The College strives to uphold the highest levels of academic integrity as students complete their coursework and earn credentials. To this end, the College confirms the identity of each student enrolled in distance education courses as they complete course requirements.
Account Security
First, the College issues a secure username and temporary password to each student. Before accessing the College’s learning management system, students must create a private password. With their new password, students access their online course content, submit assignments and tests, communicate with the instructor, and participate in discussions.
Students are responsible for the integrity of their account, including proper password protection. The College directs students to keep passwords completely private. If a student shares access to their account with others or obtains another user’s password, they will be subject to disciplinary action. Additionally, no member of the faculty or staff is permitted to use a student’s password, including supervisors, help desk personnel, or security administrators.
Identify Verification for Assignments and Tests
The College requires all online courses to have at least one proctored learning activity (i.e., presentation, test, final exam) that amounts to a significant portion of the student’s final course grade. During a proctored learning activity, the course instructor, an approved third-party proctoring service, or an approved college employee serving in a proctor role will (a) verify the student’s identity and (b) monitor their work. Proctoring may occur in person or online; however, the proctor’s oversight must be adequate to ensure that a student is who they say they are and that they are completing their work with academic integrity.
In all cases, students must present an official photo ID to verify their identity.
As faculty plan proctored learning activities, the following options are available:
- Testing in the Academic Success Center (free to students)
- Use of web conferencing tools such as Teams, Zoom, or Collaborate (free to students)
- Virtual third-party proctoring service (Students may be required to pay for this service, and equipment such as a web camera will be required.)
- Testing at other approved testing centers (Students may be required to pay for testing services.)
Before each term, faculty must notify students of proctoring options that will require the purchase of services or equipment. At a minimum, the College will add this information to course section details that students access as they register for courses each semester.
See Verification of Identity Procedure 04.02.080.a.