Wenatchee Valley College
Disruptive Student Behavior Protocol – Risk and Response
Adapted from Students of Concern training program, University of Utah
LEVEL 1: CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT
Level One disruptive behaviors are best handled at the instructor level with support of colleagues, programs managers,
associate deans, or the VP in your area. Students displaying Level One behaviors are typically not referred to the Student
Conduct Officer (Administration or with an incident report).
Disruptive behaviors can be broadly defined as strategies that the student employs that result in the interference or
interruption of the day to day functioning of a classroom.
Level 1 Disruptive Behaviors
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Student sleeping
Cell phone
Texting
Non class related internet
Use (i.e. social media,
blogs etc.)
 Side conversations
 Multiple exits and
entrances into class
 Excessive lateness
 Leaving class early
 *Outburst in class,
disturbing other students
 Excessive absences
 Mocking the instructor
 Mocking other
students/teachers
 *Bullying
 Inappropriate dress
 Rudeness toward
instructor
 Student asks too many
questions
 *Suspicion of student
being under the influence
 Plagiarism/cheating
 General cursing
 Cursing directed toward
instructor/other students
*May require contacting a counselor and completing an incident report
Instructor Response
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Include Student Code of Conduct expectations in class syllabus.
Establish clear expectations, protocols, boundaries/limits.
Correct innocent mistakes and minor first offenses.
Give a general word of caution to the class.
Request that the student stop the behavior.
If possible, speak to the student about their behavior after the class, in a private but safe place.
If behavior persists, ask the student to leave the area.
Discuss alternatives, reasonable goals, consequences.
Document behavior(s) and discussion content.
Provide student with a copy of expected changes, timeline, and potential consequences.
Consult with colleagues and/or others for support and assistance.
Person(s) to be contacted
 Consult with experienced colleagues.
 Consult with supervisor, associate dean or dean of your area.
 Consult with VP
LEVEL 2: DISTRESSED STUDENTS
Students with distressed behaviors cause us concern over their own well-being, or the safety of others. They
appear to be struggling academically, physically, socially, and/or emotionally. These students may
communicate their distress directly or indirectly through their writings and/or non-verbal behaviors. These
students should be referred to the counseling office if needed, and an incident report filed.
Level 2: Distressed Behaviors
 Escalation/repeat of level
one disruptive behaviors
 Irrational, erratic, or
paranoid thinking (2 or3)
 Reveals self-injurious
tendencies (2 or 3)
 Writes or jokes about
killing self
 Defamation /Extortion
 Plagiarism/cheating
(repeat offenses)
 Severe anxiety, stress, or
sadness
 Diminished ability to
cope, attend to daily
tasks, and/or take
reasonable care of
themselves. (2 or 3)
 Behavior that causes
concern and suggests
potential for future
violence. Verbal abuse or
harassment through
phone calls, emails, social
media; bizarre comments
or behavior that includes
violent content; holding
grudges, inability to
handle criticism, making
excuses, and blaming
others; chronic,
hypersensitive complaints
about persecution;
making jokes or offensive
comments about violent
acts. (2 or 3)
 Discloses personal or
family crisis
Instructor/Student Conduct Officer Response
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To convey understanding, restate what the student has said.
Talk openly and directly about your concerns, without judgments or critique.
Actively listen to the student’s concerns/feelings non-defensively.
Look for serious warning signs:
o Giving away valued possessions
o Increased substance abuse
o Sudden, dramatic changes in behavior or personality
o Loss of hope or purpose
o Extreme isolation (or other extreme disturbing behaviors.)
Referral Process
How to refer a distressed student
 Assure the student that seeking assistance does
not mean their problems are unusual or extremely
serious.
 Be frank about your own limits of time, energy,
training, and objectivity.
 Let them know that their privacy is protected
when using campus support services
Call a WVC counselor let them know you have a student
you wish to refer for counseling (509 682 6850).
Contact Person(s)
 Consult with experienced colleagues.
 Refer to WVC counselor ext. 6850- VP of Instruction (Carli Schiffner ext. 6605)Suzie Benson ext. 6515
LEVEL 3: THREATENING STUDENTS
CONTACT SECURITY-POLICE-ADMINISTRATION
Students displaying threatening behavior to themselves or others are a major concern of safety. Level three
behaviors are those behaviors that should be referred to Security (6911), Wenatchee Police (911) and the Student
Conduct office (Suzie Benson 6515). They represent an escalation of Level one or two disruptive and distressed
behaviors, as well as, more serious violations of the Student Code of Conduct.
Generally, immediate action must be taken. Appropriate action is to contact WVC security, and/or Wenatchee
Police, and/or Administration (Suzie Benson 6515)
Level 3: Threatening Behaviors
 Willful wanton and reckless damage to college property or premises or property of college community
 Having a weapon (gun, knife, Taser, mace)
 Harassment (if threatening in nature)
 Discriminatory Harassment
 Physical abuse
Strategies for dealing with Threatening Behaviors
Call Security immediately, if there is a threat of immediate danger!
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Stay on equal footing with student.
Respond only to specific unwanted behavior; avoid assumptions or diagnoses.
Don’t take it personally.
Remain calm (or fake it).
Give the person time to “cool down”.
Speak in low tones.
Be open to problem-solving.
State only the facts.
Always be respectful.
Be concise.
Focus on responding rather than reacting.
Be willing to give space.
Ask for specific complaints to be put in writing.
Ask, “How do you want this discussion to end?”
Contact Person(s)
 Contact Security, if necessary. (509) 423 3707- 6911 from campus phone, Omak security 509 422 7911or ext. 7911
 Contact Police, if necessary. 911
 Contact Administration (Suzie Benson 6515)
Please note, accused students are afforded due process, as required by college policy, as stated in the
Student Handbook under Code of Conduct and the law. Proceedings and decisions are protected and
will not necessarily result in the removal of the student from the course.
DISRUPTIVE BEHAVIORS PROTOCOL –Quick Reference
Level 1:
Disruptive Behaviors
Classroom Management, consult with colleagues or
Dean of your area (In some cases, refer to counselor)
Level 2:
Distressed Behaviors
Refer to Counseling-VP of Students or his/her designee
Counseling: Bertha Sanchez ext. 6856
Ryan Poortinga ext. 6857
Security
ext. 6911 or
509 423 3705
Omak Security ext. 7911 or 509 422 7911
Suzie Benson ext. 6515
Carli Schiffner ext. 6605
Level 3:
Threatening Behaviors
Complete Incident Report
Form(www.wvc.edu/behavioralintervention)
Refer to Student Conduct Officer/Security
WVC Security
ext. 6911 or
509 423 3705
Omak Security
ext, 7911 or 509 422 7911
Police
911
Suzie Benson ext. 6515
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Student sleeping
Cell phone
Texting
Surfing the net
Computer abuse
Facebook – accessing in the classroom
Side conversations
Multiple exits and entrances into class
Excessive lateness
Leaving class early
*Outburst in class, disturbing other students
Excessive absences
Mocking the instructor
Mocking other students/teachers
*Bullying
Inappropriate dress
Rudeness toward instructor
Student asks too many questions
*Suspicion of student being under the influence
Plagiarism/cheating
General cursing
*Cursing directed toward instructor/other students
Theft of college property or property of the college
community, i.e., stolen textbook
*Depending of the severity, you may need to call security
and file an incident report.
 Escalation/repeat of level one disruptive behaviors
 Irrational, erratic, or paranoid thinking (2 or 3)
 Reveals self-injurious tendencies (2 or 3)
 Writes or jokes about killing self
 Defamation /Extortion
 Plagiarism/cheating (repeat offenses)
 Severe anxiety, stress, or sadness
 Diminished ability to cope, attend to daily tasks, and/or
take reasonable care of themselves. (2 or 3)
 Behavior that causes concern and suggests potential for
future violence. Verbal abuse or harassment through
phone calls, emails, social media; bizarre comments or
behavior that includes violent content; holding grudges,
inability to handle criticism, making excuses, and
blaming others; chronic, hypersensitive complaints
about persecution; making jokes or offensive comments
about violent acts. (2 or 3)
 Discloses personal or family crisis
 Willful wanton and reckless damage to college property
or premises or property of college community
 Having a weapon (gun, knife, Taser, mace)
 Harassment (if threatening in nature)
 Discriminatory Harassment
 Physical abuse
Campus Emergency: Call 911 and alert Campus Security Wenatchee 6911 Omak 7911
Suggested Guidelines
CLASSROOM ETIQUETTE
AND STUDENT BEHAVIOR
GUIDELINES
The purpose of this information is to assist students in understanding proper classroom behavior. The classroom
should be a learning centered environment in which faculty and students are unhindered by disruptive behavior.
Students are expected to maintain proper decorum in the classroom. Wenatchee Valley College is an institution of higher
education that promotes the free exchange of ideas. However, students must adhere to the rules set forth by the instructor.
Failure to comply with classroom rules may result in dismissal from the class and/or the College. Faculty have the
authority to manage their classrooms to ensure an environment conducive to learning. Wenatchee Valley College
Code of Student Conduct policy 400.100, WVC student handbook Student Code of Conduct section A item 2 and
section F, Washington State Administrative Code 132W-115-080:
(1) Wenatchee Valley College expects that its students, both on and off campus, conduct themselves in a manner that maintains
high standards of integrity, honesty and morality at all times. A student who does not follow college rules will be subject to
such action as may be deemed appropriate by designated college authorities. Conduct, either on or off campus, should be of
such nature as not to reflect adversely on the reputation of the individual or the college. Students arrested for violation of
criminal law on or off campus may also be subject to disciplinary action by the college .
(2) It is expected that students will obey appropriate laws, comply with policies and procedures of the college, and maintain a
high standard of integrity and honesty. If a student does not accept these responsibilities, corrective action must be taken.
Students found in violation of standards of classroom behavior or the Wenatchee Valley College Code of Student Conduct, or
creating or participating in civil disturbances in violation of RCW 28B.10.571 and 28B.10.572 shall be subject to disciplinary
procedures.
Take responsibility for your education - There is a common myth among students that because they pay tuition they
deserve to receive credit for the class. This is not true. In fact, students pay only a portion of the cost of their education;
taxpayers pay the rest. Instructors are here to create a learning environment. Whether you learn depends on your
willingness to listen, ask appropriate questions, and do the work necessary to pass the course. If your academic
preparation from high school is weak or if you have been out of school for a period of time, you may have to work harder
and seek more help in order to succeed.
Attend every class - You will find that students who attend every class, listen to the instructor and take good notes will
be more likely to pass (with a higher grade). If you have an emergency or illness, contact your instructor ahead of time to
let her/him know that you will be absent. Studies show that students who missed the first class meeting were more likely
later to withdraw or fail. Important note: if you miss a class it is your responsibility to meet with the instructor, outside of
regular class time, to determine a plan to make up the missed work.
Get to class on time - Students who walk into the classroom late or leave early distract other students and disrupt the
learning environment.
Do not have private conversations - The noise is distracting to other students.
Turn cellular phones off - It is very distracting to hear someone’s phone go off in class.
Do not dominate other students’ opportunities to learn by asking too many questions - It’s good to ask questions
and make comments, but if you dominate the class time with too many questions and/or comments, the instructor and
other students cannot participate in class discussions. When asking questions or making comments, keep them related to
the discussion at hand.
Respect your instructor - Openly challenging the instructor’s knowledge or authority in the classroom is not proper. If
you take issue with the instructor’s information or instructional methods, make sure that your comments are made without
confrontation or antagonism. You may want to discuss your issues with her/him privately.
Instructors’ classroom policies, procedures and teaching styles vary - Some instructors enforce attendance policies
vigorously; other instructors are more lenient about attendance. Assignments and classroom activities are at the
prerogative of the instructor. Each instructor has the freedom and authority to set the guidelines and policies for their
classroom (within the overall policies of the college).
Your classmates deserve your respect and support - Others may have different ideas and opinions from yours, they
may ask questions you perceive to be “stupid,” but they deserve the same level of respect from you as you wish from
them.
Come to class prepared - Students who forget common classroom supplies such as a pencil, paper, books, test
materials, etc. usually waste class time. Students who have not completed their assigned homework many times ask
questions that could have been answered through their assignments.
Turn in your work on time - It is important to plan ahead. Students who wait until the last minute to do their work
usually make lower grades and are more likely to miss deadlines. Study and do your assignments every day. If a problem
occurs at the last minute such as a computer malfunction, you will still be prepared.
Do not bring children to class - Children in classrooms are distracting to the instructor, other students, and you. You
need to plan ahead for child care. WVC policy prohibits children in the classroom or left unattended on campus.
When having academic difficulty seek assistance - Your instructors are willing to assist you however, there are other
ways to get help. The tutor center has tutors available for many courses. Student development office can assist you with
course scheduling and career development. Specific courses, such as SDS 101 Student Development Skills (Strategies for
College Success), are offered to help you succeed.
If you have questions or need assistance, please make an appointment to see your academic advisor or call Education
Planning at 509 682 6843. They are willing to assist you so you can succeed.
Prepared by: Student Development – WVC
Parts of this document are taken from Palm Beach State College- Eissey Campus Office of Student Services
To receive an electronic copy of this document, send your email request to kberg@wvc.edu