| It is important that you become familiar with the Student Conduct Code.
You can access and read it here or ask your Division Chair or the Dean of Student
Services Office (2nd floor Building 6, x235) for a copy. From time to time, you may
encounter a student or non-student who is disruptive in the learning environment. The
decisions you make will depend on your professional discretion and your perception of the
disruption. Neither exclusively nor inclusively binding, the intent of these recommendations
is to provide you with a proactive-framework that can assist you in making your own
decisions. These recommendations are currently under review by the Committee on Student
Affairs (COSA). If they accept them as written or with changes, the recommended document
will be forwarded to the Faculty Council Executive Committee (FCEC) for their review and
acceptance. If accepted the amended recommendations will be replace this present
document.
Please read about how to deal with threats of physical violence.
Definition of Disruptive Behavior:
Disruptive behavior is behavior which Honolulu Community College regards as speech or
action which 1) is disrespectful, offensive, and/or threatening, 2) interferes with the
learning activities of other students, 3) impedes the delivery of College services, and;or
4) has a negative impact in any learning environment - including department and staff
offices, the Library, the Computing Center, the Learning Assistance Centers, labs,
clinical sites, service learning sites, etc. Disruptive behavior includes physically,
verbally or psychologically harassing, threatening, or acting abusively toward an instructor,
staff member, or toward other students in any activity authorized by the College.
Disruptive behavior-also includes any other behavior covered by the Student Conduct Code.
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At the beginning of the semester, students can be made aware of the instructor's expectations
and standards for appropriate classroom behavior. Instructors can inform students of the
Student Conduct Code and the consequences for violation of this code. The course syllabus
may be an effective tool to correlate appropriate behavior to course objectives and/or
program competencies. Emergency plans of action for the classroom that deal with
crisis situations could be articulated by the instructor at the beginning of each semester.
This plan may include -
- designated student assistants to get help from campus Security (x142, x245 or
x273) or Police (9-911) via phone, or by attracting attention of other
faculty/staff/students in the vicinity;
- establish a cooperative effort, buddy system, or strategy among faculty/staff
members who are located in close proximity to assist each other in emergency or
crisis situations;
- know the names and phone numbers of the on-duty evening administrators;
- inform your colleagues, Division Chair, Security, and/or the Counseling Office
of any potentially disruptive students;
- inform Security (x142, x245 or x273) and your Division Chair of your plans to
be on campus during off-hours or low activity hours (very early or very late);
- be familiar with the location of public and staff phones within your vicinity.
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The behavior is perceived as disruptive, disrespectful, offensive, and/or threatening and
interferes with the learning of other students or impedes the delivery of college services.
This behavior may include speech or action that is not part of the learning process but
is perceived to create an atmosphere of hostility, intimidation, ridicule or anxiety
among other students, instructors or staff. The student may be verbally harassing the
instructor/staff/students, or making unreasonable demands for attention or special treatment
to the detriment of other students in or out of the classroom, or engaging in other
behaviors covered in the Student Conduct Code.
The behavior may stem from a conflict with the instructor, staff or another student, from
the course itself, or personal problems that may be causing inappropriate behavior. For
example, the student deliberately distracts other students from the task at hand, talks
loudly out of turn during lecture, monopolizes the discussion, makes disrespectful comments
(written or verbal) to the instructor or to another student, comes late and is disruptive
settling in, hinders cooperation, harasses or intimidates a college employee or another
student, or engages in other behaviors covered in the Student Conduct Code.
| Step 1: |
Make a reasonable attempt to talk to the student first. Determine whether
the disruptive behavior is in any way related to problems that the student is having
in class or to other situational factors which the instructor may be able to directly
affect. Very often a private conversation with the student can be more productive than
a scolding or a warning in the presence of other students.
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| Step 2: |
When the instructor acts reasonably and the student remains disruptive,
disrespectful, offensive and/or threatening, the instructor may choose to:
- write up a contract with the student that clearly identifies behavior and
actions for the student to take and the consequences of inappropriate
behaviors;
- contact the Division Chair and/or the Counseling Office, who may choose to
consult with the instructor outside of class, observe the behavior in class,
meet with the student to discuss the situation, or facilitate a communication
process between the instructor and student. Depending on the nature and
perception of the disruption, the student may be referred to other support
services; and/or
- ask the student to leave the classroom or learning environment;
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| Step 3: |
If you ask the student to leave, and the student leaves, or refuses to
leave, call Security (x142, x245, or x273). Document the incident. Follow up with Security
and take proactive measures for your safety.
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| Step 4: |
To take formal action against the student, notify your Division Chair and
the Dean of Student Services immediately of this incident in writing. |
Special Notes:
- Documentation. The instructor should document all incidents of disruptive,
disrespectful, offensive and/or threatening behavior as they arise, even though
they may appear to be minor at the time. Documentation needs to be objective.
Include date, time, location, and persons involved. If you make a subjective
judgment about the behavior, substantiate it with objective and specific examples,
using direct and accurate quotes and give an explanation of the context in which
it was said. A pattern of disruptive behavior can be used to substantiate charges
made against the student and/or bring about some mediating action. Submit your
documentation to the Dean of Student Services and to your Department Chairperson.
- Disciplinary action. Disciplinary actions which the College may impose include
a formal warning, probation, suspension and dismissal. An instructor referring a
student for disciplinary action does so under the provisions of the Student Conduct
Code. This Code stipulates that the Provost may impose disciplinary sanctions upon
a student only after a Student Conduct Committee hearing has taken place. However,
students whose behavior is disruptive may be subject to immediate disciplinary
action in an emergency situation. In such cases the Provost may impose the
sanction of suspension prior to a hearing.
For more information, please refer to the Student Conduct Code
available here to read or with your Division Chair or in the Dean of Student Services
Office.
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