Welcome to the Office of Student Advocacy and Accountability!
Faculty and staff members can be confronted by situations with students that should be directed to our office. These situations include: Academic Dishonesty, Disruptive Behavior, and other violations of the university’s Standards of Conduct. Please use the resources in this area and determine the best course of action.
What is my responsibility as an employee of Marshall University?
Most students come to college with fears and uncertainty. Whether they are right out of high school or returning to college after a decade or more in the workplace, students fear failing tests, not fitting in with peers, and appearing ignorant in front of their classmates. Being afraid to ask questions, express opinions, or join group discussions can greatly hinder a student’s learning.
But you can create an environment that nurtures their confidence and allows them to explore and expand their knowledge without undue risk or fear. You can ensure that the campus environment supports your safety by being aware of your campus emergency resources. You can also have a very strong impact on the tone of the campus environment by employing simple behavioral management techniques from the first day and being consistent. Finally, you can help develop your students’ sense of integrity, social responsibility, and professionalism through Marshall’s Student Rights and Responsiblities.
All students and employees of the University are expected to know and understand the Student Rights and Responsibilities and confront situations that violate these terms. If you witness violations of the university’s Standards of Conduct, then you should file a report with our office. Anonymous reporting of incidents is allowed but discouraged, because it limits the ability of the office to gather further information and adequately address the issue. Every effort will be made to protect confidentiality of witnesses, where possible, particularly where a safety concern exists.
Submit a ReportBehavioral Intervention Team (BIT)
The BIT addresses and helps at-risk students obtain the needed supports and assistance to be successful at Marshall University. If you observe any type of concerning behavior with a student, please consider reaching out to the BIT.
Learn More about BITTips for Managing Student Behavior
- Don’t tolerate behaviors, but don’t take them personally, either.
- Stick to your written policies (faculty, make sure these are outlined clearly in the syllabus).
- Keep in mind that some behaviors are annoying, but usually harmless. Realize that in many cases, it’s a maturity issue or a lack of academic preparation or socialization.
- Remind students that you work with many students, not just one. “I have the same rules for everyone.”
- Pull students aside to talk with them privately, instead of in front of others.
- Counsel the student on the benefits of discontinuing the behavior. For example: “I understand that you have a lot to say, but your constant talking is disrupting the class for the other students. I don’t want to have to separate you, but I will if necessary.”
- Talk with colleagues for ideas.
- Stay in communication with your supervisor if you are concerned.
- Document any meetings you have with students and make reports to our office or any consistent behavior problems.
3 Steps For Responding to Campus Disruption
- For minor disruption: ask the student to stop the behavior.
- For repeated disruption that interferes with the ability to maintain learning or business environment: tell students to leave the classroom/area for the day.
- For any threatening language or behavior, direct or indirect, or if student does not respond to direction to leave classroom/area, call Marshall University Police at 304-696-4357, and submit an incident report as soon as it is safe to.
Marshall University encourages each student to make a personal commitment to academic integrity. In addition, faculty members also have responsibility to define and set guidelines for academic integrity in their courses as well as act on any violation of the Standards of Conduct.
In cases of alleged academic dishonesty, the Office of Student Advocacy and Accountability is a resource for both students and faculty members.
Common Behavioral Issues
Many of these issues can be handled with traditional classroom management techniques, but here are a few suggestions for dealing with each issue. As always, if there is a concern of safety involved, please report the concern to our office. Any of the problems below could escalate into a serious behavioral issue, so if you feel that feel that the tips below are not working and the situation is worsening, please contact your supervisor or our office.
- Cell Phones
- Make clear your policy from day 1.
- Ask the student to stay and talk after class.
- If appropriate, use humor.
- Tardiness, Leaving Early or Frequently
- Make clear your policy from day 1.
- Ask the student to stay and talk after class.
- Focus on the effect on the class and the content they miss.
- Give the student a chance to explain what’s going on. If necessary, consider making a report to the BIT.
- Inappropriate Chatter
- Casually move towards the students who are talking.
- Ask for their input on the subject (not sarcastically).
- Call on others near them.
- Make a general statement about needing everyone’s attention.
- Ask the student to stay and talk after class.
- Domination of Class Discussions
- Ask others to add to the student’s response. “Thank you for bringing that up John, would anyone like to add to his response?”
- Call on individuals.
- Ask for answers from different sections of the room.
- Ask the student to stay and talk after class.
- Sleeping
- Stand near the student.
- Ask the student to stay and talk after class.
- Focus on the effect on the class and the content they miss.
- Give the student a chance to explain what’s going on. If necessary, consider making a report to the BIT.
- Disagreement or Negativity
- Remain calm and professional.
- Acknowledge the student’s feelings, and ask them to fully explain/support their argument.
- Point out requirements or policies.
- Mention how you will follow up on the conversation.
- Ask the student to stay and talk after class.
- Disrespect
- Stay calm and remember that there may be other issues going on.
- Talk very quietly with the student and tell them you can speak with them after class.
- Give the student a way to back down without losing face.
- Ask the student to stay and talk after class.
- Give the student a chance to explain what’s going on. If necessary, consider making a report to the BIT.
- Inappropriate Flirting
- Talk to the student outside of class about the inappropriate behavior.
- Share with the student that their actions can be considered harassment.
- Submit a report if necessary.
- Alcohol/Marijuana Smell
- Take note of the situation and document each time it happens.
- Ask the student to stay and talk after class. Share campus resources with them.
- Give the student a chance to explain what’s going on. If necessary, consider making a report to the BIT.
- Excessive Absences
- Make clear your policy from day 1.
- Give the student a chance to explain what’s going on. If necessary, consider making a report to the BIT.
Alert and confer with your Department Chair and/or colleagues as to when the student will be meeting with you and ask one of them to either be on standby or to join in the meeting.
When to Be Concerned
- Dramatic changes in personal hygiene, work performance or social behavior
- Isolation or withdrawal, alienating members of their support systems
- Excessive fatigue/sleep disturbance
- Intoxication, hangovers or smelling of alcohol
- Disoriented or seeming “out of it”
- Garbled, tangential, disconnected or slurred speech
Signs and Symptoms of Distress
- Self-disclosure of personal distress, such as family problems or financial difficulties, or talk of grief or suicide
- Unusual/disproportional emotional response to events
- Student expressing fear, concern or worry about a coworker
- Irritability or unusual apathy
Safety Risk Indicators
- Unprovoked anger, hostility or aggressive behavior
- Physical violence (shoving, grabbing, assault)
- Implying or making a direct threat to harm self or others
- Stalking or harassing behavior
- Making threats via email, text or phone
- Extreme anxiety or panic
- Talk of guns or other dangerous, violent topics
What You Can Do
If you find yourself worried or alarmed about a student who is troubled or distressed, you have resources:
- Contact the Office of Student Advocacy and Accountability
- Submit a BIT Report
- Speak with your supervisor or manager