For all the issues with my new boss, this semester's students seem to be fairly good. Few are ever absent, the only girl who had racked up three (for a twice a week course) dropped of her own volition, they've picked up the "get your ass here on time" thing, etc. Hell, almost all stay attentive during class discussions (which [useless boss] has made about 90% of every class. Ugh) and the good ones keep it going and answer me so there aren't long silences where everybody is just staring at me.
The only issue I'd had was three students sitting in the back of my first class who didn't pay attention, had their own little jokes they'd say and laugh at rather than discussing the material, etc. They do this just about every period. I'd given them this long because, well, they're adults. They should have calmed down and figured out that they needed to pay attention, if for nothing else then for their own sakes. When one in particular started asking ridiculous things I figured it was time to confront them after class.
The ridiculous things were indeed ridiculous. First, Timothy (40 something black man) actually participated in discussion (!) to argue that not everything had to have a "right" answer. The problem? We were discussing whether there was a correct answer in Math, whether 6+4= 10 or whether there was room for other answers (talking about the application of Contact Zones and whether they could work in every subject or not). Once he finally let me get a word in and I told him what we were actually talking about at that moment, he just said "Oh, well, yeah," got a little pissy, sat back in his chair, and shut up. Later, I had the class look up how long their papers needed to be (4-5 pages). One of his comrades in the back, lets call her Whining Willy, made a comment about how she didn't know if she'd ever be able to write 8 pages for the third and fourth papers. Hearing this and obviously nothing else, he shouted out, "These have to be EIGHT PAGES!? How do you expect us to do THAT!?" Ummm....no....
So, Timothy came to my office before class Thursday (not office hours, by the way) to tell me he still didn't have his books for class but should have them next week so if I could be "easy" on his grading he'd appreciate it. After brushing that aside I thought hey, best time in the world to bring some of this up, right? I start and as soon as he realizes what I'm talking about he gets defensive bordering on irate. The following is an approximate, abbreviated version of the conversation.
M: I've been noticing some slightly troubling issues going on in class that I'd like to discuss with you; in particular, the side conversations that you...
T: We're both adults, so let's just leave it at that. You don't have to treat me like I'm elementary. I'm an adult; hell, I'm [age]!
M: ...Well, obviously I can't leave it at both of us being adults because I've tried waiting to see if you would correct your behavior on your own and you haven't, so I thought we should discuss...
T: I'm [age] and I'm paying for this course! I'm paying good money! I can do whatever I want in class as long as it doesn't bother anybody and everybody else is doing it anyway!
M: But I don't see others doing the same thing while we're having class discussion or while I'm explaining a concept. The questions being asked from that general area of the room tell me that it is disrupting people and if I can hear what you're saying and it takes me away...
T: Well, if this isn't going to work I can just go to THE DIRECTOR and change courses. That's not a problem at all. If all you're going to do is disrespect me...
M: Timothy, please let me finish. You're perfectly welcome to go do that if you'd like but I'm not trying to disrespect you. I wish you'd give me some respect, though, even though I might not be your age...
T: *SCOFF* I think we're done here. Are we done here?
M: ...Sure, Timothy. I'll see yo...
And Timothy is out the door, with what one of my colleagues called a "gonna start some shit" grin split wide across his face. Keep in mind the entire time my demeanor is calm, voice quiet and fairly collected, and he's yelling, ranting, pacing, etc.
After I take a minute to figure out what the fuck just happened, I head over to [little big boss]'s office to explain the situation since I know Timothy will probably be dropping by soon. Little did I know Timothy was writing me up in the department office as we spoke, airing his grievances with me. [Little big boss] suggested I just get through the class with Timothy that started in 15 minutes, then send Timothy an exceedingly polite, conciliatory email outlining what the issues I'd seen were and CCing [little big boss] and [useless boss], but mostly [useless boss], so that we would have what was going on in writing. [Little big boss], as I was walking out the door, said "Maybe this will straighten him out and we won't have a problem anymore."
If only.
I get into the room ten minutes early to find Timothy ranting to about ten or fifteen students. Not at the front of the class, but from his seat, leaned back like he was watching a flick at a theater. "I didn't do nothin. Not a damn thing. She's not gonna treat me like that. I pay for this course. (leaning forward and brushing his hand against a kid's arm) How much do you pay?"
I have to admit -- I froze, I panicked. What the fuck was I supposed to do now? Looking back, I wish I'd done a million things. Marched up to him and told him to get the fuck out, told him calmly that he didn't have to be here if he didn't want to be, told him that he was making the other students uncomfortable, told him that he was an incompetent, ignorant ass. Anything. Instead, I ignored it while I was writing their homework on the board and then left, hid in the bathroom wishing, willing to give up just about anything if I didn't have to go in that room in front of him.
But I did it anyway. I had the most awkward, worst class that I think I've ever had and I've had some fucking awful ones. And after I was done with my second class, I went and sat in my office and stared at the screen, knowing I had to lower myself further and send this ridiculous, upbeat email to the dick.
And I couldn't. I had to have my friend write it for me. Hitting that Send button made me sick to my stomach because I knew, knew, that it was only going to make my problems, my life, worse. My friend called him "your Abraham" and thoughts of what she'd gone through last semester with that bastard just kept swirling. Berating her at least once a week during her office hours, telling her she was a horrible teacher. Constant, snide questions meant to throw her off track and make her look stupid in front of the class. Questioning of every point, every single grade.
Yesterday, his answer was sitting in my inbox. Staring at me. Telling me he was "no longer happy or comfortable," that all of my "allegations" were wrong and that no one else saw what I was seeing, telling me he wasn't going to participate in classroom discussion because he had been "humiliated, belittled, and disrespected." Then he said he'd still respect my authority.
I nearly laughed at that last one.
So I sent an email to [useless boss] CCing [little big boss] that outlined the entire situation, including what had happened in the classroom, and telling them that I had no idea how to proceed.
Neither of them have sent me an email back. Even one just to say something like "I'm on it."
Guess they don't have any more false words of encouragement for me.
Wow. Just, wow.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry that I don't have anything constructive to say, other than it might be a good idea to go check out the local pistol range, and start packing.
The label "psychopath" is completely appropriate for this post.
ReplyDeleteI've had my own Timothys in many classes over the years and you are in for a hard, hard time if he is not removed from the classroom. (One class had a whole pack of them and it became a disheartening nightmare once the good students started disappearing. Coincidence? Maybe.)
Some sage advice I am betting you already know: Document, document, document.
Keep a Timothy diary, where you write up dated notes on every single thing (good and bad, especially the bad!) he does as long as he's in your class. Note every time he interrupts you. Note the glowering stares. Note the side conversations and disruptive laughter. Stop class and write down a brief note if your hear a snippet of the side conversation.
It's yet another layer of work on our part, but it's necessary to protect ourselves when OUR jobs are suddenly put in jeopardy by disaffected administrators and their delusions about hostile students just needing a hug.
Why don't you drop Timothy from the class, for disruptive behavior? If your department chair won't support you with this, tell your chair that you need him or her attend the class and see first-hand what Timothy is doing.
ReplyDeleteThis is why I almost never directly confront students about behavior like this. Or anything else. If they are talking, aren't doing the work for the course, etc. while in class, they are marked absent in my book and I don't even mention it to them. Then, maybe the week after, I say, generically, "A couple of you have received absences for talking/texting/etc. in class last week. Pay attention in class, or risk being marked absent."
ReplyDeleteIf Timmy came to my office saying he didn't have his books and asking if I'd "go easy" on his grade, I'd just smile and say "I'm sorry, but I can't do that. It wouldn't be fair to the other students." If he started spitting fire, I'd send him immediately to my chair, as in "I understand your concern...let me make an appointment with my chair so you can discuss it with her."
Don't borrow trouble. Seriously. And if I'd ever run into a situation with Timothy where I found him ranting to the class--well, that's a hostile work environment. I don't have to put up with that. I would have gone immediately to my chair or dean and demanded that they pull him out of class and discuss the situation with him. Or else I would have cancelled it.
It's very obvious that Timmy has been able to continue his reign of terror because he's been allowed to do so. This kid should have been kicked out of school, long ago.
May,
ReplyDeleteI think anyone who has been in a classroom for more than minute has a sense of your anguish and pain.
As Stella suggested, Timothy has made it a hostile work environment for you and the other students.
I second the the suggestion, whenever a student starts going off the rails, to immediately bump it up with a "Let's discuss this with the department chair."
In the instance of walking in on his rabblerousing in the class, I would have asked to speak with him outside of class immediately. IF -- big IF -- he agreed, as calmly as possible asserting that his behavior was inappropriate and needed to end immediately if he was to stay.
If he refused to leave (or the hall conversation got out of hand), I'd call campus police and have him removed.
I don't know about your uni, but mine was clear that having a student removed is any instructor's right.
Fortunately, I have not gotten to that point at my current program. I did have the rather unusual experience of having an online student filing a civil rights complaint against me because I was discriminating against her race and gender. (How I was supposed to discern this information in an online class was left unsaid.)
What an amazing tale, and told beautifully. May, it's a shit hand you've been dealt. I can't believe you don't have more support there. Don't feel like you're alone, though, because there are lots of us out here who are with you.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteMay, I've had more than a few students like Timmy. The best method that I have found to deal with them is the same one that I use with the argumentative/combative/"escalating" psychiatric patient:
ReplyDeleteFirm (but not rude) repetition of the non-negotiable demand until they a) de-escalate b) get tired of the argument that they see they cannot win, and comply c) shut up or d) all of the above.
With compliments, I would like to offer a revision of your conversation:
May: I've been noticing some issues going on in class that I'd like to discuss with you; in particular, the side conversations that you...
T: We're both adults, so let's just leave it at that. You don't have to treat me like I'm elementary. I'm an adult; hell, I'm [age]!
May: I want you to stop disrupting the class with your side conversations.
T: I'm [age] and I'm paying for this course! I'm paying good money! I can do whatever I want in class as long as it doesn't bother anybody and everybody else is doing it anyway!
M: I would like you to stop side conversations while you are in class, and participate in the classroom discussions.
T: Well, if this isn't going to work I can just go to THE DIRECTOR and change courses. That's not a problem at all. If all you're going to do is disrespect me...
M: Timothy, please let me finish. If you are not happy with refraining from side conversations and participating in classroom discussion, please feel free to change courses.
T: *SCOFF* I think we're done here. Are we done here?
M: Yes, we are done. If you choose to continue in this course, please do not disrupt the learning of others in the class with your side conversations.
Repeat as necessary.
As far as a chipper email to make Timmy feel all better (and to placate your lacking-a-vertebral-column bosses) make it one paragraph:
“Dear Timmy,
As we discussed, I want you to stop disrupting the class with your side conversations. If you choose to continue in this course, please refrain from any behaviors (such as _____, ____, _____) that disrupt the learning of others in the class.
Non-conciliatorily,
May”
May--
ReplyDeleteYou've already gotten some good advice for dealing with a very difficult situation. The only other thing I would add (especially if the bosses within your department/program remain unhelpful) is that you might want to contact counseling services and/or the Dean of Students (or equivalent). In the wake of the Virginia Tech shootings, we were told that we should report disruptive and/or disturbing behavior to these offices, so that they, even if they couldn't say anything to us, could keep track of whether a particular student was exhibiting a disturbing pattern. The other plus to this approach is that it provides you with another layer of documentation, and perhaps some support (though if the conversation seems to be going too far in the direction of them trying to counsel you/label you the problem -- rather than thanking you for information/giving you professional-to-professional advice -- I'd suggest stepping back. Unfortunately, in the current "the student is always right" culture, you need to be careful to whom you trust).
Ugh. I'm so sorry, but you have good advice above. Someone like him can poison a class, though just as often the other students bond more tightly with each other and with you. But that's high stakes roulette.
ReplyDeleteYes, document. Yes, pursue with higher ups, again documenting. In addition, consider contacting the campus counseling center and indicate you have a student with some anger issues and that you are concerned for him, other students, the progress of the class, and yourself. If all else fails, and it shouldn't, consider the campus police.
I see Cassandra and I had the same thought at the same minute.
ReplyDeleteAnother thing to find out is what he was writing about you in the departmental office. Making false and wild accusations about an instructor to the university is grounds for expulsion at many colleges.
ReplyDeleteMeanest: I started writing everything down on Thursday and I'm absolutely going to keep up on it.
ReplyDeleteFroderick and Aware: While my uni (and [little big boss]) says we can have a student pulled for any reason, in reality there has to be a large amount of documentation and even then they are loathe to actually pull anyone. I don't know how many times my friend asked that Abraham be removed from her course without any recourse being taken. She also had a student who stalked one of her other students that managed to stay in the course for two months before finally being removed. As for having one of my higher ups watch the class, I'm certain that he'd realize what was going on and be on perfect behavior.
Stella: We are told specifically that we are to confront the student first, before we take any other action. Also, we must inform them if we are counting them absent as the department has a policy that too many absences means you fail the course.
Eating: Thank you. :)
Valita: From now on, I'll definitely try that.
Contingent and Perfesser: I am very worried about him becoming a black hole and poisoning that class if I can't get him out. As for going to the counseling center, I'm not sure that's necessary just yet. Right now he's being manipulative, but not violent. Hostile towards me in his tone, not in his actions. If it escalates, I will consider making a call.
College Boy: It will be sent to [little big boss] and he will probably show [useless boss]. Whether I see it will be up to them.
*UPDATE*
ReplyDelete[Useless boss] just emailed me to say she'll talk to [little big boss] on Monday and that we should all three talk before taking any action and to "have a plan in place" before I see Timothy again.
In other words, they're probably not going to pull him until he does something more over-the-top.
*sigh*
May,
ReplyDeleteIf you really need him gone (and I suspect you do at this point), then totally go with the "This is a hostile work environment" argument as suggested above by Stella and Aware & Scared. Say, "He yelled at me and (colleague) across the hall heard him yelling (if that's true...sounds like it must be). He was ranting in the classroom when I walked in, which made me so upset me I had to leave to compose myself enough to teach. I feel unsafe." etc.
We've all been trained to try and teach the best we can to everyone, but I know from experience that this training works against us all the time.
I'm so sorry you have to deal with this. It's not going to be easy for the rest of the semester. And perhaps a few after.
It's so sad that any instructor who steps into a college classroom nowadays really does need the training valita mentions above (and most of us will never get it unless we are willing and able to pay for it ourselves). We have to be able to default to a script and treat them like psychiatric patients just to get (too) many of them just to behave enough to be capable of learning (or at least not disrupt the learning of others).
May, that sucks monkey balls.
ReplyDeleteI had a confrontational student once. I told her she had to leave the class and could not come back until she spoke with my dean. Then I told my dean I wasn't going to conduct class with her in it again.
She never came back. She did have a history of weird behavior with other profs, as I see is the case with Timmy as well.
May,
ReplyDeleteIn one of your responses you said the following: "Right now he's being manipulative, but not violent. Hostile towards me in his tone, not in his actions. If it escalates, I will consider making a call."
I wonder if you shouldn't think again about talking to counseling services. Think what you would say if a female student or colleague said that to you about her boyfriend. Wouldn't you tell her that it is an abusive situation regardless of the lack of physical violence? I know I would. He is outright abusive towards you and counseling services should be notified. Don't stay in an abusive environment just because, "he is only manipulative, not violent." It's not safe for you and you don't know if/when he might escalate.
I hope that you can find a way to feel safe in a place you should feel safe.
-Mathsquatch
I second what Mathsquatch says. Get counseling involved now because:
ReplyDelete* it's more documentation
* counseling services will already be aware of the situation if things get worse
* other professors may have contacted them about Timothy already and this could be the last straw that forces them to act
* your bosses may be forced to help you if counseling services supports your request to remove Timothy
* you might benefit personally from discussing this problem with them. Counselors can help faculty too.
You need allies in this fight. Counseling services may be more inclined to help.
I once had a Timothy in a math for el ed course. When he took course 1 with me it was clear he had a brain. Unfortunately he refused to use it. His HW was crappy and his attendence appalling. To be fair he nearly lost his arm that term. But he never went to the student disability office to get accommodations to which he probably was entitled. So there was little I could do to help him (I did let a friend write up his exam, though). Because the HW was heavily weighted he barely earned a D.
ReplyDeleteThe D in Course 1 was supposed to keep him out of Course 2 the next semester. As a grad student, the department's only adjunct, and the only one in the math department who didn't hate the el ed clientel (non-traditional adult students >> lower achieving 18 y.o.s at the mega state school where I was pursuing my Ph.D.), I was given Course 2 to teach. A few days before the start of classes I checked the roll and sure enough this guy was on it. I emailed my chair and mentioned it. Apparently the student had been in to "bend his ear" about how bad I was and how the grade was not indicative of his work (i.e. mauled arm, etc).
So I bravely went into class and did my best with this jackass at the back (40% of the time). Well this time he didn't turn in any HW. At midterm he had an F and it was likely to stay that way. Apparently he's not the type to check midterm grades because I heard nothing until a week or two before finals when he accused me of losing ALL his HW. Yes, that's right. Since 7 students is such and overwhelming load I lost EVERY one of his HWs. ROFL!
The day before grades were due I went into the education office to collect their papers (I had them turn the papers in where most of their classes are held, aren't I nice?). I sat down and started to grade them when the head of the program came out. Apparently this guy was bitching to them about me (since, I'm assuming, he wasn't going to pass). After 30 seconds of internal panic she confided in me that he had been a problem in several of her classes and other faculty had been targetted by this guy, too.
So, May, I guess my point is that you may find out later that his assholery is not unique to your course and that he has been a problem with other faculty. Should the opportunity present itself you might make a discrete inquiry amongst your colleagues.
Your other students might also not like Timothy and might be willing to make a complaint about his behavior. On one of my Timothy's many absent days several of the women in my course confided in me that he made them uncomfortable and they are always relieved when he doesn't show up. In retrospect I think I should have followed up on those comments with my chair who was a proactive, stand-up kind of guy but I had just defended and had a good TT lined up so I could live the term out.
May,
ReplyDeleteAs a professional student (a B.S. and going backwards for an A.A.), CMP is on to something. Do you have any "regulars" in your class? Or you you have a few students that adore you? They are your allies. As an "older" student: I'm respectful of my professors and "have their back".
I've told idiots that won't stop talking in the middle of lecture to, "Shut the fuck up, I'm trying to learn." I chased a Timothy off last semester, he had no business being in the class, so I made him miserable until he dropped. Dr. X offered to buy me a beer at the end of it :) I declined: being a bitch to people that suck is just one of the value added services I provide for my instructors.
May: in addition to documenting everything, letting counseling services know, let campus police know about Timothy's threatening manner.
May, YOU are not the problem. Keep reminding yourself of that, please...especially during meetings to discuss what *you* are going to do because *Timothy* has a problem (insert inelegant psych nurse snort here).
ReplyDeleteFrom the information you provide, I would say you have a borderline personality disorder (with histrionic overlay) student:
http://www.webmd.com/mental-health/tc/borderline-personality-disorder-symptoms
Diagnostic criteria (as stated by my Wise Psych Mentor, the official Smartest Doc On The Planet):
-If you are in a room with him/her for more than 5 minutes, do you want to throw a book at him/her? If yes, then you are dealing with a BPD. Proceed accordingly.
-Does the staff/faculty spend 90% of their time/energy/conversation dealing with this student? If yes, then you are dealing with a BPD. Proceed accordingly.
How to proceed?
-Clear boundaries
-Uniform expectations/mutual support by all faculty and administrators (no "splitting" of faculty...May, that has already started, as evidenced by the reaction of your bosses).
-*Zero* tolerance of violent behavior (and yes, he is being both manipulative and violent...not all violence is physical).
-Rapid referral to counseling as a requirement to stay in the course.
May, YOU are not the problem. Your other learners almost surely will (perhaps secretly) thank you. They have probably seen this student (cough*clown*cough) do this before.
Do it for them and you.
I officially give you a copy of my Unblinking Stare of Doom. Use it freely on Timothy and Useless Administrators. Stops 'em in their tracks.
On addition to what has already been said about documenting everything, I'd suggest to start voice-recording all your classes. Get a cheap mp3 player with recorder (google "sansa clip buy") and tell your students that you are going to put the classes online (in whatever course system you have) so that they may be able to review their notes. Make a big deal of starting recording at the beginning of every class. Assuming he has two brain cells, he'll think twice before saying anything that can put him in more trouble.
ReplyDeleteI feel for all of you who have to go through hoops to remove a disruptive student. I simply say "get out", (I'd really like to say "get the fuck out"), and if you want to get back in, make an appointment with me (and my Chair). I immediately email student and chair describing the situation, and request a meeting. I have only had a couple of students in the last 18 years who choose to meet (and they were not let back in). Some ignored me and either went to my Chair who always directed them back to me (since he got my letter), or the Dean (who would generally bounce it back to my Chair, bounce it back to me...) I have never been told to let a student back into my class after I kick his/her ass out. I have been told to SERIOUSLY consider letting a student back in, or been told that it would be "better for me" if I let the student back in, but I have not backed down yet (especially when I threatened to file a lawsuit since the student was creating a "hostile work environment"). Our college might be fucked in a lot of ways, but at least I pretty much have say what happens in my classroom.
ReplyDeleteDamn, there's a lot of good advice here. I've received the same type of advice, and used it successfully, in dealing with my own problem students. CM should generate a FAQ on 'CMer's advice for various situations...'.
ReplyDeleteIt's also great that multiple lines of action are being suggested by previous posts. If the [useless boss] and [little boss] avenue doesn't work, then the counselling avenue or hostile-work-environment avenue might be useful fall-back strategies because they'd involve numerous other university staff (counselling, student affairs, human resources, employee relations, health&safety, campus security - god, the number of administrative units at a college/uni can be staggering...) who are duty-bound (and hopefully well-trained) to react to such situations, and, also important, don't answer to [useless boss], [little boss], or other admin in your teaching unit who might not be helping you out.
My campus has a big police force. I know some of the officers well. A couple of them are routinely in plain clothes. If I were in your shoes, I'd have an informal chat with one of the officers inviting him to sit in on my class.
ReplyDeleteI second the general turn of the thread here. Some excellent advice, even though (Gott sei dank) I have never had to use it myself.
ReplyDeleteNevertheless, my advice stands. God knows you might have to use it, though nobody would like that. Least of all Timothy, if you take that course at the range.
All of the advice here is good. It seems that Tim has one of those "respect-me-itis" infections so common these days, typically manifested as a demand for UNearned respect. It's obviously his identity--he thinks he's fighting for his rights against a hostile world, which makes him feel mighty and important, like a crusader for justice.
ReplyDeleteClearly, he's using your class (and others) as a FORUM for his own ego to reinforce itself. Being combative gives him a sense of power and control in his (probably miserable) life. Angry people are usually not righteous; they're often just beaten down and want to fight back.
None of this psychoanalysis really means much in the end, however, because you've just got to get his annoying ass out of your class.
The best approach is to play up the "I don't feel safe" aspect to your department chair, whether it's true or not.
However, watch out for reprisals...
We were told by our chair the other day that contrary to common belief, the Public Safety guys (VERY unfit for their jobs, I might add) are NOT there to protect us, but rather to unlock doors, put up parking cones in the lot, and call the cops when needed.
GREAT. I feel sooooooo safe.
1. You follow Timothy to the parking lot after class.
ReplyDelete2. Find out which car is his car.
3. Next day, let the air out of his tires while he's in somebody else's class.
4. Engage in other creative covert ops to ruin his life.
May - I had a really difficult student a few semesters ago, and I can kind of see you reacting to this situation the way I reacted to Pineapple Boy; that is, I really felt threatened and unsafe, for quite a while, but I thought I should be able to handle it. In the end, I had to call campus security to help me deal with him after he grabbed me in the corridor, and at that point I realized I really had been having issues with his hostility all semester.
ReplyDeleteI guess what I am saying is: it's not you. No matter what lengths your bosses are going to make it about you, it isn't. Don't be afraid to get help, even if you feel like maybe that's an over-reaction.
A friend of mine works in the Security office at a major CC, and here's her advice:
ReplyDeleteSome information I would tell this instructor as a Safety & Security Officer if she were at my institution:
A lot of this has already been said, but I do want to repeat it.
- Bring up to the Security Office (or public safety, or equivalent where you are) your concerns regarding this individual. It is never a bad idea to tell someone if you fear for your safety. The fact that you reached the point where you felt you needed to hide (for whatever reason) is a message to yourself. It should be a message to anyone who works with students as well. Get the number for that department and program it into your cell phone. Most security departments record their calls, and calling them while he is berating you and behaving erratically will give them evidence of his actions. Call from your office phone, if they have caller ID function and can locate your office that way.
- Talk to the Dean of Students (or equivalent) at your institution regarding the student's behavior. I would imagine that such activities in class as those described are a violation of the student code of conduct, and as such should be addressed as violations of the same. At my institution, discipline for these infractions are handled via the Dean of Students, while Security mostly handles the documentation of them.
- Investigate your options regarding dismissing a student from a class. At my institution, the instructor has the right to ask a student to leave for the day, and the Security Office will assist in removal of said disruptive students as necessary. I would say from your description of his actions, this is a disruptive student.
- Report the student's actions to the Behavioral Intervention Team (or equivalent) on your campus. Chances are this student has acted in a similar manner in other classes and situations on campus. Even if they choose not to take action in this case, having a report of these actions and behaviors on file will help in case things come up again with him. Usually these behaviors repeat themselves. Most BIT teams are smart enough not to tell the student who filed the report, especially if you ask them not to.
- For prevention in the future, place a clause in your syllabus stating that disruptive behavior will result in dismissal from the class for the day, possibly ejection from the course in general. In my experience, the two documents that help and protect you the most are your syllabus and the student code of conduct. Your syllabus defines acceptable behavior and actions in class and is enforceable. The ultimate authority is the student code of conduct/ethics. Use them to your advantage. Yes, this student is paying and has a right to his education. So too are his classmates, and his rights to behave in a manner of his choosing end at the beginning of his classmates' rights to get the education they are paying for.
- Tape record your classes. You can pawn this off as being a project to turn your lectures into podcasts. Also, once students get used to it being there, they will return to their standard behavior and you will have evidence. This usually works better than having someone sit in on your class for a session or two, since bullies like this will usually stop the behavior when they know they might get caught.
I showed this link to my friend who works in campus security, Her response:
ReplyDeleteSome information I would tell this instructor as a Safety & Security Officer if she were at my institution:
A lot of this has already been said, but I do want to repeat it.
- Bring up to the Security Office (or public safety, or equivalent where you are) your concerns regarding this individual. It is never a bad idea to tell someone if you fear for your safety. The fact that you reached the point where you felt you needed to hide (for whatever reason) is a message to yourself. It should be a message to anyone who works with students as well. Get the number for that department and program it into your cell phone. Most security departments record their calls, and calling them while he is berating you and behaving erratically will give them evidence of his actions. Call from your office phone, if they have caller ID function and can locate your office that way.
- Talk to the Dean of Students (or equivalent) at your institution regarding the student's behavior. I would imagine that such activities in class as those described are a violation of the student code of conduct, and as such should be addressed as violations of the same. At my institution, discipline for these infractions are handled via the Dean of Students, while Security mostly handles the documentation of them.
- Investigate your options regarding dismissing a student from a class. At my institution, the instructor has the right to ask a student to leave for the day, and the Security Office will assist in removal of said disruptive students as necessary. I would say from your description of his actions, this is a disruptive student.
- Report the student's actions to the Behavioral Intervention Team (or equivalent) on your campus. Chances are this student has acted in a similar manner in other classes and situations on campus. Even if they choose not to take action in this case, having a report of these actions and behaviors on file will help in case things come up again with him. Usually these behaviors repeat themselves. Most BIT teams are smart enough not to tell the student who filed the report, especially if you ask them not to.
- For prevention in the future, place a clause in your syllabus stating that disruptive behavior will result in dismissal from the class for the day, possibly ejection from the course in general. In my experience, the two documents that help and protect you the most are your syllabus and the student code of conduct. Your syllabus defines acceptable behavior and actions in class and is enforceable. The ultimate authority is the student code of conduct/ethics. Use them to your advantage. Yes, this student is paying and has a right to his education. So too are his classmates, and his rights to behave in a manner of his choosing end at the beginning of his classmates' rights to get the education they are paying for.
- Tape record your classes. You can pawn this off as being a project to turn your lectures into podcasts. Also, once students get used to it being there, they will return to their standard behavior and you will have evidence. This usually works better than having someone sit in on your class for a session or two, since bullies like this will usually stop the behavior when they know they might get caught.
ok, seems my post is to long, will try it in 2 parts.
ReplyDeleteI showed this link to a friend of mine who works security...her response: Some information I would tell this instructor as a Safety & Security Officer if she were at my institution:
A lot of this has already been said, but I do want to repeat it.
- Bring up to the Security Office (or public safety, or equivalent where you are) your concerns regarding this individual. It is never a bad idea to tell someone if you fear for your safety. The fact that you reached the point where you felt you needed to hide (for whatever reason) is a message to yourself. It should be a message to anyone who works with students as well. Get the number for that department and program it into your cell phone. Most security departments record their calls, and calling them while he is berating you and behaving erratically will give them evidence of his actions. Call from your office phone, if they have caller ID function and can locate your office that way.
- Talk to the Dean of Students (or equivalent) at your institution regarding the student's behavior. I would imagine that such activities in class as those described are a violation of the student code of conduct, and as such should be addressed as violations of the same. At my institution, discipline for these infractions are handled via the Dean of Students, while Security mostly handles the documentation of them.
- Investigate your options regarding dismissing a student from a class. At my institution, the instructor has the right to ask a student to leave for the day, and the Security Office will assist in removal of said disruptive students as necessary. I would say from your description of his actions, this is a disruptive student.
- Report the student's actions to the Behavioral Intervention Team (or equivalent) on your campus. Chances are this student has acted in a similar manner in other classes and situations on campus. Even if they choose not to take action in this case, having a report of these actions and behaviors on file will help in case things come up again with him. Usually these behaviors repeat themselves. Most BIT teams are smart enough not to tell the student who filed the report, especially if you ask them not to.
- For prevention in the future, place a clause in your syllabus stating that disruptive behavior will result in dismissal from the class for the day, possibly ejection from the course in general. In my experience, the two documents that help and protect you the most are your syllabus and the student code of conduct. Your syllabus defines acceptable behavior and actions in class and is enforceable. The ultimate authority is the student code of conduct/ethics. Use them to your advantage. Yes, this student is paying and has a right to his education. So too are his classmates, and his rights to behave in a manner of his choosing end at the beginning of his classmates' rights to get the education they are paying for.
- Tape record your classes. You can pawn this off as being a project to turn your lectures into podcasts. Also, once students get used to it being there, they will return to their standard behavior and you will have evidence. This usually works better than having someone sit in on your class for a session or two, since bullies like this will usually stop the behavior when they know they might get caught.
too long I have to post in sections, sorry
ReplyDeleteI showed this to my friend who works in security, her response:
Some information I would tell this instructor as a Safety & Security Officer if she were at my institution:
A lot of this has already been said, but I do want to repeat it.
- Bring up to the Security Office (or public safety, or equivalent where you are) your concerns regarding this individual. It is never a bad idea to tell someone if you fear for your safety. The fact that you reached the point where you felt you needed to hide (for whatever reason) is a message to yourself. It should be a message to anyone who works with students as well. Get the number for that department and program it into your cell phone. Most security departments record their calls, and calling them while he is berating you and behaving erratically will give them evidence of his actions. Call from your office phone, if they have caller ID function and can locate your office that way.
- Talk to the Dean of Students (or equivalent) at your institution regarding the student's behavior. I would imagine that such activities in class as those described are a violation of the student code of conduct, and as such should be addressed as violations of the same. At my institution, discipline for these infractions are handled via the Dean of Students, while Security mostly handles the documentation of them.
too long I have to post in sections, sorry
ReplyDeleteI showed this to my friend who works in security, her response:
Some information I would tell this instructor as a Safety & Security Officer if she were at my institution:
part 2)
- Investigate your options regarding dismissing a student from a class. At my institution, the instructor has the right to ask a student to leave for the day, and the Security Office will assist in removal of said disruptive students as necessary. I would say from your description of his actions, this is a disruptive student.
- Report the student's actions to the Behavioral Intervention Team (or equivalent) on your campus. Chances are this student has acted in a similar manner in other classes and situations on campus. Even if they choose not to take action in this case, having a report of these actions and behaviors on file will help in case things come up again with him. Usually these behaviors repeat themselves. Most BIT teams are smart enough not to tell the student who filed the report, especially if you ask them not to.
I showed this to my friend who works in security, her response:
ReplyDeleteSome information I would tell this instructor as a Safety & Security Officer if she were at my institution:
part 3 (last one)
- For prevention in the future, place a clause in your syllabus stating that disruptive behavior will result in dismissal from the class for the day, possibly ejection from the course in general. In my experience, the two documents that help and protect you the most are your syllabus and the student code of conduct. Your syllabus defines acceptable behavior and actions in class and is enforceable. The ultimate authority is the student code of conduct/ethics. Use them to your advantage. Yes, this student is paying and has a right to his education. So too are his classmates, and his rights to behave in a manner of his choosing end at the beginning of his classmates' rights to get the education they are paying for.
- Tape record your classes. You can pawn this off as being a project to turn your lectures into podcasts. Also, once students get used to it being there, they will return to their standard behavior and you will have evidence. This usually works better than having someone sit in on your class for a session or two, since bullies like this will usually stop the behavior when they know they might get caught.
May, I'm late in the conversation and won't add any advice -- all seems great, and I hope campus security has your back. But I wish you the very best of luck, and keep us posted, OK? We're pulling for you.
ReplyDeleteThank you all and yeah, Marcia, I see that. I really appreciate it. I'll keep you guys posted and see after the bosses get back to me what steps are in my future with this guy.
ReplyDelete@WhatLadder... why was he called Pineapple Boy?????
ReplyDelete@may--good luck, i've been in classes before with those types of idiots and it was all I could do to not turn around and blast the idiot. I, too, am usually on the side of the prof. Especially now that I know what it's like to be up at the front of the room.
April's triple-post just reminded me of a book:
ReplyDeleteThe Gift of Fear by Gavin de Becker.
Everyone should read it!
was offline for much of the weekend and missed this. All the advice I would give--document, repeat firmly, tape, and tell security--has been given.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately there is a subset of the adult atudent population out there who take the loathesome concept of student as consumer to heart.
Had to second Meanest Prof's suggestion of reading "The Gift of Fear." The most useful book I've ever read. And not just for trouble making students but also for crazy exs.
ReplyDeleteI especially loved the part about eventually responding to repeated unwanted contact. The crazy, I mean student, will learn they only have to badger you X times before they get the attention they are craving.
Always be clear about your expectations ("Do not engage in ____ behavior anymore."), never make an exception to your rule, and once you've said "No" don't respond to repeated pleadings.
De Becker's suggests also work well with rogue, helicopter parents.
It's a must read for all women and a smart read for college profs.