Behavior

The behavioral management program is based on one developed by Girls and Boys Town, with modifications appropriate to our students. Each member of the faculty and staff is trained to use the behavioral management program.

Faculty and staff are trained to correct in private when at all possible in order to reduce tension and decrease the stress of the situation. The correction should clearly and particularly address the inappropriate behavior. No student should ever be ridiculed, even in jest. The student should be included in the ongoing activity as soon as possible after the correction. Finally, students should be given the opportunity to further discuss the incident at another time.

Staff are instructed specifically along the following lines for correcting misconduct: a.) describe to the student the inappropriate behavior; b.) ask the student for his perception of the misbehavior; c.) teach and/or re-teach the appropriate behavior; d.) provide a rationale for the appropriate behavior; e.) ask the student to describe or demonstrate the appropriate behavior; f.) assign consequences or indicate what the consequences will be if the misbehavior is repeated; g.) check for understanding of the consequences; h.) end with a genuine statement of praise.

The Dean of Students advises the Rector regarding more serious misbehavior. The Dean of Students may consult the Dean of Students Advisory Group when dealing with difficult situations or regarding policies, procedures and practices.

A peer mediation program is utilized when there are disputes between students that have the potential to escalate into more serious situations. Participation in peer mediation is voluntary. Senior volunteers selected by the Dean of Students are trained to serve as peer mediators.

Community Service Hours

A community service hour is an assigned one-hour period of work that is issued by the Dean of Students for a single incident or an accumulation of rule violations or inappropriate behaviors. The community service hour is to serve both as a reminder of inappropriate behavior and as a demonstration of the student’s willingness to contribute in a positive way to the school community. Past due community service hours will result in consequences in addition to the completion of the pending community service hour.

Detention

A detention is a three-hour period on Sunday afternoon. During detention a student is to sit quietly and reflect in written form on his inappropriate behavior and the expected appropriate behavior of a student. Detention reflections addressed to parents or guardians will be mailed home.

Behavioral and Attitudinal Probation

A student may be placed on probation for disruptive or uncooperative behavior or poor attitude. This occurs when a student has created doubt about the feasibility of his continued presence at St. Lawrence. Level I probation occurs when the Seminary has doubt due to inappropriate behavior. Level II results from doubt due to continued inappropriate behavior or when the severity of the incident warrants it.

Attitudinal probation occurs when a student’s behavior creates a doubt that he is meeting the expectations of the student profile found in the St. Lawrence Seminary Student Handbook.

A student placed on probation must see and meet with his assigned probation advisor within 24 hours of being placed on probation. The student has 48 hours to turn in his probation contract, signed by the student, the Rector, the Dean of Students, his Dorm Supervisor, and his Probation Advisor. While on probation the student will serve five detentions and complete five community service hours.

A student on probation will arrange and meet weekly with his Probation Advisor. The purpose of these meetings is to review the student’s progress in fulfilling the probation contract. In addition, these meetings allow time to challenge specific behavioral and attitudinal problems. Before each meeting with his Probation Advisor, the student will briefly meet with his Dorm Supervisor to discuss his behavior in the dormitory.

If a student fails to respond positively to this probation program, the student may be dismissed. The student files an application for removal from probation with the Dean of Students at the end of the ninth week of probation. Special arrangements may be made for students who cannot complete the probationary period during the school year. A student on probation may be restricted from participating in some special activities.