Classroom Disruptions and Steps Towards Redress

Students may not disturb normal classroom procedures by distracting or disruptive behavior. A faculty member may, at his or her discretion, eject a disruptive student from the classroom for the balance of the class period. The faculty member should document the bases for the ejection. Students are strongly urged, following an ejection, to meet with the faculty member to resolve the issue.

In certain circumstances it may be necessary for the faculty member to report misconduct to the dean of students, after the first ejection. If a student has been ejected two (2) or more times, with appropriate documentation of ejection, the faculty member should follow these steps:

  1. Notify the student in writing that he or she is in violation of university behavioral standards as listed in the Code under Classroom Disruptions. Upon receiving such notification, the student must approach the faculty member within three (3) class days to attempt to resolve the issue. No action or penalty shall be imposed until the student has been informed in writing of the charge, given an opportunity to present his or her defense, and been informed of his or her right to appeal the case to the Behavioral Standards Committee. He or she has the right to remain in class until action has been taken. An interim suspension is the only exception considered in a student’s right to remain in class until action has been taken.
  2. If the student is unable to resolve differences with the faculty member, the student shall take the grievance to the department chairperson (or academic dean if the faculty member is the department chairperson) within three (3) class days following the discussion with the faculty member. The department chairperson or academic dean shall attempt to resolve the grievance within three (3) class days by meeting with the student and faculty member.
  3. As a last resort and only after the above procedures have been carried out, the student may, upon notification to the faculty member and department chairperson/academic dean, file an appeal in writing within three (3) class days to the dean of students or designee, who will forward the appeal to the chairperson of the Behavioral Standards Committee. If the student does not wish to appeal the case, the faculty member shall immediately initiate the administrative class withdrawal process by notifying the dean of students or designee. The dean of students or designee shall notify the student within three (3) class days of the pending action and schedule a conference with the student. Following the conference, the dean of students or designee will administratively withdraw the student from the class in which he or she was enrolled, and impose an appropriate student behavioral sanction.

Administration of Disciplinary Records and Disciplinary Information

A transcript contains only academic information and disciplinary action which denies the privilege of the student to continue in or return to the university. The notation of suspension or expulsion is removed from the official transcript by the designated official when the term of the sanction has expired or when the student has been readmitted.

Academic and disciplinary records are kept separate to minimize the risk of improper disclosure. The disciplinary records shall be treated as confidential.

The contents of a student’s disciplinary record may be made available for use within the university only on the written request of the student or on direction of the chancellor or designee. Records will be given to persons outside the university only on written request of the student or in response to a court order.

The university shall maintain for every student who has been suspended or expelled, a permanent written disciplinary record of the charge, the sanction assessed, and any other pertinent information. However, for every student who has received a disciplinary sanction less than suspension or expulsion, the university shall provide for the periodic destruction of the disciplinary records after five (5) years.

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