ACADEMIC AFFAIRS PROCEDURE
REMOVAL OF STUDENTS FROM CLASS
PROCEDURE
A course instructor has responsibility for managing his/her classroom and, to that end, should use
all appropriate means available (e.g., asking the student to discontinue a particular behavior or
deducting points from the student’s participation grade) before availing himself/herself of the
option afforded by this policy.
If a course instructor determines that a student’s behavior is substantially disruptive to others or
substantially interferes with his/her ability to teach the class and/or with students’ ability to learn,
and if the course instructor has exhausted all other options, the course instructor may remove a
student from his/her classroom while the class is in session or may inform the student in advance
that s/he is prohibited from attending the next class session. The course instructor should then
follow the procedure below.
If the student refuses to leave, or if the student exhibits behavior that is dangerous or threatening,
the course instructor may call the Department of Public Safety. Officers will remove the student
and follow the procedure outlined in number 2 below.
Once the student has been removed from class, this procedure will be followed:
1. The course instructor will inform the student in writing, copied to the dean, about which
behaviors led to the student’s removal from class. The course instructor will also indicate
that a mediation conference must take place before the next class session. The course
instructor reserves the right to have another course instructor or the dean of the school
that sponsors the course present for the mediation conference. The student has the right
to bring an advisor (see definition of “advisor” under the Code of Conduct) to the mediation
conference. If the student or course instructor is not agreeable to, or available for, a
mediation conference, the course instructor may refer the matter to the dean for a
mediation conference. The student may not return to class until s/he has met with the
course instructor or the dean, as applicable, for the mediation conference.
a. If the matter is resolved during the mediation conference, the student will return to
the next class session. The student will also be advised of this decision in writing.
In all instances here and below in which a student is permitted to return to class,
the student is responsible for making up the work missed while s/he was removed
from the class.
b. If the mediation conference does not result in a mutually acceptable resolution, the
course instructor or the dean, as applicable, will consult with the Director of Judicial
Affairs to determine if the case could lead to a charge under the Code of Conduct.
i. If it is determined that the case is a chargeable offense, the course
instructor or the dean, as applicable, will file a complaint against the student
with the Department of Public Safety, which will follow the procedure
outlined in number 2 below.
Procedure 300-II
ACADEMIC AFFAIRS PROCEDURE
ii. If it is determined that the case is not a chargeable offense, the course
instructor will refer the case to the dean, who will schedule a mediation
conference with the student. Or, if the dean has already attempted a
resolution, as outlined above, the dean will make a final determination. In
either case, the dean will communicate the decision in writing to both
course instructor and student. The decision of the dean is final.
2. If the Department of Public Safety originally removed the student from the classroom, or if
the course instructor or the dean, as applicable, files a complaint against the student after
a mediation conference fails to result in a resolution, the Department of Public Safety staff
will investigate the matter and forward any relevant case file material to the Office of
Judicial Affairs. Specific information about case investigations and judicial hearings can
be found in the “Code of Conduct” in the Student Handbook:
http://www.ramapo.edu/students/judicial/docs/STUDENT-HANDBOOK-12-13.pdf
a. If no charges are filed by the Office of Judicial Affairs, the student will return to
class.
b. If charges are filed by the Office of Judicial Affairs, the student will not return to
class until the case has reached an outcome via the regular disciplinary process.
i. If the student is found to be not responsible for the charge, s/he may return
to class.
ii. If the student has been found responsible for a violation of the Code of
Conduct, sanctions will be imposed in accordance with the Student
Handbook. One sanction may be barring the student from returning to the
class. If this outcome occurs, the Office of Judicial Affairs will process a
course withdrawal for the student.
Disciplinary sanctions do not result in a refund of funds or fees once the standard
refund periods have expired.
Procedure 300-II