Managing Concerning Student Behavior

Faculty and Staff are encouraged to report behaviors that may be prohibited under the Student Conduct Code to the Office of Student Conduct & Conflict Resolution (OSCCR). Everyone makes mistakes, and we believe it’s important for students to learn and grow from their mistakes. By responding to harmful behaviors we can ensure that UMD is a safe environment for students to learn and grow in.

Disruptions to the Academic Environment

Students have the right to a productive and stimulating learning environment. In turn, instructors have a responsibility to nurture and maintain such an environment. Student behavior that is an obstacle to teaching and learning should be addressed.

Responding to disruptions 

  • Check with your department to see if they have specific expectations for students enrolled in their programs or certain practices for responding to disruptions
  • Meet with the student to discuss their behavior. Explain to them why their behavior is disruptive
  • Give the student an opportunity to discuss concerns that may be contributing to their behavior
  • Clearly state that behavior that disrupts the class cannot continue. If, in the meeting, they appear unwilling to modify their behavior, let them know that Disruption of the Academic Environment is part of the Student Conduct Code and continued disruptions may be referred to OSCCR.  

Managing Concerning Student Behavior Resources

Students present a variety of concerning behavior in classrooms and service areas at UMD. Faculty and staff are positioned to respond in the moment, but to be effective, they must be prepared. Being prepared requires leadership, a sense of compassion, and an understanding of your students. The Managing Concerning Student Behavior presentation explored de-escalation strategies faculty and staff can use in a live-wire environment, options for collaborating with the University in response to problematic behavior, campus climate scenarios, student mental health resources, and disability resource referrals. The session presenters were four members of UMD's Student Care Team members in Spring 2022.

If you have follow up questions after viewing the recording, and/or the slides, please contact the Student Care Team ([email protected]).