1. Managing Classroom Disruptive Student Behavior
Office of Student Conduct
Managing Classroom Disruptive Student Behavior

2. MANAGING CLASSROOM DISRUPTIVE STUDENT BEHAVIOR
Boundary Test
Disruptions
Intentional
Disruptions
Challenging
Behaviors
Refusal
Behaviors
Intimidation
Threats
BEHAVIOR TYPES
1. Give a clear verbal directive and/or reminder to student.
1. Give student clear verbal directive.
2. Document and file.
1. Set and enforce limits.
2. Give immediate verbal directive w/ consequence.
3. Set different time & place for discussion
4. Formally document.
5. Give written warning.
1. Set and enforce limits.
2. Identify consequences in class, if appropriate or in private meeting.
3. Initiate class break and during break, inform the student they must leave class and may not return until a designated meeting has occurred.
1. Get away from student.
2. Get help immediately.
3. Notify UCO Police Services at (405) or for immediate emergencies.
4. Formally document. IF
FACULTY RESPONSES
PERSISTS IF
PERSISTS
1. Give student verbal and written reminder/warning of instruction and warning.
Inform Chair and Department and Contact the Office of Student Conduct.
5. File a complaint with the Office of Student Conduct: IF
PERSISTS
and/or

3. MANAGING CLASSROOM DISRUPTIVE STUDENT BEHAVIOR
FACULTY RESPONSE
Give clear and concise verbal directive, remind student of syllabus policies and/or Code of Student Conduct policies w/ expectation for termination of behavior.
Use constructive and non-belittling comments.
BOUNDARY TEST DISRUPTIONS
Boundary Test Examples
Talking, cell phone usage, passing notes, distractive and/or annoying behaviors (i.e., fidgeting, muttering to self/neighbor, noise making, too many questions/off-topic questions)

4. MANAGING CLASSROOM DISRUPTIVE STUDENT BEHAVIOR
FACULTY RESPONSE EXAMPLES
“It is time to stop____________________.”
“We need to move on now.”
“That is inappropriate and will not be allowed in the classroom.”
“Cell phones are to be turned off during class.”
“As stated in your syllabus, off-topic, loud talking during lectures, constitutes a disruption and thereby a violation of the Code of Student Conduct.”

5. MANAGING CLASSROOM DISRUPTIVE STUDENT BEHAVIOR
HINTS AND HELPFUL THOUGHTS
1. Look for behavior reinforcements (i.e. friends) and precipitating factors and consider disbanding.
2. Cite the Code of Student Conduct in course syllabi.
3. Make notes of events, behaviors, directives.
4. Encourage the three C’s of UCO.

6. MANAGING CLASSROOM DISRUPTIVE STUDENT BEHAVIOR
FACULTY RESPONSE
1. 2nd reminder/warning, document the behavior and response, issue verbal possibility of consequences if behavior continues.
2. If necessary, meet with student during break, before or after class, or office hours. Document interactions (dates, times, locations, purpose and outcomes).
INTENTIONAL
DISRUPTIONS
Intentional Examples
Continuing behavior after verbal directive, persistent questioning, arguing, attention-getting, disruptive comments, sarcastic comments/distracting joke-telling in class

7. MANAGING CLASSROOM DISRUPTIVE STUDENT BEHAVIOR
FACULTY RESPONSE EXAMPLES
“Your line of questioning is off-topic. Please refrain from asking any further off-topic questions.”
“Your side comments are disruptive. I expect you to listen or participate in the discussion and not be disruptive.”
“Please speak with me after class.”

8. MANAGING CLASSROOM DISRUPTIVE STUDENT BEHAVIOR
HINTS AND HELPFUL THOUGHTS
1. Use the Code of Student Conduct as a reference guide.
2. Identify behavior and impact on class/other students.
3. State consequences, referral to Chair, Dean, or Student Conduct.
4. Meet with student and possible 3rd person; if 3rd person is not available, meet in open space or in office with door open and 3rd person nearby.

9. MANAGING CLASSROOM DISRUPTIVE STUDENT BEHAVIOR
FACULTY RESPONSE
1. 2nd reminder/warning, document the behavior and response, issue verbal possibility of consequences if behavior continues.
2. If necessary, meet with student during break, before or after class, or office hours. Document interactions (dates, times, locations, purpose and outcomes).
CHALLENGING
BEHAVIORS
Challenging Examples
Questioning instructor authority, instructor’s credentials, course syllabus, reasoning for a test, grading policy, bias complaints, University standards; stating “unreasonable expectations”

10. MANAGING CLASSROOM DISRUPTIVE STUDENT BEHAVIOR
FACULTY RESPONSE EXAMPLES
“If you would like to remain in this class, I recommend that you refrain from doing ___________________again.”
“You can either participate in class in a decent, non-distracting manner or continue with your current behavior and receive a ‘0’ for your participation grade today and face further consequences. It is your choice.”

11. MANAGING CLASSROOM DISRUPTIVE STUDENT BEHAVIOR
HINTS AND HELPFUL THOUGHTS
1. Be firm.
2. Outside of class, seek wisdom from experienced colleague, if able to do.
3. Watch for any changes in context of the challenges. If the challenges change to intimidating statements and/or threats, then follow the listed Faculty Response for “Intimidation / Threats.”

12. MANAGING CLASSROOM DISRUPTIVE STUDENT BEHAVIOR
FACULTY RESPONSE
1. Give immediate and specific directives w/ possible consequences.
2. INITIATE CLASS BREAK. During break, inform student that they must leave class and may not return until they meet with A) instructor ; B) instructor and Colleague; C) Instructor and Chair; or Director of Student Conduct.
3. Document and give student directive letter.
REFUSAL
BEHAVIORS
Refusal Examples
Student refuses to stop behavior(s) despite warnings, student is unwilling/unable to follow directives or meet w/ instructor, says, “NO!”

13. MANAGING CLASSROOM DISRUPTIVE STUDENT BEHAVIOR
FACULTY RESPONSE EXAMPLES
“Doing _____________________in class is continuing to be disruptive. I asked you to stop _________________ and you refused. Therefore, you may not attend this class until you meet with ____________ and I receive confirmation of this meeting and your willingness to comply with the rules.”

14. MANAGING CLASSROOM DISRUPTIVE STUDENT BEHAVIOR
HINTS AND HELPFUL THOUGHTS
1. Have your plan ready, before you need it.
2. Know where the telephones are near your classroom and in your building.
3. Know the telephone number for UCO Police (405)
4. File a complaint with the Office of Student Conduct at
1. Have your plan ready, before you need it.
2. Know where the telephones are near your classroom and in your building.
3. Know the telephone number for UCO Police (405)
4. File a complaint with the Office of Student Conduct at

15. MANAGING CLASSROOM DISRUPTIVE STUDENT BEHAVIOR
FACULTY RESPONSE
1. GET HELP
a. Depart from student’s presence
b. Get in contact w/ another faculty/staff
c. Get someone to escort you to a safe area/safe proximity from student.
INTIMIDATION
THREATS
Refusal Examples
“You have pushed me too far. You better watch your back
for the rest of the semester!”
“I know where you park, I know where you live, I hope nothing happens to you on your way home.”
“If you know what is best for you, you will give me an ‘A!’”
“I will hurt/kill you.”

16. DISRUPTIVE STUDENT BEHAVIOR
MANAGING CLASSROOM
DISRUPTIVE STUDENT BEHAVIOR
FACULTY RESPONSES
1. GET HELP
a. Depart from student’s presence
b. Get in contact w/ another faculty/staff person
c. Get someone to escort you to a safe area/safe proximity from student
2. NOTIFY UCO POLICE at (405) OR
3. DOCUMENT: After the situation is under control, notify the Office of Student Conduct at (405) and file a complaint.