Scope
This policy applies to all credit-bearing online courses (fully online and blended online) taken by students between application and graduation.
Introduction
In accordance with the Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) (Public Law 110-315), Federal Requirement 34 CFR §602.17(g), and HLC Policy Number FDCR.A.10.050, institutions offering distance or online education must have processes to establish that the student who registers in such courses is the same student who participates in and receives academic credit. Quincy College offers online courses, therefore, must verify that the student who registers for an online course or program is the same student who participates in and completes the course or program and receives academic credit
HEOA/HLC regulations require the use of one of the following three methods:
- A secure login and passcode
- Proctored examinations
- New or other technologies and practices that are effective in verifying student identification
As such, Quincy College practices the following aforementioned HEOA/HLC regulations as acceptable practices for verifying student identity:
- Quincy College issues students a secure username and password to log in to the College’s online portal and learning management system (currently Canvas).
All users of the College’s online portal and learning management system are responsible for maintaining the security of usernames, passwords, and other access credentials as required. An account is given to an individual for the exclusive use by that individual. Attempting to discover another user’s password or attempts to gain unauthorized access to another person’s files or email is prohibited. It is against Policy 9.10C: Password Protection Policy, as listed in the Quincy College Policy Manual, for a user to give someone his or her password or allow others to use his or her account. Users are responsible for any and all users of their account. Users are responsible for all activity on their accounts.
- Quincy College utilizes online proctored technology for assessments On demand proctoring technology for online assessment is available for faculty to use in their courses.
Proctoring technology includes:
A LockDown Browser
Assessments taken within the learning management system require the use of lockdown browser technology. Such technology ensures the device used for taking an online assessment prohibits use of programs and features outside of the testing environment.
An Assessment Monitor
Assessments administered within the learning management system require the use of monitoring technology, which facilitates visual identification of the student, presentation of ID cards, inspection of local testing environment, video recording of exam session, and automatic flagging of suspicious behavior during the exam.
- In addition to the measures stated thus far, other technologies, practices, and policies aid in the verification of student identity.
Data Information Systems
College systems that facilitate user access to course registration, the learning management system, internet communication, financial aid, billing, and other services are populated directly and automatically by the data system.
Accessing these systems requires a student to authenticate using their Quincy College login username and password.
Procedures:
The College ensures compliance with the HEOA/HLC regulations as follows.
- Confirmation of student identification within Quincy College’s Student Registration System
- Students are required have a photo taken by the College for their QC Identification card prior to the start of their first class.
- A student identification photo is included in the class roster within the student registration system.
- Required faculty confirmation of student identity within individual courses utilizing one of the following options
Option 1: Faculty confirm student identity via live visual capabilities (i.e. Zoom) and the image on the class roster.
Option 2: Faculty confirm student identity via an externally proctored activity provided by an external, third party proctoring service and the image on the class roster.
Student Privacy
All methods of verifying student identity in online learning protects the privacy of student information under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (6.15).
Fees
At this time there are no additional student fees associated with student verification. In the event any verification fee is needed, it will be posted on the course registration site to provide an advance alert to students.
Original: November 2009
Updated: March 2022