2.25 – Classroom Expectations and Disciplinary Withdrawal

A.     Purpose

To establish standardized classroom expectations that foster a productive learning environment and the process for addressing disruptive behavior.

B.     Policy

The college authorizes faculty to establish, communicate, and enforce standards necessary to maintain a productive learning environment in the classroom.

C.     Procedures

Classroom Expectations for Faculty

Faculty have the right to set expectations and rules to govern their classroom environment. These must be communicated in the course syllabus.

Faculty have the right to academic freedom, as defined in 2.01 – Academic Freedom and Responsibility.

Faculty must adhere to expectations as defined in 2.73 – Faculty Workload and Expectations, including the provision of instruction that demonstrates high academic standards and the expectation of modeling appropriate behavior for students.

Classroom Expectations for Students

In support of productive classroom environments, the below statement is required to be included in all syllabi:

Classroom Behavior Standards: Students are expected to participate actively in the learning experience and must adhere to the classroom behavior standards set forth in this syllabus, and other directives as communicated by the instructor. Specifically, all students are expected to help create a learning environment conducive to effective teaching and learning for all participants. Behavior that disrupts teaching and learning is unacceptable; accordingly, all in-person or online interaction should be civilized, respectful, and relevant to the topic. Differing opinions and engaging classroom discussions are critical to learning, but inappropriate behavior that disrespects others or inhibits others from learning may result in actions and/or sanctions, including but not limited to, removal from the classroom and/or the course. Habitual offenses may result in a referral to college administration and/or OTC Safety and Security.

Minor Disruptions, Disciplinary Withdrawal, and Appeal Process

Minor Disruptions are behaviors that significantly distract from and disrupt the learning environment, but do not violate policy 5.15 Standards of Student Conduct. Minor disruptive behaviors can include, but are not limited to:

    • Routinely entering class late or departing early, unless prior arrangements have been made with the instructor.
    • Repeatedly talking in class without being called upon.
    • Sleeping in class.
    • Refusal to actively participate.
    • Repeated interruption of instructors and/or students.
    • Aggressively challenging instructors or students.
    • Unauthorized use of electronic or personal devices or electronic or personal devices that are disruptive by repeatedly ringing and/or emitting sound during class. These may include, but are not limited to, cell phones, laptops, earbuds/headphones and/or smart watches.
    • Repeated instances of electronic or personal device distraction during class, including but not limited to, texting, gaming, and/or scrolling social media.
    • General displays of rudeness, incivility, defiance, or disrespect in any learning environment, in-person or virtual.

Faculty may address minor disruptions informally with the student (including during a class session, at the instructor’s discretion), with any action beyond a first verbal warning being documented in an OTC email to the student and the department chair, program director, and/or dean or other academic administrator, as deemed appropriate by the instructor. Should disruptions occur across multiple class meetings, faculty members should consult with academic leadership, when possible, to review college procedures.

When students persist in disrupting a class meeting, they may be asked to leave for the remainder of the class period. The faculty member will follow up with the student via OTC email within one (1) business day with terms for returning to class and submit an OTC Cares Student Conduct Referral.

If the student refuses to leave the classroom, this becomes a major disruptive behavior and Safety and Security should be called to assist.

If, despite these measures, class disruption persists, the faculty member may request a disciplinary withdrawal for the student from their course. If the request is approved by college administration, and the student wishes to contest the disciplinary withdrawal, the student must, within three (3) business days of the written notification of the withdrawal, submit the disciplinary withdrawal appeal form to the provost. Upon receipt, the provost (or provost’s designee) will contact the student within two (2) business days to discuss the situation and reasons for the withdrawal; then, within two (2) business days, the provost (or provost’s designee) will provide a determination via email as to whether the disciplinary withdrawal should stand. The provost’s (or provost’s designee’s) decision is final.

Major Disruptions

Major Disruptions are behaviors that significantly distract from and/or disrupt the learning process and violate policy 5.15 Standards of Student Conduct. Major disruptive behaviors can include, but are not limited to:

If the instructor deems the behavior to be a major disruption, and initial reasonable measures have failed or the instructor believes there is any risk of violence to person or property, the class may be adjourned, and OTC’s Safety and Security called. The instructor will also inform their dean, department chair or program director, or other appropriate academic administrator of the disruption.

After the incident, the instructor will submit an OTC Cares Student Conduct Referral detailing the incident and identifying the parties involved. The dean of students (or designee) and academic leadership will review the incident for any applicable disciplinary actions per OTC Policy 5.16 – Student Discipline and Appeals.

D.     Definitions

Classroom is any environment, physical or virtual, in which students are participating with an expectation of learning course content and accomplishing course objectives.

Classroom disruption is behavior a reasonable person would view as substantially or repeatedly interfering with normal class activities.

Student is all persons taking courses with Ozarks Technical Community College, for college credit or non-credit, for continuing education, personal development, adult education and literacy or professional development, whether or not pursuing any degree or program offered by Ozarks Technical Community College. The college has jurisdiction for disciplinary purposes over persons who were enrolled students at the time they allegedly violated the Standards of Student Conduct. Individuals who withdraw after allegedly violating the Standards of Student Conduct, who are not officially enrolled for a particular term but who have a continuing relationship with the college, or who have been notified of their acceptance for admission are considered students under this policy.

E.  Authority

This policy is maintained under the authority of the executive vice chancellor for academic affairs.

F.      Related Policies
2.01 – Academic Freedom and Responsibility

2.61 – Attendance Requirements

2.73 – Faculty Workload, Expectations, and Additional Compensation

4.06 – Sex Discrimination and Sex-based Harassment Grievance Procedures

5.15 – Standards of Student Conduct

5.16 – Student Discipline and Appeals

G. Implementation

Policy approved and adopted by the Board of Trustees on 10/09/2024.

Purpose, procedures, responsibilities, and definitions approved and adopted by the Cabinet on 10/04/2024. Set for review in fiscal year 2028-2029.