Richard Discenza, Ph.D.

STUDENT CLASSROOM/COURSE-RELATED BEHAVIOR POLICY

UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO AT COLORADO SPRINGS

Introduction

Students and faculty share the responsibility for maintaining a positive learning environment.  Students who fail to adhere to behavioral standards will be subject to discipline.  Faculty have a responsibility to treat students with understanding, dignity, and respect, to guide classroom discussion and to set reasonable limits on the manner in which students express opinions. 

Disruptive students in the academic setting hinder the educational process.  Although disruptive student conduct is already prohibited by Regent Laws and the CU-Colorado Springs Students’ Rights and Responsibilities: Standards of Conduct, the purpose of this policy is to clarify what constitutes disruptive behavior in an academic setting; what actions faculty and Academic Deans (or their designees) may take in response to disruptive conduct; and the authority of the Dean of Students Office to initiate disciplinary proceedings against students for disruptive conduct.

What Constitutes Disruption?

"Disruption," as applied to the academic setting, means behavior that a reasonably faculty member would view as interfering with normal academic functions.  Examples include, but are not limited to, persistently speaking without being recognized or interrupting other speakers, behavior which distracts the class from the subject matter, or in extreme cases, physical threats, harassing behavior or personal insults, or refusal to comply with faculty direction.

Civil expression of disagreement with the course instructor, during times when the instructor permits discussion, is not in itself disruptive behavior and is not prohibited. 

Some disruptive students may have emotional, mental, or physical disorders.  Although such students may be diagnosed with disabilities and eligible for accommodation under the Rehabilitation Act/ADA, they are held to the same standards of conduct as other students. 

Policy:

• Students are required to adhere to the standards listed in the CU-Colorado Springs Students’ Rights and Responsibilities: Standards of Conduct and to refrain from disrupting classes and other academic settings.
• If a student is disruptive, the faculty member and/or the relevant Academic Dean (or designee) may ask the student to stop the disruptive behavior and warn the student that such disruptive behavior can result in academic or disciplinary action.
• A faculty member is authorized to remove a student from the classroom or other academic sites if the faculty member deems it necessary.  If the faculty member does this, s/he shall file a Disruptive Incident Report with the Dean of Students Office and the Academic Dean of the College or Department Chair (as determined by the College) within 24 hours.  The Dean of Students Office shall provide the student with a copy of the report.
• A faculty member may also exclude the student from the classroom or other academic area pending resolution of the matter by: (1) informing the student of the exclusion, (2) informing the student of his/her rights to request an expedited review of the exclusion, and (3) immediately referring the matter to the Dean of Students Office by submitting the Disruptive Incident Report and informing the relevant Academic Dean.  If such exclusion occurs, and if the student requests a review, the Dean of Students Office shall review the exclusion within three business days of the date the student requests the review.
• Nothing in this policy prohibits an immediate call to the CU-Colorado Springs Department of Public Safety or referral of the matter to the Dean of Students Office or the relevant Academic Dean, as determined to be appropriate by the classroom instructor.

Possible Sanctions

Authority of Instructor and Relevant Academic Dean (or designee):

• Warning;
• Exclusion from the instructor’s classroom or academic area, pending expedited review by the Dean of Students Office
• Academic sanctions, if course participation is a component of the final grade and is indicated in the course syllabus.

Authority of the Dean of Students Office:

• Warning;
• Educational sanctions (e.g., classes, papers or community service);
• Disciplinary probation;
• Suspension*;
• Expulsion*;
• Exclusion from any part of all of campus.

Authority of the Chancellor or Vice Chancellor:

• Summary suspension;
• Exclusion from any part of all of campus.

*In cases of suspension and expulsion, the student will receive a failing grade for the course and will not be refunded any of the educational costs for the course.