Classroom Disruptions

Both instructors and students have a right to an educational environment which is conducive to learning. It is the responsibility of instructors to create and maintain this environment in individual classes. If individual students engage in behavior that is disruptive of this educational environment (i.e. Student Code of Conduct, violation of item #3), it may be necessary for them to be temporarily or permanently removed from the class. Students who are removed from class have a right to due process procedures to ensure fair treatment in such circumstances.

Nothing in these guidelines is intended to infringe upon the academic freedom of instructor or student. Two fundamental principles which should be observed include:

1. Students have the right to express opinions germane to the subject matter of a course;
2. Instructors have the right to guide classroom discussion and to set reasonable limits on the classroom time made available to students for the expression of their opinions.

The responsibility for striking a balance between these principles rests with instructors.

Conflict Management Services (CMS) staff may assist at any step in this process at either party’s request.

Defining Disruptive Behavior

Disruptive behavior is defined in the Madison College Code of Student Conduct as:

Acts that impair, interfere with, or obstruct the orderly conduct, processes and functions of the College or the rights of other members of the College community. This includes acts that occur both inside and outside the classroom setting. Classroom disruption is behavior a reasonable person would view as substantially or repeatedly interfering with faculty’s ability to teach or student’s right to learn.

“Students are responsible to interact in ways that will not interfere with the educational process and/or any Madison College sponsored activity. Class disruptions are considered an interference with the educational process.”

Common Disruptive Behaviors

Some examples of disruptive behavior are identified below. This is not a complete or exhaustive list and other behaviors may be included:

• Persistent late arrival or departure that disrupts the class
• Repeated cell phone use
• Talking out of place during class
• Loud and/or frequent interruption of class flow with inappropriate questions or remarks
• Persistent contact outside of class that hampers your ability to do normal work or assist other students
• Belligerent behavior once confronted
• Verbal and/or physical threats
• Threatening emails, letters, or voicemails
• Inappropriate contact at your home
• Any behavior indicating a romantic or obsessive interest
• Distressing or disturbing behaviors

Guidelines to establish appropriate behavior standards in the classroom

Formal Procedures for Dealing with Disruptive Behavior

If a student is disruptive in class, the instructor will talk with the student informally outside of class to articulate the problem and expectations clearly, yet diplomatically. Under most circumstances, the instructor will address the behavioral disruptions outside of class. However, in some instances, it may be necessary to dismiss the student from class immediately for that class period only and discuss the matter after class. The instructor is strongly encouraged to document the meeting and all other activity for all steps of the process. The submission of a Behavioral Intervention Team report may be done at the instructor’s discretion.

If a student commits an illegal act or engages in threatening behavior, the severity of the disruption may require that the instructor proceed immediately to Step 3 to have the student removed from class. This can happen at ANY time if the actions of the student are illegal and/or threatening. In such circumstances, Public Safety should be notified and a Behavioral Intervention Team report should be submitted.

If the disruptive behavior continues over time, the student is dismissed from the class until the issue can be resolved at a formal meeting between the student, instructor, dean or designee, and one college representative chosen by the student for support, if desired. A Behavioral Intervention Team report MUST be submitted to document any/all behavioral-based dismissals from class.

It is the responsibility of the instructor to schedule this meeting within three working days of removal of the student from class. Meeting participants negotiate a plan of action to resolve the problem. The student and instructor sign the plan, and the student is readmitted to class.

If the student is unwilling or unable to follow the plan developed in Step 2 or to curtail disruptive behavior, the student is dismissed from class or removed by Madison College Public Safety personnel. If the faculty member feels that there is an immediate threat, 9-911 should be called, then Madison College Public Safety at (608) 243-4357. The situation is now considered a formal violation of the Student Code of Conduct. The instructor is advised to direct his/her dean to initiate the Student Code of Conduct procedures as outlined. A Behavioral Intervention Team report MUST be submitted to document any/all behavioral-based dismissals from class. 

Faculty seeking more detailed information regarding these procedures may contact Conflict Management Services, (608) 246-6076.