Faculty Handbook
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Classroom Management and Resources
Every so often you will have disruptive students in your class. Here are some helpful tips on how to handle them, what your role is as the classroom teacher and classroom manager, and when administration can step in to help you. Some basic points to remember in handling disruptive students in class: 1. Disruptive behavior in the classroom is seldom a black and white matter. Picture it as a continuum with mild disruption that could easily be handled with minimal classroom management approach on the one end and totally disruptive behavior that has to be dealt with immediately through removal from class on the other end. There is a lot of gray area or middle ground here that calls upon the judgment and people skills of the instructor. Subjectivity can also come into play: Sometimes what one instructor will tolerate, another may not. 2. Mild disruption in the classroom calls for mild action on the part of the instructor, and extreme disruption calls for extreme action on the part of the instructor. That goes without saying. 3. When the not so severe disruption first occurs, students should be given verbal warning, preferably privately, but if warranted, in the presence of the class where that behavior occurred. Persistence of the disruptive behavior requires more serious discipline, including written warning to the effect that if the behavior persists, you will have to ask him/her to leave the class. This is the concept of progress discipline. It is not advisable to say or do nothing to the student about the continual disruption, and then lower the boom and remove the student. Deliberations in petitions and legal challenges often raise the question, “Have you told the student that his behavior is unacceptable?” or “Have you warned the student that further disruption will have serious consequences?” 4. When this disruptive behavior persists after verbal or written warnings, or if there is an extreme disruption, even without a history of disruption (e.g. student yelling at the instructor in front of the class and would not desist), the instructor can remove the student for up to two class meetings including that class. For example, the instructor can say, “I would like you to leave. You are disrupting the class.” If the student ignores your direction, you can say, “If you don’t leave on your own, I will have to have you removed.” Usually that will work, but if that doesn’t, then calling the campus police is appropriate. 5. The more severe the discipline, the more due process rights the student will have. For instructor-initiated removal up to two class meetings, the instructor should document the incident and send it to his Chair and Dean. Documentation should be factual, descriptive of what you saw or what happened, use behavioral terms, and not use quasi-diagnostic or speculative language. One example: “He yelled for 5 minutes and refused to sit down when I asked him to,” is documented behavior and an acceptable form of documentation. Another example: “He yelled for 5 minutes because I think he has psychological problems,” contains unwarranted speculation. We are not qualified to make that statement because the second half of that statement may or may not be true. 6. Any longer suspension—such as “I don’t want you in my class at all” requires administrative action by Ed Code. Discuss with your Dean beforehand who will in turn notify the Dean of Student Development who is responsible for student discipline. Important: What constitutes unacceptable behavior is listed in the Catalog under Student Conduct. The language is pretty standard, taken from the California Ed Code. Please familiarize yourself with that section. The trickier part of student discipline is often the behavior in the gray area of the continuum where it is harder to discern whether it calls for classroom management or student discipline. Feel free to consult with the Dean of Student Development if you have questions. Nick Chang - 2008Upon enrolling in the College, students assume an obligation to conduct themselves in a manner compatible with the educational purposes of the College. If this obligation is neglected or ignored by students, the College shall in the interest of fulfilling its function, institute appropriate disciplinary action. The following conduct will not be tolerated and shall constitute good cause for discipline, including, but not limited to, removal, suspension or expulsion of a student.
Student Conduct Regarding Academic Honesty The following conduct will not be tolerated and shall constitute good cause for discipline, including, but not limited to, removal, suspension or expulsion of a student:
Academic Complaints A complaint that involves a student and a member of the faculty is defined as a student academic complaint. Such a complaint shall be limited to issues involving grade assignments and demonstrated mistreatment. The process for such a complaint begins with an attempt by the parties involved to resolve the complaint informally. If the complaint is not resolved at a lower level there are a series of formal steps leading to a final determination by the Board of Trustees of the College. The procedures and guidelines on the filing of an academic complaint are available from the Dean of Student Development, or his/her designee. All members of the College community share the responsibility to participate in an environment that is free of any forms of harassment. The Harassment Policy of the College specifically identifies four forms of harassment: verbal, physical, visual, and sexual (5.0004). It is the policy of the Board to prohibit harassment of an employee, applicant or student by a District employee on the basis of race, religious creed, color, ancestry, national origin, disability, medical condition, marital status, sexual orientation, sex or age. In the case of any form of harassment you should report the incident immediately and directly to the appropriate Dean. Harassment Grievances can be filed based upon Section 504 and Title IX. Contact either the Affirmative Action Officer, Executive Dean of Human Resources and Labor Relations, or the 504 Coordinator for further information. College of Marin believes that students should have recourse from unfair and improper action on the part of any member of the college community. If a student believes that he or she has been subject to unjust actions or denied his or her rights, that student can file a complaint or an appeal of the decision/action taken in response to a complaint (MCCD Board policy 4.00.23 [EC 67121]). For academic policy other than grade disputes, the following procedures summarize the complaint and appeal processes. (Note: The complaint and appeal processes do not apply to grades, criminal acts, sexual harassment, discrimination, and personnel matters.) Non-criminal complaints are referred to the dean, manager, or supervisor of the area involved. Non-criminal complaints are:
Informal resolution between the parties involved is strongly recommended. If such a resolution does not occur, students may follow the procedures outlined below. By mutual agreement, involved parties may resolve the problem between themselves at any time and discontinue the complaint or appeal process. Emergencies, physical threats and dangerous conditions should be referred to the Campus Police.
Student Complaints Students with complaints regarding discrimination, sexual harassment, and personnel matters should contact Linda Beam, Director of Human Resources, Administrative Center, Kentfield Campus, 415-485-9504. Types of Records and Locations The Office of Admissions and Records will maintain documents completed by the student, such as applications, petitions and Advanced Placement and CLEP scores for the period of time required by law. These records, as well as a permanent record for all academic work completed at the College, are maintained by the Dean of Enrollment Services in the Office of Admissions and Records. Students may obtain two free transcripts of their College of Marin permanent academic record by submitting a Transcript Request Form. A $6 charge will be made for each subsequent copy. Student Rights Related to Academic Records Occasionally, the College of Marin receives requests from various agencies seeking directory information on our students. These agencies can be public, private or governmental in origin, e.g., scholarship search companies, public or private colleges and universities, U.S. Military (Department of Defense), and others. Please refer all such requests to Admissions and Records. Student's Right to Privacy and FERPA
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College of Marin is one of 112 public community colleges in California and is fully accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. Approximately 10,000 credit and noncredit students enroll each fall and spring semester. Classes also are offered during the summer.
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