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Faculty Resources Classroom Disruptions
Most inappropriate behavior can be handled by you, the faculty member, at the time of the disruption, however some may require consultation with The Office of Judicial Affairs, may result in intervention or might be in need of emergency response by University Police officials. This information has been developed to help you assess problem behaviors and make an educated determination of the appropriate course of action in individual cases of classroom disruption.
A disruptive student should be defined as any student who willfully, by use of coercion, threat, intimidation, violence, or force disrupts or attempts to obstruct or disrupt the normal operations or functions of a classroom. Examples of Classroom Disruption
uggestions for the Prevention of Classroom Disruption Remember that as a faculty member, you have the prerogative to establish and enforce reasonable behavioral expectations and standards for each of your classes. The following are just suggestions that may be helpful: Include course and behavioral norms and expectations for you and your students in the syllabus. On the first day of class, ask your students what they think the behavioral norms and expectations should be. You may find that often students are the strongest supporters of classroom decorum and that when they help establish these rules a sense of ownership will occur. Draw up a "contract" and include classroom behavior as well as other course expectations, including academic integrity policies, in that contract. Ask the students to read and sign the contract the first week in class. Serve as a role model and exhibit the type of behavior you expect from your students.
If a student is posing a threat to the safety of himself/herself or others, becomes physically or verbally abusive, University Police should be contacted immediately and a report should be submitted to The Office of Judicial Affairs. It is often a mistake to assume that aggressive behavior will stop on its own. Err on the side of safety. In other events of deliberate classroom disruption, it is important to deal with the behavior in a calms, courteous, and direct fashion before it escalates. During class, you may first 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 see you after class, so you can address the problem(s) 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. Be sure to document the incident in some way. Note:If you feel uncomfortable in any way with one on one interaction with the student feel free to involve one of your colleagues in your department in this meeting. If the behavior is repeated or the student exhibits a different disruptive behavior, the student should be given a verbal as well as a written warning. The written warning should be copied to your Department Chair and to The Office of Judicial Affairs. It should contain only factual descriptive information. The student is entitled to see this documentation. Consulting with your Department Chair and/or The Office of Judicial Affairs may be helpful at this time. If the disruptive behavior continues, you may ask the student to leave the class. It the student refuses to leave, you may call the University 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 a colleague or your Department Chair. The behavior should also be documented and reported to The Office of Judicial Affairs. A disruptive student may not be permanently removed from class without a formal review; therefore, it is essential that you work with your Department Chair and The Office of Judicial Affairs before taking this step.
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ationwide
campuses are experiencing an increase in incidents of classroom
disruption. George Mason University is no exception. The number of
incidents of classroom disruptions on our campus has escalated in recent
years.
hat
constitutes a disruptive student?
uidelines
for Handling Classroom Disruption
he
fact that a disruptive student has a disability should not inhibit you
from acting on inappropriate behavior. For more information contact the
office of Disability Services. 
ny
information that you learn while speaking with a disruptive student
privately should be handled in a confidential manner. You may only
discuss the case with campus officials who have a legitimate educational
interest such as your Department Chair or The Office of Judicial Affairs.
The privacy of a students educational records (i.e. grades, reports of
misconduct, etc.) is protected under the Family Educational Rights and
Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA). For more information contact The Office of
Judicial Affairs.