A Guide for Faculty Members at

 

Delgado Community College

 

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contacting the Offce of Student Life and Judicial Affairs to

response. This brochure has been designed by the Offce of

Student Life and Judicial Affairs to help you assess problem

defnes disruptive behavior as:

Any student who displays intentional obstruction or

disruption of teaching, research, administration, disciplinary

procedure, or other authorized college event;

Any student who displays physical abuse or threat thereof

against any person on campus or at any college authorized

event, or other conduct which threatens or endangers the

health and safety of any such person;

Any student who displays conduct which adversely affects

the student’s suitability as a member of the academic

community (such as drunkenness, use of profanity, or

disorderly conduct).

Answering cell phones and having pagers beep.

Interrupting lectures and talking without being called on.

Leaving and entering the classroom without permission.

(Reporting to class late)

Threatening or verbally insulting the professor or other

students.

Borrowing text books or other class materials while class

is in session.

Basically just being loud and distracting.

Suggestions for Prevention of Classroom Disruption

Remember that as a faculty member, you have the prerogative to

establish and enforce reasonable behavioral standards for each

of your classes. The following suggestions may be helpful:

Include course and behavioral norms and expectations for

you and your students in the syllabus. You should include

a copy of the Student Judicial Code as part of the syllabus.

On the frst day of class, ask your students what they think

the behavioral norms and expectations should be, add

their suggestions to your list. You will fnd that students are

often the strongest supporters of classroom decorum.

Discuss these norms and expectations with your students,

so they can gain an in-depth understanding of how they

should act in your class.

Draw up a “contract” on classroom behavior, including

academic integrity, and ask students to read and sign it the

frst week of class.

Serve as a role model and exhibit the type of behavior you

expect from your students.

to the safety of himself/

herself or others, becomes physically or verbally abusive,

Campus Police should be contacted immediately and a report

should be submitted to Offce of Student Life and Judicial Affairs.

It is often a mistake to assume that aggressive behavior will stop

on its own. Always err on the side of safety.

is important to deal with the behavior in calm, courteous, and

direct fashion before it escalates. During class, you may frst

make a general comment, such as, “We have too many private

conversations going on at this time; let’s focus on the same

topic.” If the disruptive behavior does not cease, you may ask

a particular student to refrain from the disruptive behavior and

ask that he/she come to see you after class, so you can address

the problem in private. When you meet with the student, explain

why you consider this type of behavior inappropriate, stress your

behavioral expectations for your students, and warn the student

that further occurrences of disruptive behavior may result in

disciplinary action.

Offce of Student Life and Judicial Affairs (504)483-4454

or the student exhibits a different

disruptive behavior, the student should be given a verbal as

well as written warning regarding possible consequences of

continued behavior. The written warning should

be copied

to your Department Chair and The Offce of Student Life and

Judicial Affairs. It should contain only factual and descriptive

information. Utilize form 1448/001 contained in Docushare to

report incidents not requiring Delgado’s police assistance.

and is posing a threat

to the safety of others you may ask the student to leave the

class. If the student refuses to leave, you may call campus Police

for assistance. A disruptive student who is asked to leave or who

is removed from class should, as soon as practicable, be given

the opportunity to meet with you to discuss his/her behavior. You

may meet with the student alone, or with the Offce of Student

Life and Judicial Affairs or with your Department Chair. The

behavior also should be documented utilizing form 1448/001

and reported to Offce of Student Life. A disruptive student may

not be permanently removed from class without a formal judicial

hearing; therefore, it is essential that you work with The Offce of

Student Life and Judicial Affairs before taking this step.

Any information you learn while speaking privately with the

disruptive student should be handled in a confdential manner.

You only may discuss the case with campus offcials who have a

legitimate educational interest such as your Department Chair or

the Judicial Offcer. The privacy of a student’s educational record

(i.e.: grades, reports of misconduct, etc.) is protected under the

Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974.

What Happens if You Refer a Student to the

Offce of Student Life and Judicial Affairs?

If the Offce of Student Life and Judicial Affairs receives a report

of misconduct, the student will be asked to meet with the Judicial

Offcer for a Resolution Conference. If the complaint cannot be

resolved through the Resolution Conference process, the case

will be referred to the Campus Judicial Committee. Should a

case go to a hearing, you will be asked to be present and provide

information. If the Judicial Committee fnds that the allegations

have merit, it can impose sanctions ranging from Probation to

Expulsion from the college without privilege of re-admission.