Dealing With Disruptive People

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Dealing With Disruptive People
Thanks to Andrea Goldblum, Student Judicial
Affairs Anna Stephenson, University Police, at
OSU Columbus
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Learning Objectives

• Participants will be able to
• Recognize disruptive or unusual behaviors
• Gain tools and strategies for responding to such
  behaviors
• Learn what, to whom and how to report and refer
• Become familiar with the resources available to
  assist them
• UNDERSTAND THAT THEY ARE NOT ALONE IN DEALING
  WITH THESE ISSUES

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Disruptive or Inappropriate Behavior

• Behavior that interferes with other students,
  faculty or staff and their access to an
  appropriate educational or work environment.
  This includes severe or ongoing and pervasive
  disruption of academic, administrative and other
  campus activities.
• Possible causes
• Rudeness
• Anger, anxiety or other emotional state
• Mental health

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Inappropriate/Disruptive Behavior

• Cell phones and text messages
• Talking in class
• Yelling and screaming
• Persistent and unreasonable demands of attention
• Words and/or actions that have the effect of
  intimidating or causing fear for your safety
• Use of profanity or fighting words
• lt-------------------------------------------------
  ---------------------------------------gt
• ? ? ?
• rudeness disruption violence

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What is NOT Disruptive Behavior

• Cultural differences
• Most disagreements or differences of opinion
• Situational frustration
• Individuals who need more time or special
  accommodations for special reasons and who have
  appropriate documentation

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Unusual Behaviors

• Marked change in behavior
• Deterioration in personal hygiene
• Depressed or lethargic mood
• Hyperactivity or very rapid speech
• Dramatic weight loss or gain
• Strange or bizarre behavior
• Absenteeism from class or work
• References to suicide
• References to homicide

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Tactics and Tips

• Lower your voice and speak slowly and remain calm
• Recognize that this is not personal
• Watch your body language/space/touching
• Use I statements
• Set clear expectations/say no/be clear
• Use behavioral terms to relate what needs to
  change
• Use empathy and be non-judgmental
• Use active listeninglisten through the behavior
  for both content and feelings
• Acknowledge a problem and try to help resolve it,
  if you can, or explore options for assistance
• Know your limitations

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Other Tips

• Do not touch the person or invade personal space
• Do not say I know how you feel
• Do not minimize the persons feelings
• Be aware of gender/cultural aspects of
  communication
• Ask person to leave, if needed
• Telephone give warning before hanging up
• Responding to threats of legal action
• Have statement about expectations in your area
• Dont ignore behavior or warning signs
• Talk in private

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Document, Document, Document!

• Keep log of interactions, including relevant
  dates, times, etc.
• Keep copies of emails, messages, letters, etc.
• Report observationsonline form
• Be factual and detailed, use concrete terms
• Keep out editorial language, suppositions
• Refer to the appropriate department
• Do not keep as part of an academic record
• Share appropriately
• FERPA/HIPAA
• Consult! Consult! Consult!

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Other thoughts

• Do not make promises you cannot keep
• Do not promise confidentiality, if you cannot
  honor it
• Make appropriate referrals notify that person
  you are referring them
• Be sure of accuracy of your response
• Demonstrate that you are truly trying to resolve
  an issue if one exists
• Be decisive
• Follow the rules/procedures (dont make
  exceptions)
• Do not allow complainant to set the agenda
• Determine when to stop engaging
• Report incidents in a timely mannerdo not let
  things pile up!

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Personal Safety

• Have a safety plan BEFORE anything occurs notify
  colleagues
• Trust your instincts
• Keep door open or meet in public location, if
  possible
• Ask individuals to leave bags, jackets, etc. in
  another office where they are watched
• Review environment exits, office set up, etc.
• Develop code words for help
• Request a stand-by (police or security)
• Ask for help
• Get out!

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Role of the Police

• Call the Police
• Criminal Charges
• Stand-bys
• Trespass Warnings
• Criminal Histories

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The Role of Student Judicial Affairs

• Jurisdiction
• Standards/Rules
• Endangering health or safety
• Dangerous weapons or devices
• Failure to comply with university or civil
  authority
• Unauthorized presence
• Disorderly or disruptive conduct
• Suspension
• Interim
• Administrative
• Process
• Sanctions
• Restrictions
• No contact orders

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When to Make the Call

• When should I call the Police?
• If you feel you or others safety is at risk.
• When should I notify Security or Student Affairs
  instead?
• If the level of disruption or harassment has not
  yet risen to a threat or safety concern.

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What is a CAT Team - Students

• CAT is an informal consultation team that is
  advisory to the Vice President for Student
  Affairs in Columbus. Permanent members in
  Columbus include Director of Counseling and
  Consultation Service (Chair), OSU Police,
  Director of Student Judicial Affairs, ADA
  Coordinators Office and Office of Legal Affairs.
  Other faculty or staff are included as needed.
• Permanent members in Mansfield include the Chief
  Student Affairs Officer, Disability Specialist,
  and our contract Psychologist. Other faculty and
  staff are included as needed.

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What is a CAT Team

• Consulting meetings are held at the request of
  the OSU-M faculty, staff, or students who are
  concerned about the behavior of a student that is
  potentially dangerous to others or is extremely
  disruptive. Often the behavior is perceived to
  have a mental health root.

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Charges given to the CAT team

• Assess situations involving students who pose a
  potential risk of harm to person or property in
  the university community or of substantial
  disruption of university activities.
• Consult with faculty, staff, and students
  involved in or impacted by the students behavior
  and develop strategies.

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Charges given to the CAT team

• Coordinate the university response to violent,
  threatening, or significantly disruptive
  students.
• Make recommendations to the Vice President for
  Student Affairs on an appropriate course of
  action with regard to a student who poses a
  potential risk of harm consistent with university
  rules and policies. (Columbus)
• Consult with Columbus CAT if situation warrants
  extreme response, such as removal from school.
  (Mansfield)

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Other Resources

• Emergency (from on campus) 9-9-1-1
• Campus Security x4346/4218
• Student Affairs x4034
• Counseling (Dr. Wagners Office) 419-529-9941
• Dr. Wagners emergency line
  419-571-1678
• Human Resources x4047
• Student Advocacy (Columbus) 614-292-1111
• Wellness Center (Columbus) 614-292-4527
• Faculty/Staff Assistance Program 614-292-4472

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What activities or symptoms should I address or
report?

• Anything that causes you concern.
• Anything that prevents you from being able to
  effectively perform your duties.
• Err on the side of caution and let the
  appropriate officials make the determination on
  the level of intervention.