in a respectful and manner that is appropriate to our professional learning environment.
• Students have the responsibility to modify their behavior in an appropriate fashion in response to reasonable requests.

Judicial Follow-Up

CCS officials will respond to reports of disruptive behavior in line with the CCS Judicial Process.  If the disruptive behavior occurred in a campus space, a determination on temporary access will be made based on the student’s educational circumstances and nature of the disruption. Temporary access may be granted on a probationary basis. If the disruptive behavior occurs in the classroom, the judicial process may take more than one class session to resolve. Temporary classroom access restrictions will be determined in collaboration with the student and faculty member.

Notice will be provided by the Dean of Students to the reporting faculty/staff member regarding the final judicial outcome for the student. Full details of judicial sanctions may not be available to share with the reporting faculty/staff member but will include at a minimum whether the student is permitted to rejoin the class/return to the academic environment, any relevant probationary status, and relevant conditions/restriction for returning.