Classroom Behavior

The classroom environment must be characterized by order, civility, and mutual respect among faculty and students. Faculty often handle classroom misunderstandings by placing their expectations in their course information sheets and addressing expectations on the first day of class. Students must also adhere to Monroe Community College's Student Code of Conduct.

When a problem arises that threatens an appropriate classroom environment, including online, laboratory, clinical setting, and other learning spaces, it is important to deal with the issue promptly according to the following steps. (There may be situations that warrant an immediate referral to the Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities, and faculty should consult their department chair in those matters.)

When a problem arises that threatens an appropriate classroom environment, including online, laboratory, clinical setting, and other learning spaces, it is important to deal with the issue promptly according to the following steps. (There may be situations that warrant an immediate referral to the Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities, and faculty should consult their department chair in those matters.)

  1. When a disruption in a classroom occurs, faculty should address the concern informally and discreetly, immediately following the disruption. Faculty should meet with the student after class or during office hours and give clear, direct notice, that the behavior is unacceptable.
  2. If the disruption continues or escalates, the student must meet with the faculty member during office hours or by appointment. All reasonable attempts should be made for this meeting to take place before the next class period to discuss the behavior and to develop a plan to amend the behavior. Faculty should document this conversation by email, to both the student and the department chair.
  3. If the behavior continues or escalates beyond step 2, faculty should seek a mediated resolution with the support of a department chair or dean. All reasonable attempts should be made for this meeting to take place before the next class period. Faculty should document this conversation by email to the student, the department chair, and/or dean.
  4. If mediation is unsuccessful and the department and faculty member determine that the behavior warrants referral to Student Services, the faculty member should file a written complaint with the Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities via the online Behavioral Incident Report (BIR) form located on the Student Rights and Responsibilities website and A-Z index. Documentation to support all of the steps thus far should be attached to the BIR form. Faculty should inform the student via email that he or she has been referred to Student Services for misconduct.

The Director of Student Rights and Responsibilities will contact the faculty member within one business day of receipt of the complaint to agree upon the most suitable immediate action:

  • If the faculty member believes that the behavior can be modified by a discussion with Student Rights and Responsibilities, the student may remain in class during the three-day investigation period.

OR

  • If the behavior is determined to be too disruptive to the learning environment*, the student will be removed immediately from class pending a three-day investigation. During the investigation period, absences incurred would not be counted toward the absence limit as established by the faculty member, but the student is still responsible for completing all assigned work.

In both cases, the investigation will include a meeting with the student and the Director of Student Rights and Responsibilities to discuss the behavior and plan to amend the behavior. The Director of Student Rights and Responsibilities will email this plan to the student, faculty member, and department chair, clearly outlining expectations regarding the student's return to class.

Upon returning to class in either case, if the student does not comply with the plan, he or she will be immediately removed and sent to the Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities, where the judicial conduct process will begin.

* This does not mean interruptions to the classroom such as sleeping or texting, but serious behavioral incidents that interfere with the learning environment of all students.