Dealing with severe disruptive behavior in class:

If in your judgment a student is exhibiting hostile, belligerent, and/or out of control behavior you need to take immediate action.

1.Safety First! Always keep safety in mind as you interact with a disruptive student. Maintain a safe distance and a route of escape should you need it. If danger to you or the student seems imminent, call Public Safety at 75912. If no phone is available, quietly, send another person to the nearest office or emergency phone to call.

2.Avoid Escalation. Distressed students can sometimes be easily provoked. Never embarrass a student in front of other students. Take a calm and matter-of-fact approach. You may want to ask the disruptive student to leave the class. Be supportive but firm. Avoid threatening, humiliating, and intimidating responses. When a student is hostile and defiant it is best to avoid a confrontation. One can always remind them of rules at a later time.

3.Work with the Vice President for Student Affairs Office. Once the student is removed by Security or has left the class on his or her own, contact Vice President Joseph Bertolino (997-5500). Discuss the situation with the Vice President and plan a course of action. Depending on the situation an intervention by the V.P. and/or a counselor from the College Counseling & Resource Center may serve to resolve the situation. In some cases, depending upon the severity of the disruption, it may be necessary to pursue disciplinary action, including suspension from Queens College.