This document outlines the L&S definition of a significant disruption in a classroom and the L&S process to assist department leaderships and instructors in decision-making during a disruption. This document was updated and reviewed for accessibility on June 16, 2025.
Background
For significant disruptions and complex challenging situations, both college-level and campus-level offices can provide assistance to instructors and departments. Having an established process can provide help in a timely manner while making efficient use of resources.
Overall, the L&S process brings together existing departmental processes for communicating and escalating issues, Academic Associate Deans, and an experienced L&S Assistant Dean who will liaise with Student Affairs to coordinate and lead the resolution of a situation. The nature of any individual incident will guide the specific process. Please consult the details below.
Table of Contents
What is a "significant" disruption?
Defining a significant disruption is subjective. An incident an experienced instructor may handle on their own with little or no assistance from others can be quite different from what another instructor may need help with.
For the purpose of this document a disruptive student incident is one that affects the learning of others in the classroom, has safety and well-being implications for the student themselves or others, or violates UW Code of conduct. Some examples include:
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Students explicitly and repeatedly disregarding instructions about engagement with the classroom community
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Students unable to regulate their emotional responses
Who is the L&S Assistant Dean serving as a Liaison to Student Affairs?
They are an experienced assistant dean that will be called upon by your Academic Associate Dean (AAD) to help the department leadership and instructor determine next steps and, if needed, coordinate assistance from campus partners when you, the department chair, have notified your AAD of a significant disruptive event.
L&S Process for Significantly Disruptive Student Incidents
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Instructors should follow their departmental norms and procedures to consult and elevate the matter. (see panel below on departmental procedures)
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If the department chair determines further assistance is needed to access or coordinate use of resources outside of the unit, they should contact their Academic Associate Dean (AAD) (copying L&S AD for TLA). We encourage department chairs to use their best judgment to inform their AAD in case of significant disruption even if assistance with resources is not needed.
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The AAD may bring in the L&S Assistant Dean Liaison to Student Affairs to assist the department leadership and instructors with the next steps which might include accessing campus resources and offices.
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Once notified, the Liaison will connect with the department chair within 1 business day to learn more about the context of the issue.
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The Liaison will help the department leadership and instructor determine next steps and coordinate assistance from campus partners, if needed.
L&S Requirement for Departmental Procedures for Significant Disruptions
If not already in place, each L&S department must establish procedures for instructors in the department (including TAs) to communicate through the appropriate organizational channels in the department for significant conflicts, disruptions, and issues in the classroom for which assistance may be required. For example:
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TAs should inform and consult with the course instructor.
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Faculty and academic instructional staff might be asked to communicate with:
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The associate chair for undergraduate education
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Course coordinator
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The director of undergraduate program
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Chair (for smaller units)
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The chair is ultimately informed of classroom conflicts.
Instructors should use their best judgment to decide if a call to the police and/or filling out the Student of Concern Referral form is necessary.
L&S Contacts
For more information, please reach out to the contacts below:
