Jeff Smith
Student Judicial Affairs Officer
Aims Community College
Drug use signs and symptoms
Sudden change in behavior
Mood swings
Careless about personal grooming
Red, glassy, or watery eyes
Sniffly or runny nose
Wired, talkative, dilated pupils, unusual sweating,
exaggerated movements
Confusion, anxious, depressed, short temper
Medical conditions
Sudden change in behavior (shock, stroke, MCI)
Mood swings (shock, stroke, MCI)
Careless about personal grooming (shock, poison)
Red, glassy, or watery eyes (head trauma)
Sniffly or runny nose (allergies, shock)
Wired, talkative, dilated pupils, unusual sweating,
exaggerated movements (stroke, shock, MCI)
Confusion, anxious, depressed, short temper (?)
Stages of response
Call 911 (how do you know they are ok?)
Call your building coordinator
Review building safety plans each semester
Low Level
•Is there a low level?
•Drug use violates Code of Conduct
•Medical condition could be life threatening
•Document, document, document
Stages of response
Call 911 (how do you know they are ok?)
Call your building coordinator
Review building safety plans each semester
• Medium Level (moderate concern)
• Dismiss class for a few minutes or day if
necessary
• Express concern for the student health and
wellbeing
• Contact campus security for assistance
• Document, document, document
Stages of response
Call 911 (how do you know they are ok?)
Call your building coordinator
Review building safety plans each semester
•High Level (acute concern)
•Dismiss the class
•Maintain a safe distance
•Remain calm and protect yourself
•Document, document, document
What is more common
Disruptive behavior
Texting, emailing, or using cell phones/lap tops during class
Arriving late or leaving early
Talking or chit chat during lecture
Obscene language
Disrespectful or rude behavior
Persistent arguing with the instructor
Monopolizing conversation
Frustrating efforts of the instructor to maintain control
Violating class conduct provisions of course syllabi
Verbally abusing or threatening anyone
Response options
Ask the student to stop the activity of behavior
Explain to the student their behavior violated the Code of Conduct
Email the student expressing concern for the behavior and the
violation of the Code of Conduct
Advise the student that further violations will not be tolerated, could
cause removal from class, and trigger the Student Disciplinary
Process
If the student needs to be removed from class, inform the student in
a calm and professional manner that they need to leave the class.
If the student refuses to leave or demonstrates resistance, call for
security to remove the student
If possible, alert security, your Chair, and your Dean ahead of time
It is recommended not to re-admit the student until the Student
Disciplinary Process is completed
Don’t take the issue personally
You are in charge of the classroom
Students and the College expect you to handle classroom conduct issues
You are the authority-subject matter expert
Establish early on the need for students to pay attention and learn from your
experience
You have no idea what is going on in the personal life of the student and
their behavior could be a result of outside factors you have no control over
Colorado law states that every individual or corporation who has reasonable
grounds to believe a crime has been committed has a duty to report the
suspected crime to law enforcement authorities
(Colorado Revised Statutes § 18-8-115).
From Day 1
Cover the syllabus and your expectations
Cover your feelings on civility and etiquette
Show them your knowledge and teaching
ability is a gift and that they can learn a
great deal more by being engaged
You ARE the authority on your subject
matter
You are a tremendous resource
Practice Civility
Show respect and fairness to everyone in class
Maintain your professional advantage
Ask the student to speak with you privately about
their concerns
Be friendly, not friends