Conflict Resolution and Civic Responsibility

Classroom Safety: Prevention

Strategies to Prevent and Respond to Disruptive Behavior

  1. Clarify standards for the conduct of your class in a syllabus and/or verbally.
  2. Serve as a role model for the conduct you expect from your students.
  3. If you believe inappropriate behavior is occurring, consider a general word of caution, rather than warning a particular student (e.g. "we have too many contemporaneous conversations at the moment; let's all focus on the same topic").
  4. If the behavior is irritating, but not disruptive, try speaking with the student after class. Most students are unaware of distracting habits or mannerisms, and have no intent to be offensive or disruptive.
  5. There may be rare circumstances when it is necessary to speak to a student during class about his or her behavior. Try to do so in a firm and friendly manner, indicating that further discussion can occur after class. Public arguments and harsh language must be avoided.
  6. A student who persists in disrupting a class may be directed to leave the classroom for the remainder of the class period. Whenever possible, prior consultation should be undertaken with the Department Chair, Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education (2-3950) and the Director of Conflict Resolution & Civic Responsibility (2-5501).
  7. If a disruption is serious, and other reasonable measures have failed, the class may be adjourned, and the campus police summoned. Teachers must not use force or threats of force, except in immediate self-defense. Prepare a written account of the incident (a sample incident report may be found here). Identify witnesses for the Campus Police or the Office of Conflict Resolution & Civic Responsibility, as needed.
  8. If it is suspected that an incident of classroom disruption is either associated with or is a result of a mental health condition or alcohol or other substance abuse, you are encouraged to contact the University Counseling Center (2-5800) for consultation.

Strategies for Reporting of Threatening and Abusive Behavior

  1. If possible, leave the area immediately.
  2. Call the University Police by dialing 9-1-1 from any campus phone or 442-3131 from any cell phone to request that an officer come to the location. Inform the Police if it is a repeat occurrence.
  3. Anyone who observes what appears to be threatening behavior should report it to the University Police and in appropriate cases file a student incident report with the Office of Conflict Resolution & Civic Responsibility.
  4. University employees who observe what appears to be threatening behavior should also report it to their supervisor or Department Head, who should report it to the University Police and/or the Office of Conflict Resolution & Civic Responsibility.