Office of Student Conduct
Managing Classroom
Disruptive Student Behavior
FACULTY RESPONSES
BEHAVIOR TYPES
MANAGING CLASSROOM
DISRUPTIVE STUDENT BEHAVIOR
Boundary Test
Disruptions
1. Give a clear
verbal
directive
and/or
reminder to
student.
Intentional
Disruptions
IF
PERSISTS
1. Give student
clear verbal
directive.
2. Document and
file.
IF
PERSISTS
1. Give student
verbal and written
reminder/warning
of instruction and
warning.
IF
PERSISTS
Challenging
Behaviors
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.
Inform Chair and
Department and Contact
the Office of Student
Conduct.
Refusal
Behaviors
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.
and/or
Intimidation
Threats
1. Get away from
student.
2. Get help
immediately.
3. Notify UCO Police
Services at (405)
974-2345 or 9-1-1
for immediate
emergencies.
4. Formally
document.
5. File a complaint with
the Office of Student
Conduct:
www.uco.edu/conduct
MANAGING CLASSROOM
DISRUPTIVE STUDENT BEHAVIOR
FACULTY RESPONSE
BOUNDARY TEST
DISRUPTIONS
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 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)
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.”
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.
MANAGING CLASSROOM
DISRUPTIVE STUDENT BEHAVIOR
FACULTY RESPONSE
INTENTIONAL
DISRUPTIONS
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 Examples
Continuing behavior after verbal directive,
persistent questioning, arguing, attentiongetting, disruptive comments, sarcastic
comments/distracting joke-telling in class
MANAGING CLASSROOM
DISRUPTIVE STUDENT BEHAVIOR
FACULTY RESPONSE EXAMPLES
“Your line of questioning is off-topic.
Please refrain from asking any further offtopic 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.”
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.
MANAGING CLASSROOM
DISRUPTIVE STUDENT BEHAVIOR
FACULTY RESPONSE
CHALLENGING
BEHAVIORS
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 Examples
Questioning instructor authority, instructor’s
credentials, course syllabus, reasoning for a test,
grading policy, bias complaints, University
standards; stating “unreasonable expectations”
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.”
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.”
MANAGING CLASSROOM
DISRUPTIVE STUDENT BEHAVIOR
FACULTY RESPONSE
1. Give immediate and specific
directives w/ possible consequences.
REFUSAL
BEHAVIORS
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 Examples
Student refuses to stop behavior(s) despite
warnings, student is unwilling/unable to follow
directives or meet w/ instructor, says, “NO!”
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.”
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) 974-2345.
4. File a complaint with the Office of
Student Conduct at www.uco.edu/conduct
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) 974-2345.
4. File a complaint with the Office of Student Conduct at www.uco.edu/conduct.
.
MANAGING CLASSROOM
DISRUPTIVE STUDENT BEHAVIOR
INTIMIDATION
THREATS
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.
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.”
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) 974-2345 OR 9-1-1
3. DOCUMENT: After the situation is under control,
notify the Office of Student Conduct at (405) 974-2361
and file a complaint.