Assisting Students in Need:
Disruptive Behavior

Identifying the Problem:

You note that a student has had a marked change in behavior or habits - he or she has stopped attending class, performs more poorly, rarely interacts, is poorly groomed, or appears exhausted. The student may behave inappropriately by speaking loudly or out of turn or off-topic, or in ways that are strange and off-putting to others. What do you do?

How to Respond:

1. TALK with the student in a private setting.

2. EXPRESS your concerns, noting the behaviors you have observed.

3. LISTEN to thoughts and feelings in a non-judgmental way.

4. ASK if help is needed or wanted, and what might be of help.

5. SET LIMITS by clarifying what is and is not acceptable behavior, and what the consequences will be for noncompliance.

6. GIVE SUPPORT and understanding wherever you genuinely can.

7. REFER to professional care by giving contact information about available services listed below.

8. CONSULT with others as appropriate (faculty, CAPS, Rackham Graduate School, other University offices). Questions about whether or not student behavior violates the Statement of Student Rights and Responsibilities should refer to the Faculty Handbook information on Disruptive Behavior:
   
   8.D.7 Disruptive Behavior
   
   “If a faculty member encounters a student who is behaving in a disruptive or dangerous way in a classroom or other University setting, he or she needs first to determine if there is an immediate threat of violence or other dangerous situation or emergency. If so, 911 should be called promptly, usually by someone else so the faculty member can remain in charge of the class. If there is not an emergency situation, the faculty member should try to calm the immediate situation, dismissing the class if necessary, and then seek assistance from the department chair, the dean’s office, the Office of the Vice President and General Counsel (764-0304), and/or the Department of Public Safety on the Ann Arbor Campus at 763-3434, the Campus Safety Department on the Dearborn Campus at 313/593-5333, or the Department of Public Safety on the Flint Campus at 810/762-3335. The University’s Campus Safety Handbook contains useful information and suggestions about how to handle an emergency situation and is available at . If there is a repeated or regular problem, faculty should seek assistance from the Office of the Vice President and General Counsel. If a student exhibits disruptive behavior over a period of time, faculty may wish to call the Office of the Dean of Students (764-7420) to discuss the appropriateness of a Health Advisory Team review. This is a process that has many possible outcomes from providing greater support for the student to removing the student from the University. Faculty may also call Counseling and Psychological Services (764-8312) for assistance in determining how to best help a student who is experiencing serious psychological difficulties. Disruption of a class or other University activity by a student may be a violation of the Statement of Student Rights and Responsibilities. The faculty member should contact the Office of Student Conflict Resolution for more information at 936-6308.”
   
   http://www.provost.umich.edu/faculty/handbook/8/8.D.html

9. FOLLOW UP with the student in a reasonable period of time.

University Resources:

1. Counseling and Psychological Services: 764-8312

2. Office of the Vice President of Student Affairs: 764-5132

3. Dean of Students Office: 764-7420

4. Department of Public Safety: 763-1131

5. Office of Student Conflict Resolution: 936-6308

SEVERELY DISRUPTIVE BEHAVIOR THAT ENDANGERS THE STUDENT OR OTHERS MUST BE DEALT WITH IMMEDIATELY BY CALLING 911.