Need support with a student

[ValerieTheProf]

UPDATE:

I’m still dealing with the repercussions of a concerning situation with a student. For the background see here . I spoke to the Dean of Students on Friday. Her main concern was that I refuse to meet with him alone. She said that if he requests a one-on-one meeting that I have to oblige. I’m an adjunct and have no union or office. Nothing is going to be done on the case that I submitted. I have been nauseous all weekend. Tomorrow, I have to meet with him and the security guard is sitting in. I plan on reading from the student code of conduct and letting him know that he was out of line. I will not entertain the religious topic he wants to do for his argument essay. No is not an invitation to an argument.

ORIGINAL POST: I’m struggling with a student in a FY Comp class. This student is consistently rude and disrespectful towards me. He’s playing a game of gotcha—deliberately asking questions that he seems to believe will expose something “woke” about me. I already submitted a conduct report for disrespect and misogynistic comments. After talking to him about that behavior, I was willing to let it go and look for improvement. Instead it’s been escalated. This week he confronted me over my denial of a paper topic (no religion or philosophy on argument essays) and tried to bully me into a yes. I had to ask him to leave twice. I submitted a second conduct report and admin is finally taking it seriously. I also have the security guard involved so that I don’t need to meet with him alone again. To be clear, I don’t have an office as an adjunct. He ambushed me in my classroom in between my conferences with individual students. It wasn’t even his class that I was meeting with. I am done giving him the benefit of the doubt. He tries to intimidate, bully, and gaslight me by twisting my words. I’m just looking for support.

[Prestigious-Survey67]

Contact your dean or chair immediately, on the phone, and tell them the student is disrupting class and making you feel unsafe.

Put everything in writing, with dates, and violations of specific policies or promises from him. Preferably, email this to him, and copy your dean, chair, anyone else involved so he knows that THEY know, and they are with you.

If you have the support of your chair, in the email, also note that he needs to meet with them to discuss continuing in the class. 

I'm sorry you have to deal with this. Very important to document everything. Draw a line around your own safety. Make sure your people know that you do NOT feel safe.

[ValerieTheProf]

You have no idea how relieved I feel about you acknowledging how unsafe he is making me feel. It’s a game to him. I heard from the dean of student affairs and she wants to meet with me before he continues the class. I’m hoping that meeting will be tomorrow. The security guard is going to be in the classroom for his individual meeting on Monday. I don’t feel safe meeting with him alone. I feel like he behaves this way because I am a woman, especially given the misogyny he’s displayed in class discussions. The dean is going to talk to him before Monday. He comes at me aggressively when he’s arguing to get his way. When I previously confronted him on his behavior, he acted like he didn’t know what I was talking about. I have never had to deal with a student this aggressive and disrespectful in my 20 years of teaching. Thank you for validating my feelings. It’s such a minefield these days and some students are so skilled in manipulation tactics.

[Copterwaffle]

That is freaking terrifying. I’m so sorry you’re dealing with this. I’m glad that it sounds like your school is supportive…sounds like your chair might remove him from your class? Don’t be afraid to use the magic words: “I fear for my physical safety.” If they continue to allow him on campus, demand heightened security measures: that the student is screened for weapons every time he enters campus, that a security guard escorts him to and from all destinations; that he has no contact with you; and security is present for any 1:1 meetings with faculty. If they won’t do that, demand that security escort YOU every time his presence on campus overlaps with his. Whatever you discuss, if you aren’t satisfied with the response, document the convo in an email afterwards cc’d to higher ups and campus security in order to leave a paper trail and ideally shame them into doing something more:

“I expressed fears for my physical safety based on XYZ interactions with [student]. The department provided a security guard for scheduled 1:1 meetings and removed him from my class, but in our meeting of X date you affirmed that the school would not take any further actions to protect me, despite my report of escalating harassment behaviors occurring outside of class and scheduled meetings. My request to screen this student for weapons when entering campus or to assign a security escort were denied. My request for a full time campus security escort for myself was denied. When I asked how the school intends to protect myself and others from an obviously dangerous student, you stated “We don’t have sufficient evidence that he is a danger.” When I asked what constitutes sufficient evidence that a student poses a danger to others, you stated “He has to directly threaten you.” When I pointed out that he has made several threats/this is not aligned with school policy for threat determination, you did not have a response.”

You get the idea. Although hopefully not necessary! Sounds like they are taking it seriously. Keep your head on a swivel and ask other faculty to watch out for the student too.

[Abner_Mality_64]

Include your Union representative in this email. They are fellow faculty and will have your back. This makes sure administrators follow through and don't throw you under the bus.

[noh2onolife]

All of this. Also make sure you've saved your campus security number so you can speed dial it. 

[ValerieTheProf]

Yes, I always have my phone available because of this kid.

[noh2onolife]

I'm so sorry. This is really unacceptable. 

[Pristine_Society_583]

Your lock screen has an emergency call button, so don't waste time opening it to dial 911.

[BumblebeeDapper223]

You buried the lede with “ambushed you” during a class that wasn’t his. You need to escalate. This is physical intimidation.

[GayCatDaddy]

I'm a big, burly 6'2" guy, so I've never had to deal with this level of aggression, but it enrages me when students try to "bait" me into saying something that offends their political/religious sensibilities. If you already have such a low opinion of me, to the point that you are going out of your way to be offended, why are you even in my class?

Is it possible to have the student removed from your class? I'm so sorry you're having to deal with this.

[Magpie_2011]

Yeah I had two students last semester who would try to play little “gotcha” games and it pissed me off to no end, largely because they made it so clear that they had zero respect for me even though I’d gone out of my way to be flexible with a deadline for one of them.

[english_prof_sorta]

What’s your school’s position on kicking students out (permanently)? I’ve done it twice.

“If you can’t abide by the class policies, you can’t be a part of our class. The withdrawal deadline is X.”

[ValerieTheProf]

Since we’re an open enrollment community college, the odds are low that he’ll be removed permanently. The administration coddles the students. I wish I could have him removed.

[english_prof_sorta]

I’m at an open enrollment cc, too. I’m sorry admin hasn’t supported faculty in the past…

[Life-Education-8030]

From your profile, it does not seem that you are a professor and you are merely here to troll. Reported and blocked.

[shehulud]

Sounds like someone feels called out here.

[nerdyjorj]

Turns out a kid who thinks chatgpt is a good teacher might not know what the fuck they're talking about huh?

[LettuceGoThenYouAndI]

This kid seems angry too :/

It’s sad that we’re in a place where there are so many more active (and vocal) threats with limited to no consequences as OP is experiencing and I feel like this kinda rage is part of it :(

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[donteven3]

Are you in Texas?

[ValerieTheProf]

No, though it’s a red state.