Classroom Conduct

Key Takeaways

INSTRUCTORS:

Professors, Program Chair/Directors, and Academic Deans have oversight for classroom conduct. According to the University Catalog.

Enrollment in a class may be terminated by an administrative withdrawal due to unsatisfactory conduct in the class; disrespect of an instructor, faculty member, administrator, or staff member; academic dishonesty; judicial misconduct; or sanctions.

FORMAL NOTIFICATION(S)

A faculty member who wishes to request that a student(s) be administratively withdrawn should inform the department chairperson, support the request with evidence that the student(s) was warned either in writing or verbally and notify the Office of Academic Advising. The Office of Academic Advising will process the Administrative Withdrawal and notify the student in writing. All refund and financial aid policies apply.

STUDENT CODE OF CONDUCT REFERRAL(S)

Classroom conduct may be referred, investigated, and addressed under the Code of Student Conduct when the alleged behavior is significantly pervasive and/or severe such that it limits an individual’s ability to participate in educational programs at the University and constitutes a violation of the Code of Student Conduct. Classroom conduct may be referred to the Title IX Coordinator when the alleged behavior may constitute a violation of the University’s Sexual Misconduct Policy.

Intervention Steps

The instructor is strongly encouraged to notify the student privately and firmly that the behavior is concerning. Putting the student “on notice” may often result in the deescalation of the problematic behavior.

Verbal & Written Warning(s)

The student should be informed that the behavior they are engaged in (give examples and/or summary) is disruptive to the learning environment. Explain to the student that if the behavior continues they may be administratively withdrawn from the course resulting in a “W” on the transcript. A written follow-up by email to the student–copying the department/program chair–should be sent summarizing the discussion, the expectations for corrective behavior(s), and the consequences if the behavior is not corrected.

Documenting the Incident with Evidence

We recommend that instructors file an initial report of the incident and early corrective interventions via Maxient Form (forthcoming; meanwhile, please keep all evidence and correspondence if asked to submit). The collection of the evidence is important if/when students dispute the allegation(s) and the decision to administratively withdraw if the incident escalates. Evidence is helpful to show the student was given “due process” (an opportunity to correct the behavior) before the decision was made to administratively withdraw the student if the behavior is not corrected.

Withdrawing the Student From the Course

If the behavior continues, the instructor has the right to escalate the administrative intervention by requesting the student’s removal from the course with the support of the  department/program chair, principally, and, if desired, with the support of the College Dean’s office. We request a written request for administrative withdrawal sent to advising@laverne.edu or to the Registrar (reg@laverne.edu).

MAXIENT FORM (FORTHCOMING)