"Disruptive" refers to all behaviors that interfere with the legitimate instructional, administrative, or service functions of the college. This would include the behavior of students (or non-student intruders) who verbally threaten or abuse college staff or other students, physically threaten or assault others, willfully damage college property, use illegal drugs or alcohol on college grounds, interfere with the learning environment by disruptive verbal or behavioral expressions, or persistently make inordinate demands for time and attention from faculty and staff.

You have an obligation as the instructor in charge of the class to maintain control and not allow individuals to disturb instruction.

If individuals cause a class disturbance, then you need to behave in such a way as to control the disturbance. Usually stopping what you are doing and looking at the person causing the disturbance is enough. If that doesn't work, asking the offender to step outside, and then talking privately to the offender is probably the best method.

When you get the offender outside do not allow yourself to be drawn into an argument. In a calm, firm voice say, "Think about what you are doing. Try to get control of yourself. You're disturbing the class. I can't allow that to continue. If you continue to disturb the class you will leave me no option but to suspend you from class."

If the person tries to argue with you then say, "I don't have time now to discuss this with you. I will speak to you about this after class.". Then go back into the classroom.

During the meeting after class inform the student that such behavior will not be tolerated and that if the student is unwilling or unable to accept the rules of classroom behavior, the student should withdraw from the course.

If the behavior is repeated, the instructor may suspend the student for (1) the class session in which the disruptive behavior occurred, (2) the next class period and (3) until the student meets with the college disciplinarian. If the instructor suspends a student, then the instructor must file written notification of the suspension with the College Disciplinarian, Assistant Dean, Judy Penchansky. Please talk to your department chair and/or the Evening Dean about what happened so that the person who will likely be dealing with the student knows what is going on. If the student appears to have emotional problems, recommend personal counseling (available through the Health Services Office). Notification should be sent to the Campus Police when physical danger exists for either an instructor or a student.

If the person refuses to cooperate with you and persists in trying to argue with you or disturbs the class in some other fashion, (1) announce to the class that there will be a fifteen minute break. (2) Ask to speak to the offending student in private and walk to an area of the room where there are no people. (3) As quietly but firmly as possible tell the offending student that he/she is suspended and may not return to class without administration approval to return. Do not allow yourself to be drawn into an argument.

If the offender refuses to leave the room go to an emergency phone, phone the campus police, inform them that you have suspended a student, and that he refuses to leave your classroom. They will know what to do next.

Keep your cool. Act in a calm, resolute, rational, non-emotional manner through it all.