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University Policies

Classroom Disruption Policy (formerly Disruptive Student Behavior Procedure)

Approved By: University President, Faculty Senate, CAGAS
Effective Date: February 4, 2025

POLICY STATEMENT

Classroom disruption is defined as any interruption, whether internal or external to the learning environment, that a reasonable faculty member would view as interfering with the ability of the instructor to teach and the students to learn, whether in a classroom or other learning environment (such as an online course, laboratory, site-field experience, internship, instructor’s office, computer lab, or other setting on or off campus), which disrupts the educational process.

SCOPE (WHO SHOULD READ THIS POLICY)

This policy should be read by anyone who has questions about the correct procedures to take in response to disruptions to the educational environment.

POLICY

Classroom disruption is defined as any interruption, whether internal or external to the learning environment, that a reasonable faculty member would view as interfering with the ability of the instructor to teach and students to learn, whether in a classroom or other learning environment (such as an online course, laboratory, site-field experience, internship, instructor’s office, computer lab, or other setting on or off campus), which disrupts the educational process. It is considered disruptive behavior for a student to exhibit threatening, intimidating, or other inappropriate behavior toward the instructor or classmates inside or outside the learning environment. It may also be considered disruptive behavior for individuals external to the class or external to the University to interrupt the learning environment, whether in person or remotely.

PROCEDURES

In a situation where one or more individuals acts, in the judgment of the instructor, in such a manner as to disrupt the normal academic functions in or outside a class, the following actions should be taken:

  1. The instructor should ask the individual(s) causing a disruption to cease the disruptive activity.
  2. If the disruption does not cease, the instructor may ask the disruptive individual(s) to leave the class or other learning environment for that day. If the individual(s) refuses to leave, the instructor should call the Â鶹´«Ã½ Office of Public Safety or, in the event of an emergency, call 911 for See contact information below.
  3. For all serious or continued cases of disruptive student behavior, the Violation of Student Code of Conduct Form must be filled out and sent to the department chair and to Student Rights and Responsibilities with a copy to the student. Information on the Student Code of Conduct may be found at: . See especially Section D, parts 4,5, and 7.
  1. If the disruption is extreme or continuous, the instructor may decide to inform the student that he/she may no longer remain in the course and that the student may appeal this decision to the Council on Admission, Graduation and Academic Standards (CAGAS). If this action is taken, the instructor must fill out the Permanent Removal of Disruptive Student form by Instructor Report with CAGAS, with a copy to the student and the department chair, within 5 working days. The student has 5 working days from the date the report was sent to appeal the course removal to CAGAS. CAGAS will forward the report and the results of any appeal to the student, instructor, chair, dean, Student Development and Success Center and Student Rights and Responsibilities.
  2. When a student has been removed from a class, the instructor shall assign the letter grade that is judged appropriate. The student may withdraw from the course through standard procedures, if the deadline to withdraw has not If a reasonable alternative exists for the student to complete the coursework through a mechanism other than attendance in the affected class section, then such alternatives may be offered to the student at the discretion of the department chair and dean.
  3. Continued disruptive behavior by a non-student will be handled through the appropriate channels (g., Human Resources, Office of Public Safety).Ìý

University Resources to Help Instructors Deal with Disruptive Students

Please refer to the Reference Guide for Helping Students, a link for which can be accessed at /sdo

RESOURCES

Macomb Campus

Macomb Campus

  • Police (Emergencies): 911
  • Â鶹´«Ã½ Office of Public Safety: 309-298-1949
  • Student Rights and Responsibilities: 309-298-2436
  • Disability Resource Center: 309-298-2512
  • University Counseling Center: 309-298-2453
  • Student Development and Success Center: 309-298-1884
Quad Cities Campus*

Quad Cities Campus*

  • Police (Emergencies): 911
  • Disability Resource Center: 309-762-9481 Ext 62573

* Quad Cities instructors should consult with Macomb Campus resources when appropriate.

REVISION HISTORY

  • Original April 1, 1980
  • Update October 5, 1995
  • Update April 26, 2016
  • Update February 4, 2025