Disruptive Students

Summary

Disruptive student conduct is defined as student behavior or a pattern of behavior that interferes with a positive educational atmosphere, the civil exchange of ideas, classroom/campus order or may endanger the safety of students and staff.  The Board policy Disruptive Student  Behavior and these procedures identify the progressive steps designed to remedy situations in which a student’s behavior is judged to be disruptive or threatening.  If the behavior is such that the faculty/staff member reasonably fears immediate harm, then campus police should be called and Board Policy Student Violation of College Rules and Regulations will be followed.

Procedures

Disruptive conduct taints the educational atmosphere and may endanger the safety of students and staff. Accordingly, when student conduct creates a serious enough disruption such that the only reasonable solution is removal of the student, a student may be temporarily removed from a class/campus area, permanently removed from the class/campus area, or expelled from class/campus. All persons involved in implementing this policy and procedure should exercise caution to ensure that the behavior is severe enough to warrant the response and that the student is afforded appropriate due process consisting of notice and an opportunity to be heard. 
The Disruptive Student policy and accompanying procedures assume that the faculty/staff will make every attempt to resolve this issue with the student through such informal methods as individual conferences and/or written messages. If these informal methods have not met with success, the following formal procedures will be implemented: 

1. 1. The student will be verbally warned by the faculty or staff member that the student's behavior is considered to be disruptive (describe the behavior to which the faculty/staff member is referring) and that if the student continues the behavior, he/she will be asked to leave the class/ campus area. 
   2. If the student persists with the disruptive behavior, the faculty/staff member can then ask the student to leave the class or campus area. At this time the faculty/staff must warn the student that failure to leave may result in police intervention. The faculty/staff must indicate whether the suspension is just for that day or if the student must appeal to the appropriate academic Associate Dean/Supervisor to reenter the class/campus area.
   3. If after the previous verbal warnings, the student continues to demonstrate disruptive behavior, the faculty/staff has the option to summon the appropriate police agency who will have the option of arresting the student for criminal trespass, if necessary. The faculty/staff member's request for the student to leave provides the police agency with sufficient probable cause to effect an arrest.
   4. The faculty/staff will notify his/her academic Associate Dean or immediate supervisor in writing within twenty-four (24) hours of any removal from the class/campus area. The written report must include the student's identity and the behavior that was considered to be disruptive and witnesses to the behavior. Sufficient detail must be provided to allow the academic Associate Dean/Supervisor to assess whether or not the policy and this procedure was followed.
   5. Upon receipt of this notice, the academic Associate Dean/Supervisor must immediately attempt to contact the student by phone, with a follow-up by e-mail, notifying him/her of the opportunity to explain the incident from the student's point of view. In addition, this notice will include the date by which the student must respond back to the academic Associate Dean/Supervisor (or designee) or else forfeit his/her right to appeal. Generally, the student will be given three (3) class* days to respond in person, by phone, or mail (postmarked).
   6. Within twenty-four (24) hours of the conclusion of the meeting to review the removal, the academic Associate Dean/Supervisor will decide if the removal was justified. The academic Associate Dean/Supervisor may find it necessary to consult with other College employees, students, or records for additional information upon which to base his/her decision. The academic Associate Dean/Supervisor may support or deny the removal, or make other arrangements for the student.
   7. Expulsion from the college is an extraordinary remedy that must be approved by the academic Associate Dean/Supervisor, the appropriate Dean, and either the Vice President of Instruction or the Vice President of Student and Educational Services.
   8. The decision will be conveyed to the student and the faculty/staff member who caused the removal as soon as possible, either in person or by phone or e-mail. A written confirmation of the decision will be sent to both the staff member and the student within three (3) class days.
   9. Within three (3) class days of the receipt of the written decision, the student or the faculty/staff member may appeal the decision in person, by phone, by e-mail or in writing to the appropriate decision maker (identified in the written decision) whose decision will be final. 
   10. Each step of the process should proceed as quickly as possible, while maintaining fairness and objectivity.

Participation
Full- and part-time faculty (including Administrative/Professional and Support staff who teach) and other College employees who may witness or be subjected to disruptive behavior by a student.

Revision/review dates
4/12