I. Expectations and Obligations
As written in our Statement of Mission and Goals, “Hofstra University prepares students to thrive in the complexity of life and work in our global society by:
- Cultivating an inclusive, diverse, learning-centered scholarly community, where free inquiry can flourish.
- Producing original research, scholarship, knowledge, and creative work.
- Providing excellent teaching in an extensive range of undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs with unique opportunities for interdisciplinary study.
- Empowering students to use their education to realize their dreams and ambitions and make meaningful contributions to their communities.”
Environments favorable to learning require civility and consideration of students and faculty. In all their conduct, members of the University community are expected to follow the Pride Principles stated in the Guide to Pride, the Faculty Policy Series, and other documents establishing standards of behavior (for a full listing see “Rights and Responsibilities of Hofstra University Community Members” http://www.hofstra.edu/faculty/senate/senate_rights_responsibilities.html).
Class sessions (including the online classroom environment and tools), and class related activities such as LMS discussions, field trips, and programs abroad, create specific requirements for responsible and mature behavior. Students are expected to come to class prepared. Prior to coming to class, students should complete all assignments, check their Hofstra email accounts for course-related announcements. They should also, bring course-relevant materials to class. Once in the classroom, students should avoid disruptive and disrespectful conduct as this can disrupt a class session and impede learning. Other activities unrelated to the class also work against learning environments. Both types of behaviors implicitly communicate that the course and other students’ contributions are of little value.
Importantly, intellectual disagreements that arise normally in academic discussion are not in themselves disruptive or disrespectful. Intellectual disagreements can be valuable, and class participants should respect and value them. Yet, expressions of disagreement can become disruptive. Course participants must recognize, then, that when instructors judge that a class must move on to address other important subjects, they are not thereby stifling opinion.
Disrespectful student behavior in the classroom can range from minor disruptions to more serious ones. Minor disruptions might include excessive tardiness or leaving the room during class, engaging in unrelated side conversations, or using laptops or phones for non-class-related activities such as listening to music or playing video games, etc. More serious disruptions might include verbal disrespect (for example, shouting at other students or the instructor), physically menacing or verbally threatening the instructor or other students.
Students are not permitted to record classes without prior written consent from their instructor. Some professors may permit this, as class recordings under permitted circumstances may be a valuable tool. Recording in this context includes audio, video, and still photographs, as well as transcripts of class and the use of lecture capture software. Exceptions are allowed for students who have received documented accommodations through the Office of Student Access Services. As with other accommodations, students will inform their professors of this accommodation. Recording devices and software are for the sole use of the student who received the accommodation. Students may not share recording devices or software, or any electronic files created using those devices or software, with any other person, or post any recording on any platform.
II. Responding to Disruption
The instructor is the final arbiter of permissible behavior in their classroom. Non-compliance with faculty directions regarding behavior may result in the student’s removal from the classroom. This may be temporary removal, or, if the behavior continues, may result in the students being permanently removed from the course. Therefore, faculty members should make every effort to resolve instances of disruptive behavior. If a student is permanently removed from the classroom for conduct issues, this removal may extend to clinical activities, student teaching, and internships that are directly related to the course, unless notified otherwise. Further, there may be instances when a student may be allowed to continue in the class but must cease participation in clinical activities, student teaching, and internships directly related to the course until notified otherwise.
Faculty may reasonably insist during class that students stop behaving in ways that faculty judge to be disrespectful or to interfere with others’ learning.
A student should only be removed from a course—temporarily or permanently—when their continued presence disrupts the learning of others. The purpose of such removal is to restore an effective learning environment. When a student is removed temporarily, the main goal should be to reintegrate them into the course as soon as possible. Permanent removal should occur only when the instructor determines that the student’s return would continue to hinder the learning of others. Where it is possible, a student who has been permanently removed may be allowed to complete the course.
Temporary Removal
- Temporary removal refers to a professor electing to remove students from the classroom for a class period.
- In all instances of temporary removal of students from the classroom, the faculty member should report this information to their Department Chair within 24 hours. If necessary, the faculty may contact Public Safety and/or the Dean of Students.
Longer term or permanent Removal
- Should a faculty member consider a longer term or permanent removal of a student from the classroom, they must immediately consult with their Department Chair prior to removal and submit a CARES report.
- If the decision is made to permanently remove the student from the classroom, the faculty member must inform their Chair, and cc their Dean of School, the Dean of Students, the Dean of the Center for University Advising, and the Provost.
- The Provost will provide official notification to the student that they must cease attending class until the matter is resolved and will inform students of their right to appeal.
- If a student chooses to appeal, they must inform the Provost in writing (Provost@Hofstra.edu) no later than five (5) business days after having received official notification from the Provost. The student must submit a written statement to the Provost detailing an argument why the removal is not warranted.
- If a student decides to appeal and their appeal is successful, the faculty member should work with the student to determine revised deadlines for completing missed coursework.
- If the student chooses not to appeal or is unsuccessful in their appeal, the faculty member will assign a grade. This grade will be based on the work completed to date, or when possible, will include work completed after the student has been removed, if the faculty member determines that the student can complete the course requirements outside of attending class.
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FPS #50
(rev. 2025)