Potentially Disruptive Students

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Potentially Disruptive Students

Many of the inappropriate behaviors can be easily and directly dealt with by faculty and staff. However, other cases may require consultation, campus or college disciplinary action, or immediate emergency response. This information is provided by the collegewide Division of Student Affairs and is designed to help faculty and staff members assess problem behavior and determine the appropriate course of action.

The term "disruptive conduct" applies to behavior that persistently or grossly impairs, interferes with, or obstructs the mission, purpose, order, academic atmosphere, operation, process, and function of Broward College.

Making loud or distracting noises.
Repeatedly entering and leaving the classroom.
Failure to comply with verbal or written directions of college staff acting in the performance of their duties.
Exhibiting erratic, irrational, or disorderly behavior.
Repeatedly answering or making calls on a cellular phone or allowing pagers to beep.
Physical abuse, threats or verbal insults, and intimidating behavior, and any other activity the faculty/staff member may deem disruptive in the class/office environment.

While campus disruption can be seen as a disciplinary issue as defined by the Student Code of Conduct (outlined in the student handbook), faculty and staff are encouraged to provide a first-level response to resolve disruptions in their own settings. If the behavior is threatening or serious in nature, call campus security or 911, if needed.



In order to foster a campus of respect and civility, it is important for staff and faculty to articulate expectations, encourage discussion, and respond to problems consistently and in a timely manner.
Faculty members are responsible for the management of their classrooms and encounter fewer problems with student behavior when they clearly state their expectations about the importance of respectful classroom behavior and include those expectations in their syllabi, as well as reviewing orally at the beginning of each term. While the college environment is a place where the free exchange of ideas can take place in an atmosphere that allows for debate and disagreement, all classroom behavior and discourse should reflect the values of civility and respect. Students and faculty members share the responsibility to maintain a learning environment that reflects these values.

Respond immediately to problem behaviors before they escalate. Any problem should be dealt with and resolved at the lowest level possible.
Once there is a situation in which the student's behavior become disruptive, there is a basis for intervention. When a safe campus environment is jeopardized, faculty/staff have a right and a responsibility to intervene.
Before the situation develops into a crisis, consider referring a student exhibiting disruptive or inappropriate behavior to the dean/director of student affairs.
If the behavior is irritating, but not disruptive, try speaking with the student in private. The conversation should include a description of the problem behavior, why it is a problem, expectations for future behavior, and the specific consequence of continued problems.
Document the problem behaviors in writing on the students discipline/counseling referral form and submit copies to indicated staff and immediate supervisor.
A student who persist in disruptive behavior may be directed by the faculty/staff member to leave the classroom/office. The student should be told the reason(s) for such action and given opportunity to discuss the action as soon as possible with the faculty/staff member and/or dean of student affairs.

Immediate threat

If a student poses a threat to the safety of himself/herself or others, becomes physically or verbally abusive, campus security should be contacted immediately.

Otherwise...

Level 1: Faculty/staff member discusses student's behavior with student, preferably in private, explaining why it is considered disruptive (i.e. Student Code of Conduct). Expectations of faculty/staff should be stressed.

Level 2: If behavior is repeated or new disruptive behaviors occurs, the student should be given a verbal and written warning regarding possible consequences of continued disruptive behavior.

Written warnings should be copied to the faculty member's associate dean, student services office of the college, and the office of the dean/director of student affairs.

Level 3: If the behavior continues, the faculty member may ask the student to leave the class, refer him/her to the dean/director of student affairs (using the student disruption form) and/or, in cases of extreme disruptive behavior, faculty may call campus security to remove the student, if necessary.



	In serious cases of disruptive behavior, students may be referred to the dean of student affairs for possible college disciplinary action, including suspension or dismissal in accordance with Broward College policies and procedures 6Hx2-5.02 and A6Hx2-5.02 (Student Code of Conduct), and 6Hx2-5.19 and A6Hx2-5.19 (Dismissal of Disruptive Students). Referrals to the dean of student affairs require complete written documentation of the problem behavior. The documentation should contain only factual and descriptive information as the student may be entitled to review the report. A disciplinary hearing may be held to discuss the facts in the case, hear the student's perspective and determine appropriate remedies.

Campus Security

Downtown	Bldg. 31	954-201-7419
Downtown	Bldg. 33	954-201-7636
Central	Bldg. 19	954-474-8786
North	Bldg. 46	954-275-6804
South	Bldg. 71	954-893-5700
Pines/Weston/Miramar		954-201-3601 954-201-8501

Chief Student Affairs Officers

Vice President for Student Affairs
Angelia Millender	954-201-7486

Downtown Center
Dean Eileen Garcia	954-201-7420

Central Campus
Dean David Asencio	954-201-6522

North Campus
Dean Peter Barbatis	954-201-2301

South Campus
Dean Janice Stubbs	954-201-8903

Pines/Weston/Miramar Centers
Coord, Roslyn Bailey-Oddman	954-201-3603

Office of Disability Services

Collegewide Coordinator	954-201-7655
Downtown Center	954-201-7517
Central Campus	954-201-6527
North Campus	954-201-2313
South Campus/Pines/Weston/Miramar	954-201-8913

This page was last modified on Wed, Oct 21, 2009

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