All students have the right to learn without interference from others. Instructors, teaching assistants, and staff members have the authority to protect this right by creating and maintaining an environment that is conducive to learning. Toward this end, the department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering (ABE) has developed the following Code of Classroom Conduct.
Classroom misconduct is any behavior which disrupts or interferes with the learning experience. Students are required and expected to conduct themselves in a mature, considerate, and professional manner. Students should conduct and express themselves in a way that is respectful to all individuals. This includes respecting the rights of others to comment and participate fully in class. Classroom misconduct includes, but is not limited to, the following:
- Engaging in behavior that disrupts or interferes with the learning experience. Behavior such as, but not limited to, talking in class while the instructor, teaching assistant or other students are speaking, using offensive language, creating distractions or disturbances, reading unrelated material, and moving about the classroom is, in many situations, considered disruptive behavior to the learning process.
- Using cell phones or other electronic devices that disrupt the learning process or teaching environment is not allowed unless related to class activity. The use of personal laptop computers, phones, etc. may be acceptable in some classes; however they must be used only for note-taking or activities in direct support of the course objectives. Instructors and teaching assistants have the right to ask students to shut down any electronic device.
- Entering the classroom late or leaving the classroom prior to the end of class is considered a disruption to the learning process and should be avoided unless exceptional circumstances arise or prior notice has been given.
Harassment of anyone will not be tolerated in any form. Harassment includes offensive gestures or verbal comments related to race, ethnicity, religion, disability, physical appearance, gender, age, or sexual orientation, deliberate intimidation, stalking, following, harassing photography or recording, sustained disruption of classes or other events, inappropriate physical contact, circulation of written or graphic material that denigrates or shows hostility or aversion, and unwelcome attention.
Iowa State University strives to maintain our campus as a place of work and study for faculty, staff, and students that is free of all forms of prohibited discrimination and harassment based upon race, ethnicity, sex (including sexual assault), pregnancy, color, religion, national origin, physical or mental disability, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, or status as a U.S. veteran. Any student who has concerns about such behavior should contact the course instructor, the ABE Associate Chair for Teaching (Dr. Tom Brumm, 515.294.5145, tbrumm@iastate.edu), Student Assistance (515.294.1020, dso-sas@iastate.edu, http://www.studentassistance.dso.iastate.edu,), or the Office of Equal Opportunity (515.294.7612, eooffice@iastate.edu, http://www.eoc.iastate.edu/).
Adopted by the ABE Faculty
October 21, 2016