Civility: Proactive Strategies and Responses

Civility: Proactive Strategiesand Responses John R. Jones III, Ph.D.Assistant Vice Chancellor for Student Life and Diversity /Associate Dean of Students IUPUI

Outline • Examples of Incivility (Disruptive Behavior) • Proactive Strategies • Responding To Incivility • Resources

Civility • Primarily as the demonstration of respect for others, basic courtesy, reciprocity and behaviors that create a positive environment in which to learn and work • Linked to the Latin word civitas • Means ‘city’ and ‘community’ • When students are civil, it means that they are in good standing with the community

Incivility In The Classroom(1 of 2) • Sleeping In Class • Talking In Class, Whispering • Late To Class, Early Exit • Reading the newspaper or non-class materials, Working on Puzzles • Poor Hygiene • Eating, Drinking

Incivility In The Classroom(2 of 2) • Pagers, Cell-Phones, Text Messaging, Surfing the web • Walking in and out of the Classroom • Disputing Authority & Expertise • Verbal or Physical Threats

Proactive Strategies • Start with an Effective Syllabus • Model the Behavior you Expect • Communicate • Develop Strategies • When necessary, take Additional Action • Know Who & When to Call for Consultation • Document & Share

Proactive Strategies • Start with an Effective Syllabus • Your Expectations and your Approach to Dealing with Inappropriate Behavior • Campus Civility Statement • Reference to the Code of Conduct

Proactive Strategies • Model the Behavior you Expect • Begin and end class on time • Return papers and exams in a timely fashion • Arrive for each class prepared • Treat students with respect • Behave professionally at all times

Proactive Strategies Communicate • Try to connect with students • When a problem occurs: • Deliver message in an assertive manner • Try not to become defensive • Attempt to handle sensitive issues privately • Student needs to feel some sense of control

Proactive Strategies • Develop Strategies • Discussion regarding the kind of classroom and their role in creating it • Respond to problem behavior quickly (discipline as an educational experience) • Make direct eye contact • Stop lecturing and wait until you have everyone’s attention • Physically move to the problem area • Make a general statement rather than warning a particular student • Consider designating the last row seats for late arrivals or early departures

Proactive Strategies • When necessary, take Additional Action • Request that the student see you before or after class • Specific nature of the unacceptable behavior • Detrimental impact of the behavior on class & instructor • Change in behavior sought • Possible consequences if the behavior continues • When the nature of the disruption is so severe, direct the student to leave the class • Forward all incidents of disruptive behavior

Proactive Strategies • When and Who to call • Academic Officer of the School or Unit • Office of the Dean of Students • If you feel threatened, immediately call the Campus Police

Responding To Incivility • Engage/confront the student (minor disruptions) • Gather & Document Information • Same information with the Office of the Dean of Students • Website: www.life.iupui.edu/dos

Contact Information • IUB • Pamela Freeman - freeman@indiana.edu, 812-855-5419 • IUE • Ben Young - benyoung@indiana.edu, 765-973-8245 • IUK • Jack Tharp - jtharp@iuk.edu, 765-455-9360 • IUNW • Kenneth Coopwood - kcoopwoo@iun.edu, 219-980-6824 • IUPUC • Susan Montgomery - smontgom@iupuc.edu, 812-3487217 • IUSB • Charlotte Pfeifer - cpfeifer@iusb.edu, 574-520-5536 • IUSE • Ruth Garvey Nix - rgarvey@ius.edu, 812-941-242

Contact Information • IUPUI • Undergraduate Dean of Students • John R. Jones - jrajones@iupui.edu, 274-4431 • Graduate Dean of Students • Sherry F. Queener - queenes@iupui.edu, 274-1563

Questions “It is better to have an occasional limp than a perpetual strut”.

Civility: Proactive Strategies and Responses