Disruptive Activity Policy

Disruption or obstruction of teaching, research, administration, or other college activities (including public-service functions on or off campus) or of other authorized non-College activities when conduct occurs on College premises. Disruptive activity may include, but is not limited to:

• Leading or inciting others to disrupt scheduled and/or normal activities on College premises
• Classroom behavior that interferes with either (1) the ability to conduct the class or (2) the ability of other students to profit from the instructional program (See Loras College policy on Classroom Behavior)
• Any behavior in class or out of class, which for any reason interferes with the class work of others, involves disorder, or otherwise disrupts the regular and essential operation of College premises.

Loras College supports the principle of freedom of expression for both instructors and students. The College respects the rights of instructors to teach and students to learn. Maintenance of these rights requires classroom conditions that do not impede their exercise. Classroom behavior that interferes with either (1) the ability to conduct the class or (2) the ability of other students to profit from the instructional program will not be tolerated. An individual engaging in disruptive activity may be subject to disciplinary action.

When a student’s behavior in a class is so disruptive as to compel immediate action, the instructor has the authority to remove the student from the class. When a student has been removed from class, the instructor should notify the Associate Dean in writing within 24 hours of the student being removed from class. A student who has been removed from a class shall arrange for and attend a meeting with the instructor and his/her Division Chair within three business days of the removal. The outcome of this meeting may be either:

• An agreement of expectations between the student and the instructor and the reinstatement of the student to the class
  or
• The continued removal of the student from the class and transfer of documentation to the Associate Dean of Instruction and Assessment and copied to the Dean of Students.

The outcome of the above meeting should also be shared with the Associate Dean.

When a student’s misbehavior does not require immediate removal from the class, these steps shall be followed:

• The instructor responsible for the class or activity where the disruptive behavior occurred shall inform the student that his/her behavior has been inappropriate. The instructor shall describe to the student specific needed changes in the student’s behavior. The student shall be provided an opportunity to modify his/her behavior in accordance with the changes identified. The instructor shall provide the student with a written, dated summary of his/her discussion with the student, and the instructor will retain a file copy of this summary and provide a copy to the Division Chair or School Dean.
• If a student believes the instructor’s expectations are unreasonable, he/she may confer with the instructor’s Division Chair to review this matter. If the instructor is also theDivision Chair then the student may confer with the Associate Dean of Instruction and Assessment.
• Should a student’s behavior continue to be unacceptable, the instructor shall remove the student from the course and the classroom behavior policy described above shall be put into effect.