Responding to Student Problems: Disruption
Members of the faculty and staff occasionally encounter students who are disruptive in the classroom or elsewhere on campus. The following information may be useful to you in responding to a situation in which a student is behaving in a disruptive or threatening manner.
Responding to Disruptive/Threatening Behavior
When improper student conduct obstructs or disrupts classes or other University functions, or when the safety of members of the Ohio University campus community is endangered by threats of violence or violent acts, the campus has identified the following courses of action:
- If a student appears to threaten harm to others, immediately contact the Ohio University Police Department (740) 593-1911, Scott Quad 135. The police will handle all aspects of the investigation.
- If a student appears to threaten harm to themselves, immediately contact Ohio University Police Department who will assess the need to involve campus or community mental health professionals. The Ohio University Police Department will work with the mental health professionals to arrange for appropriate intervention and treatment.
- If a student is disruptive, he or she should be immediately asked to stop and warned that disruption can result in student disciplinary action as outlined in the Ohio University Student Code of Conduct. (Copies of the Student Code of Conduct can be found on the University's web site at www.ohio.edu/judiciaries, in the online Student Handbook, and at University Judiciaries, and the Office of the Dean of Students.)
- If the student continues the disruption despite the warning, faculty/staff are authorized to ask the student to leave the area and may inform the student that the case will be referred to University Judiciaries for disciplinary action.
- If the student refuses to leave after being instructed to do so, they should be informed that this refusal is a separate violation of the Student Code of Conduct (failure to comply with directions of a University official) and may be subject to additional student conduct sanctions.
- If, in the faculty/staff member's best judgment, a disruptive student's threats or refusal to leave creates a safety risk or makes it impossible to continue class or other University functions, they should contact the Ohio University Police Department immediately.
Even if the Police Department does not file criminal charges, the faculty/staff member may refer a student to University Judiciaries for disciplinary action. In most cases, the Police Department makes the referral.
Only in an emergency, disciplinary procedures can be used to suspend a student immediately or exclude him or her from campus if a student's actions threaten the good order and discipline of the University. The President can implement this action upon the recommendation of the Vice President for Student Affairs.
Non-students and students not enrolled in class may be removed permanently without formal review. Such individuals have no right to attend class without the instructor's permission and should be asked to leave. Contact the Ohio University Police Department should such a problem arise.
(PLEASE NOTE: A disruptive student cannot be removed permanently from a class in which they are enrolled without formal review and proper due process as outlined in the Student Code of Conduct. Questions should be directed to Director of Judiciaries at 740.593.2629.
The Student Code of Conduct and Disruptive Students
Students at all of Ohio University's campuses are governed by the Student Code of Conduct. A disruptive student can be referred to the University Judiciaries by any faculty, staff or other students for disciplinary action when they are alleged to have violated the Code. University Judiciaries conducts investigations, meets with all parties, and processes the referrals as described in the procedure portion of the Code.
Sanctions can range from a simple written warning to University expulsion. Discretionary sanctions such as mandatory counseling, community service and written assignments are administered along with probationary status in many cases involving disruptive students. The disciplinary procedures are designed to protect the campus community, be educational in nature, and ensure due process.
Privacy rights of the students involved are protected by FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act) throughout the entire process. The complete Student Code of Conduct can be found elsewhere in this handbook as well at the University's website at www.ohio.edu/judiciaries, at University Judiciaries, and at the Office of the Dean of Students.
Making a Referral
If you have determined that a student may benefit from professional counseling, it is typically helpful to talk with the student in a direct manner that demonstrates your concern for the student. Again, reinforce the person for confiding in you, acknowledge their concern, and suggest that they may benefit from talking to someone who is trained to help students who are having difficulties.
Suggest to the student that he or she may benefit from talking with someone trained to help.
- Tell the student about the services available to them at Counseling and Psychological Services.
- Offer to call Counseling and Psychological Services for the student while they are in your office.
- If a student is skeptical about seeking help, express your acceptance of those feelings.
- If a student is resistant to seeing a counselor (as is sometimes the case), a second option is to refer him or her to a health educator at Health Education & Wellness.
- Encourage the student to be open to reconsidering counseling at a later time.
Consultation is available
If you decide to help a student at risk, please be aware that staff members at Counseling and Psychological Services are available for consultation. Feel free to contact them to ask for assistance. Staff members can help with the following:
- Assessing the situation and its seriousness
- Identifying the best way to facilitate the student's use of counseling services
- Clarifying your own concerns and feelings about the student
- Answering questions about how to effectively interact with the student
Counseling and Psychological Services
Counseling and Psychological Services is located at 314 Hudson Health Center and the phone number is (740) 593-1616. The department is open from 8:00 a.m. to noon and 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, and its staff provides individual and group counseling. When a student calls, the receptionist will arrange for the student to meet with an individual counselor for the intake appointment as soon as possible. If the student appears to be in need of immediate help, the student may be seen the same day on an emergency basis. During this first intake session, the student will complete some information forms before meeting individually with a counselor. When meeting with the counselor, the student's needs will be assessed, and it will be determined how the student can best be served in the department. All services are confidential by law. Currently enrolled students are eligible for all services free of charge for up to 13 sessions per academic year. Individual counseling is the primary service offered by the Center with services provided by a staff of licensed psychologists and supervised graduate interns.
Emergency, urgent care, walk-in appointments are available between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. Should a student require emergency care when the counseling center is not open, refer the student to the emergency room at O'Bleness Memorial Hospital or call the Ohio University Police Department at (740) 593-1911.
Important telephone numbers and addresses
Medical Emergency
911
Campus Safety
135 Scott Quad
(740) 593-1911
Counseling and Psychological Services
314 Hudson Health Center
(740) 593-1616
Office of the Dean of Students
345 Baker University Center
(740) 593-1800
Health Promotion
339 Baker University Center
(740) 593-4742
University Judiciaries
349 Baker University Center
(740) 593-2629
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