4170 - Maintaining Instructional Order

A. Scope. This policy applies to all instructors and students at the University of Idaho.

B. Purpose. The University seeks to promote a productive and respectful learning environment. Disruptive behavior by students in the academic setting hinders the educational process. Instructors have the responsibility and authority to effectively manage their instructional environments and may determine the time and manner for student participation in the instructional setting. This policy is not intended to discourage appropriate expression, discussion, or disagreement, but to promote a productive and respectful learning environment.

C. Definitions

C-1. College dean, unit administrator, and Dean of Students. A reference to any of these positions means the position or designee.

C-2. Disruptive behavior. Disruptive behavior is behavior that interferes with the teaching or learning process in the classroom or educational setting and continues after an instructor’s request to cease. Examples of disruptive behavior may include but are not limited to comments or behaviors that a reasonable person would find to be inappropriate; persistently interrupting other speakers or speaking without being recognized; and harassing behavior or personal insults. Disagreement with the instructor or other students on controversial subjects is not in itself disruptive, and, per RGP III.B.2.a., “students have the right to express personal opinions about concepts and theories presented in their courses and to disagree with opinions expressed by faculty and fellow students.”

C-3. Educational setting. Educational setting is any environment in which an educational activity takes place. Examples include classrooms, field trips, labs, activities conducted via electronic meeting technology, and conferences.

D. Policy. A student may be dismissed, temporarily or permanently, from participating in an educational activity when the student exhibits disruptive behavior. Acts or threats of violence by students must be reported immediately to campus security and the Dean of Students Office.

E. Procedure

E-1. Advisor. A student may have an advisor of their choice present with them for all meetings conducted under this policy. The advisor may provide support and advice to the student but may not speak on behalf of the student.

E-2. Temporary Dismissal

a. The instructor must attempt to meet with the student, in person or by remote meeting technology, as soon as possible after the first incident of disruptive behavior to identify the behavior, review the course rules and this policy, and instruct the student on the behavior that is required in the future. If desired by either the instructor or student, the unit administrator or dean of the college may participate in this meeting.

b. Either immediately or subsequent to the communication described in E-2.a, as appropriate, the instructor may dismiss a student from an educational activity for up to two class periods or equivalent. If a student is instructed to leave an educational activity while instruction is ongoing, the student must immediately comply. No later than one business day after the dismissal, the instructor must report the dismissal to the unit administrator, the college dean, and the Dean of Students, and must notify the student that they may choose to meet with the Dean of Students to discuss the dismissal and their options.

c. The instructor shall provide alternative arrangements for any missed work during the period of temporary dismissal.

F. Permanent Dismissal. An instructor may request the dismissal of a student from an educational activity for the remainder of the semester through the following procedure:

F-1. The instructor must prepare a written request for permanent dismissal. The request must include:

a. The name of the student being dismissed;

b. The factual details of the incident(s) prompting the request for dismissal, including, to the extent possible, dates, times and places; and

c. The names of any witnesses.

F-2. The instructor shall submit the request to the unit administrator, who shall meet with both the student and instructor, either separately or together, as appropriate, to discuss the matter and possible solutions. If appropriate, the unit administrator may forward recommendation for permanent dismissal to the college dean. Prior to issuing a final decision the college dean shall consult with the Dean of Students. The college dean shall communicate their decision to the instructor and the student within three business days of receiving the recommendation.

F-3. The student may request review by the provost. The provost shall uphold or overturn the dismissal within two business days.

F-4. During the pendency of the decision making process outlined in F-2 and F-3, the student shall not attend the educational activity; however, the instructor shall, to the extent reasonable under the circumstances, provide alternative arrangements to ensure continuity in the student’s education.

F-5. If the student is permanently dismissed from the educational activity, the college dean shall identify an appropriate alternative education solution for the student, which may include completing the class online, an independent study, changing into another course section, or other arrangement.

F-6. If the permanent dismissal is denied, the college dean or associate dean will work with the instructor and student to reintegrate the student into the educational activity.

G. Behavior triggering use of this policy may also be subject to discipline under FSH 2400.

H. All timeframes designated in this policy are subject to reasonable adjustment by the Dean of Students, with due consideration to any negative impact that a delay may cause to the student’s educational experience.

Version History

July 2022. Adopted.