Instructor Guidelines

Be Proactive!

It is important to establish expectations and guidelines for the students up front. Address these issues in your syllabus and review the information on the first day of class. For example, an instructor’s preferences and proper academic tone may be set by reviewing ground rules for discussion or questions, tardiness, and safety and decorum concerns. Even outlining your preferences regarding issues such as cell phones or beepers in the classroom is important to include in your syllabus. Invite the students to comment on these expectations and have them offer suggestions. Students will know the boundaries and can make informed decisions about their own behavior based on that information.

Initially confronting disruptive behavior and/or situations

If a disruptive situation develops and is non-threatening, minor, and/or annoying, it is best to correct innocent and minor first offenses gently and directly. The instructor may first want to consider a general word of caution instead of warning or embarrassing a particular student. For example, “We have too many private conversations going on at the moment, let’s all focus on the same topic.” If the behavior is repetitive (within that same class period), or if student(s) are disruptive and disrespectful, is it is recommended that the faculty member speak directly and informally (privately when possible) with the student or students involved.

Informal Conferences with Students

When an instructor meets with a student one-on-one, refer to the particular behavior the student is displaying and how it impacts the instructor, the class, and/or other students. Clearly request that the student stop the behavior. The instructor should also identify any academic consequences that may be imposed or that may have already been assessed based on the statement in the syllabus.

Through the informal conference, the instructor and student should strive to reach a general understanding that will put a mutually satisfactory end to problems stemming from the student’s behavior. The instructor and student may also wish to explore the reasons behind the behavior and perhaps to identify acceptable alternatives.

Persistent Behavior

If the disruptive behavior continues, even after an informal meeting or warning from the instructor, the instructor has a few options. No matter which course the instructor chooses to take, it is important to try and meet with the student again to explain what actions are being taken and why. It may be helpful to have a third party present in the room when meeting with the student.

The instructor may issue a written formal warning. This letter should be addressed to the student and copied to the instructor’s Department Head, Dean, and to the Office of Student Judicial Programs. The letter should also warn the student of the likely academic and/or discipline consequences should the behavior persist.

The instructor may also contact the Office of Student Judicial Programs to determine how to best address the issue. If it is suitable, document the behavior in an incident report and refer the student to the Office of Student Judicial Programs. The office will then contact the instructor for any follow up and meet with the student to discuss and resolve the issue.

Failure to Comply

If neither an informal discussion nor a formal written warning satisfactorily resolved a non-threatening situation, then further action may be necessary. Please also note that that some situations may be instantaneously threatening and jeopardize the health or safety of the faculty member, students and/or other persons. USCPD should be called first when the danger is immediate and threatening. Depending on the urgency of the circumstances and the need for outside support, the faculty member may refer the matter immediately by telephone to the University Police or to the Office of Student Judicial Programs. As time and events permit, the faculty member should inform the Office of Student Judicial Programs. If the University Police are called, they will respond immediately to the situation.