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Department of Risk Assessment

Managing Disruptive Behavior

Faculty and staff can refer to this page for assistance with classroom disruptions.

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Managing Classroom Disruptions from Enrolled Students

While some classroom disruptions can be signs of a student in distress, many are simply acts of ignorance or disrespect that don’t indicate a higher level of concern. Common examples include arriving late to class, inappropriate comments or questions, and interrupting the lecture or discussion. By sharing your concerns with the student in private, you’ll have an opportunity to assess whether the student would benefit from additional support.

Steps for confronting disruptive behavior:

  1. Ask the student to speak with you privately. This can occur during or after class but it is best to do so at a time when it will be least disruptive to the rest of the class (during a break, during group work time, following class). In most cases, we recommend speaking with the student during or immediately following the same class in which the behavior occurred. This should happen in a private location – one where other students will not overhear you.
  2. Inform the student of the problem behavior. In most cases, it is best to express concern without judgment. It’s important to focus on the behaviors and to avoid anything that might sound like a judgment of the student themselves. You might also use this time as an opportunity to share the impact of their behavior.
  3. Inform the student of your expectations for his or her behavior going forward. This can be done simply by reiterating that the behavior described cannot happen going forward. In most cases, however, it is best to frame this part of the conversation in terms of what you want the student to do.
  4. Ask the student if he or she can abide by your expectations going forward. This last step is to ensure that the student received the message and understands that you plan to hold the student accountable. It also offers the student an opportunity to object and share his or her own concerns.
  5. Consider checking in with the disruptive student at a later date. You may also submit a Concerning Behavior Referral (CBR) to connect them to additional assistance, especially if they identify areas where they could use additional support or resources.
  6. Follow up with impacted students. Acknowledge the disruption and share the CBR form if they need additional support or campus resources.

When a student can be removed from class:

The policy for whether an instructor may ask a student to leave a class is covered by Section 6 of the Code of Student Conduct. Generally speaking, faculty are responsible for managing conduct within their classrooms. Faculty may ask a student to leave for the remainder of a class when the student’s behavior is unlawful or results in disruption to the class. The student would be allowed to return the following class. If the student refuses to leave, faculty can contact University Police. If a student escalates further or becomes aggressive, we recommend the faculty member end the class and invite all students to leave; then contact University Police and submit a Concerning Behavior Referral (CBR).

Managing Classroom Disruptions from Others

While classroom disruptions are most likely to come from enrolled students, you may experience disruptive behavior from others. While every case may be unique, there are ways to minimize risk and de-escalate a situation before outside help arrives. Below are tips to prevent these disruptions and what to do if someone who is not enrolled in your class enters the room.

Prevention:

  • Keep classroom doors closed during instruction when possible.
  • Save these key contacts:
    • University Police (UPD): 919.515.3000
    • Department of Risk Assessment: 919.513.4224
      • Risk Assessment should be called for consultations related to prevention or after an incident has occurred, not for immediate crisis response. In the event on an emergency, call 9-1-1.
  • Encourage sharing concerns: Let students know they can alert you or campus staff if they notice unusual behavior.
  • Refer them to the Concerning Behavior Referral (CBR).

If someone who shouldn’t be there enters, and then leaves:

  • Remain calm and do not engage, confront or follow the individual.
  • Observe and note their physical description, behavior, anything said, direction of travel, time of incident and any other pertinent details.
  • Report the incident promptly to University Police and submit a Concerning Behavior Referral (CBR).
  • Reassure the students in your class by briefly acknowledging the intrusion and continuing instruction.

If someone who shouldn’t be there enters, and does not leave:

  • Stay calm and professional:
    • Use a firm, clear and respectful tone to ask them to leave the space.
    • Avoid arguments or physical intervention. Do not attempt to remove the individual on your own.
  • If they refuse to leave after they’ve been asked, seek immediate assistance:
    • Call 9-1-1. If University Police answers, proceed with reporting the concern. If Raleigh PD answers, immediately inform them you are on NC State University’s campus so they can transfer you to UPD.
    • If possible, quietly ask a student to alert staff or security.
  • Protect students:
    • If the behavior escalates toward aggression, calmly direct students to exit the classroom.
    • If exiting isn’t safe, move students away from the individual.
    • Wait for trained personnel to arrive.
  • After the incident:
    • Document the disruption in detail and submit a Concerning Behavior Referral (CBR).
    • Follow up with impacted students to acknowledge what happened and direct them to campus resources.

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