Mark Coggins
I was very disappointed to read that Stan State has permitted a “solution” that allows faculty members to “require students to turn on their web cams during exams”. This decision is in spite of the current web cam policy prohibiting the same practice for synchronous classes. This requirement remains extremely invasive and I believe it should not be allowed under any circumstances.
Within the article “Stan State Provides Updates on Web Camera Policy” Morley Brown provides a link to the Academic Senate’s forum on the matter. The policy is quite clear and explicitly references exams. Specifically, the portion under rationale states “tying grades to a student’s ability or choice to appear live, on camera (through participation credit, exams, etc.) is a problematic practice […]”
Many reasons are given by the Senate in the policy, but a practical concern I have for myself and all my peers is the need for a student to take a bathroom break during a proctored exam.
It is a violation of our right to privacy, which is already under constant attack in this digital age. Stan State should fight to protect its students and enact a permanent policy that clarifies and prohibits professors from requiring students to turn on their web cam during exams once and for all.
I urge the Academic Technology and Learning Committee to reconsider its solution to this concern which was founded without merit. This matter is increasingly urgent as we approach our midterms and finals.
Andre Roundtree
Thank you for covering this issue. I have had classes in the past where an instructor did not require your camera to be on, but encouraged students to turn them on. This instructor talked about how it was unfair to the other students who did have their cameras on, and pretty much shamed the students who did not have them on. I think this was a wise policy in lieu of the state of things due to covid. Keep up the great work!