Academic Disruption Policy

Disruptive academic behavior is any behavior likely to substantially or repeatedly interfere with the normal conduct of instructional activities, including meetings with instructors outside of class. Examples of such behavior include, but are not limited to, making loud or distracting noises; using cell phones and other electronic devices without prior approval; repeatedly speaking without being recognized; frequently arriving late or leaving early from class; and making threats or personal insults. A verbal expression of a disagreement with the instructor or other students on an academic subject matter discussed within the course, during times when the instructor permits discussion, is not in itself disruptive academic behavior.

How do I handle Academic Disruption?

    If an incident occurs, the faculty member should follow the Disruptive Academic Behavior procedures outlined in Part VI, Section IV: Student Privacy, Conduct, and Complaints of the Faculty Manual. If the behavior is threatening in nature or is likely to result in immediate harm, the faculty member should contact the ECU Police Department for immediate assistance.

    1. Address the disruptive behavior privately and in person (if possible).
      • Provide a verbal warning to the student
      • Explain the impact of the behavior and how it is being disruptive
      • Request the behavior stops
      • Discuss expectations of future behavior
      • Describe possible consequences should the disruptive behavior continue (e.g. relocate student to a different area of the classroom, as student to leave the classroom and mark them absent for the day, reduce participation grade, eventual removal from the course with dean/department chair approval)
      • Document the conversation with the above information in an email sent to the student. You may choose to copy your department chair and/or dean on the email correspondence
    2. If the disruptive behavior continues and/or escalates:
      • Address the behavior directly
      • Implement one of the lessor consequences you outlined in your initial email to the student (except for removal from the course)
      • Document the incident and any consequences you implemented in a written warning and email this to the student
      • Explain in the written warning that the student will be removed from the course if the behavior does not cease
      • Notify your dean and department chair
      • Complete and incident report form with OSRR
    3. If the behavior persists, the instructor should discuss the situation with their department chair and decide if the student should be removed from the course. If it is decided to remove the student from the course:
      • Schedule a meeting with you, the department chair, and the student
      • Inform the student they are being removed from the course
      • Document this decision promptly in writing to the student
      • Notify the Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities (osrr@ecu.edu) by copying them on the written decision emailed to the student
      • The Department Chair must promptly communicate the decision to withdraw the student from the course in writing to the Office of the Registrar
      • Notify the student of their right to appeal the decision to remove the student form the course in writing to the academic dean of the college within three (3) business days of the receipt of the decision by the student
    4. Appeal Decision: The dean will review the appeal documentation; discuss the appeal with the faculty instructor, department chair, and the student; after discussion with the student and instructor, can affirm, reverse or modify the decision made by the instructor and department chair.
      • Notify: The Dean will notify the student, instructor, and department chair of the appeal decision no later than three business days after receiving the appeal
      • The dean will provide written notification of the appeal decision to the Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities, the student, and also, if the original decision is overturned, to the Registrar’s Office
      • If the decision is made that the student is to return to the course, then the student will be allowed to immediately return to the classroom without academic penalty and the chair will work with the student and instructor to facilitate the completion of any missed work
      • The dean’s decision is final