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Dealing with Difficult Students in the Classroom

Dealing with Difficult Students in the Classroom. A guide to assist faculty at WCSU.

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Dealing with Difficult Students in the Classroom

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  1. Dealing with Difficult Students in the Classroom A guide to assist faculty at WCSU

  2. National trends and recent incidents at several universities show an increase in disrespectful, disruptive, and even violent student behavior.This can create challenges for faculty and staff as they maintain a safe learning environment.

  3. All students at WCSU have the right to a calm, productive and stimulating learning environment.

  4. “All members of the University community must at all times govern their social and academic interactions with tolerance and mutual respect so that the men and women who pass through the University’s doors are enriched by these experiences and are prepared for full and enlightened participation in a multi-cultural society.” - From the Preamble of the Connecticut State University system Student Code of Conduct and Statement of Judicial Procedures.

  5. All instructors should put in their syllabus expectations of classroom behavior. • The instructor should reference the Student Code of Conduct and Statement of Judicial Procedures in their syllabus, and at their first class let students know that disruptive behavior will not be tolerated. • An option would be to have each student sign a sheet stating that you went over the classroom expectations and that it’s the student’s responsibility to adhere to these expectations.

  6. What is disruptive behavior? Disruptive behavior interferes with academic activities. Disruptive behavior inhibits students’ ability to learn and the instructors ability to teach.

  7. Often times there can be lively or heated discussions in the classroom. This is not considered disruptive behavior. • However, student behavior that is a disruption to teaching and learning must be addressed.

  8. Guidelines to handle specific disruptive behavior Most of the time and for most incidents, faculty would utilize their own classroom management style and handle situations right away. The following is to help you with the proper procedures if any of the following types of behavior happen in your classroom.

  9. Guidelines continued… Physical Assault Never put yourself in a harmful situation! • Call the Police Department immediately at 7-9300 or 911. • Have the students in the class move into the hallway away from the situation. • File a report to the Dean of Student Affairs office, to be sent attention Director of Judicial Affairs. • Notify your department chair/respective dean.

  10. Guidelines continued… Psychological/Emotional Emergency or Inappropriate outbursts in the classroom This could be anything from violent outbursts or emotional outburst that do not cease. If the student has violent outburst, call the police immediately at 7-9300. Ask the student to stop the behavior and to talk with the professor after the class. If the behavior doesn’t stop, ask the student to leave the class. If the student doesn’t comply, call the Police Department 7-9300. File a report and send to Dean of Student Affairs office, attention Director of Judicial Affairs. Notify your department chairperson/respective dean.

  11. Guidelines continued… Panic attacks • Calm the student. • Encourage him/her to breathe deeply. • Find someone to accompany the student to Health Services or the Counseling Center. • Only call the police if the student needs a ride from the Westside and (if so) calmly explain that you are calling a ride for them, not for anything punitive.

  12. Guidelines continued… Serious Injury, Illness or Accident (includes alcohol or drug related) Do not touch the student or any bodily fluids for their safety and yours. Do not transport student(s) to the hospital! • Call the PD (7-9300) or 9-1-1. • Notify the Dean of Student Affairs office. • Advise the student of campus resources according to his/her needs. (ie/counseling center, health services) • File a report and send to Dean of Student Affairs office, attention Director of Judicial Affairs. • Notify your department chairperson/respective dean. 

  13. Guidelines continued… Biased-Related Statements Any language or other acts that are harassing/intimidating and directed towards individuals or groups because of their race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, and physical or mental disability. • Be supportive of the victim. • Confront the student doing this inappropriate behavior to stop this behavior and to speak with them after class. • If the behavior doesn’t stop, ask the student to leave the class. • If the student doesn’t comply, call the Police Department 7-9300. • File a report and send to Dean of Student Affairs office, attention Director of Judicial Affairs. • Notify your department chairperson/respective dean.

  14. Steps to take to address disruptive behavior in the classroom • 1.) The disruptive student should be confronted in a timely manner to reinforce expectations from the first class. • 2.) The instructor should ask to speak to the student in private or after class. • 3.) The instructor and student should go over what can be done to improve behavior and to prevent this from happening again.

  15. Steps continued… • 4.) If the disruption warrants, due to the seriousness or persistence, ask the student to leave the class and inform him/her that this incident will be documented and referred to Student Affairs staff. • 5.) Let your department chair and the dean of your respective school know that an incident of disruptive behavior has occurred and has been reported to Student Affairs.

  16. What happens after the instructor has filed a complaint against a disruptive student? • The Director of Judicial Affairs will notify you that the complaint has been received. • The Director of Judicial Affairs will meet with the student and either adjudicate the incident or schedule a formal hearing. • If the complaint is going to a formal hearing, the Director of Judicial Affairs will ask the faculty or staff member their availability to attend a hearing. • If the complaint is adjudicated informally or formally, the Director of Judicial Affairs will keep the faculty member or staff informed of everything. • The Director of Judicial Affairs will also keep the department chairperson and Dean for the respective school informed as well.

  17. Summary • 1) Always put in your syllabus behavioral expectations in the classroom. • 2) Go over these at the first class. • 3) If a situation rises to the level of student not cooperating, always call our University Police at 7-9300, or 9-1-1 for an emergency. • 4) Always inform your department chairperson and/or respective dean of classroom incidents. • 5) Fill-out inappropriate behavior form for students not adhering to classroom behavior expectations.

  18. If you ever need assistance or have a classroom scenario you are not sure how to handle, please contact the Office of Judicial Affairs at 7-8770 (203) 837-8770 You can print out the Inappropriate Behavior Form by going into the WCSU website: http://www.wcsu.edu/stuaffairs/forms.asp

  19. If you ever have any questions, please feel free to contact: Charles J. Alexander Director of Judicial Affairs (203) 837 – 8770 Dr. Walt Cramer Dean of Students (203) 837 – 8547 Dr. Walter Bernstein VP of Student Affairs (203) 837 - 8600

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