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[conjugate]

This is an upper level class, and the student is a junior, I believe. The counseling center clearly knew him well. They told me that I cannot get security to escort him out unless I ask him point blank "Are you going to harm yourself or someone else?" and he answers yes. I already used the strategy of sending him to the counseling center, but it didn't help.

This makes me feel even more sure that the counseling center can't figure out what to do with the kid and are foisting him off onto anybody else.  Tell me, are you new in your department?  Is it possible that the other members of your department also know about this kid, and the reason he's taking (if I didn't misread your original post) four classes from you is that they all know him, want no part of him, and are sticking you with him?

Or did you mean "the second day that this class met," etc.?  I am not sure what you meant by "the fourth class."  In any case, do the best you can, which could be better if you had a competent crew at the disabilities office.  Best wishes, and do see what the Dean of Students can do for you.

[prytania3]

The kid sounds like he's having a nervous breakdown. I don't think there is much you can do other than alert counseling.

If he bursts out crying, you might try telling him to leave the room until he can pull himself together.

[theritas]

I'd would frame everything in a very quick and firm explanation that it is never acceptable to disrupt class.  "I can see you are upset.  We can't disrupt class.  If you can't continue working, please depart now and return during my office hours to discuss this." 

[cj405]

The counseling center clearly knew him well....

This makes me feel even more sure that the counseling center can't figure out what to do with the kid and are foisting him off onto anybody else.....

....which could be better if you had a competent crew at the disabilities office.  Best wishes, and do see what the Dean of Students can do for you.

I agree with what you are saying, but I also wanted to add that the counseling center and disability services office on your campus may be different.  The OP keeps talking about her interactions with the counseling center.  If these are two different entities on OP's campus, it is possible that the disability services people may be more helpful/competent than the counseling center has been.

[odessa]

The kid sounds like he's having a nervous breakdown. I don't think there is much you can do other than alert counseling.

Csgirl,  I'm inclined to agree with Pry on this one.  Inappropriate and uncontrollable crying is often a sign of depression.  It can go hand-in-hand with irritability (also a sign of depression) and the lack of patience to deal with even the slightest irregularity / ambiguity.

If the counseling center can't help you, though, you are stuck.  Dealing with a student's emotional issues is NOT your job, beyond minimizing the disruption to the other students.  Theritas' approach is good for that.

Do document EVERYTHING ... every breakdown in class, every attempt to help him etc.  This one sounds like he could be a problem, whether he engages in self-harm at some point (and the school claims not to have had any indicators) or fights you over a poor course grade.  Or he might hit a wall, request a late withdrawal for "personal reasons" and simply need evidence to help back up the request.

Good luck.

[ford_prefect]

If the counseling center can't help you, though, you are stuck.  Dealing with a student's emotional issues is NOT your job, beyond minimizing the disruption to the other students.  Theritas' approach is good for that.

Again, this is why I think the Dean of Students needs to be alerted. Disrupting the learning of other students is a violation of the code of conduct at most schools.

Incidentally, while I agree with Spork that such students don't belong in a college classroom, our student affairs people report that they are seeing an increase in the number of students with severe emotional difficulties. This thread probably isn't be best place to speculate about why, but I think it would behoove universities to come up with clear guidelines for faculty about how these situations are to be handled.

[palla]

I would email the Dean of Students using the wording suggested in this thread and then say "When can we meet this week to discuss the best course of action for this student?" 

Good luck, csgirl.  Keep us posted!

[geonerd]

I agree with what you are saying, but I also wanted to add that the counseling center and disability services office on your campus may be different.  The OP keeps talking about her interactions with the counseling center.  If these are two different entities on OP's campus, it is possible that the disability services people may be more helpful/competent than the counseling center has been.

Chime to the bolded part. 
Counseling = therapists. They cannot and will not tell you anything.

Look up the Disability Services office, or Disability Resource Center, or similar. That is the office that works with students with learning disorders, behavior disorders, and chronic physical/medical issues. That is the office that helps to determine what reasonable accommodations and services are recommended to help these students succeed and have equal access to the campus. This office also WILL NOT tell you anything about the student's condition. However, they WILL help you find strategies to work successfully with a student. Even if your specific student has not self-registered with the Disability office, you still might be able to describe the behaviors you observe and see if they have suggestions.

Good luck.

[macaroon]

I wish we could increase our font size.

Dean of Students!

It's time for the DoS to call the kid's parents and discuss sending him home until he's stabilized.

You don't need to involve your chair.  In fact, it might be wise not to in order to protect the student's privacy during his "nervous breakdown".