UHCL students expressed concerns with ProctorU
EDITORS NOTE: 1/20/2021: This story was edited to clarify a student’s comments.
EDITORS NOTE: 1/26/2021: This story was edited to clarify a student’s title.
ProctorU defines itself as “the world’s leading online exam proctoring solution that offers a powerful, convenient, secure and cost-effective alternative to traditional test centers.”
“The College of Business has been successfully using ProctorU since 2014,” said David Rachita, dean of students. “Thus, the business students are very aware of and used to how the service works. Concerns that we received over the past couple of COVID semesters were mostly from those from the three other colleges; I suspect because they simply were not used to the idea of being recorded while taking an exam.”
Since COVID-19 forced classes to operate remotely, there are students who have expressed concerns about ProctorU.
“When classes were moved online, I wasn’t concerned or surprised that we would be using proctor services to take exams online,” said Rebecca Moore, accounting major. “However, in using ProctorU for the first time, I was extremely concerned with the level of information required to just take the exam.”
Student complaints with ProctorU are varied.
“We have not had that many documented student issues with ProctorU,” Rachita said. “The only real concerns were in the spring semester at the early stages of COVID. Students had concerns as to whether they were going to need to pay for this proctored service. Early on, the university amended its license with ProctorU so that there is no fee for the version most faculty are now using.”
Some of the student complaints involved the removal of religious headdresses and/or modifications on one’s computer.
“Some of the complaints which were fairly marginal, but still significant were complaints about removing religious headdresses, students would log into the computer, the proctor would log into their computer and make modifications on the piece of the software on their computer for them to secure their work station,” said LeeBrian Gaskins, assistant vice president for IT/CIO.
Sheridan Allison, double major in business management with a concentration in leadership, and marketing, expressed frustration that many students are forced to remove religious and cultural headwear during proctoring.
“A big rule that they are very serious about is no headwear,” Allison said. “I often show them that my ears are uncovered, and my hair is wrapped too tight to hide anything under it and they still persist and they’ve even gone so far as to ask me what religion I followed as I refused to take off a bandana.”
Additionally, ProctorU requests one’s driver’s license. Some students expressed concerns over their safety since driver’s licenses disclose their full name and address.
“I understand completely that identity does need to be confirmed to curb cheating and retain the value of the degree I’m seeking, but I was very uncomfortable allowing ProctorU to have photos of my driver’s license,” Moore said. “A driver’s license number, address, and full name is more than enough information to be used in identity theft.”
One student said that the person proctoring her exam would only allow a driver’s license.
“The proctor will request a state issued ID and as I don’t even know the full name of this random person across the globe, I’m not showing them my license,” Allison said. “Instead, I offer my UHCL student ID and employee ID and they refuse to accept them.”
On the change.org website, a UHCL student created a petition for UHCL to no longer use ProctorU and for professors to proctor their own exams. As of Dec. 7, 189 people have signed the petition.
“I decided to sign the petition as I’m a firm believer of action,” Allison said. “We can complain to each other all day, but that won’t change anything; students have so much power and it’s refreshing to finally see our student body care about something.”
Some students hope UHCL explores other options for proctoring.
“I respect UHCL’s dedication to keeping us safe, preventing the spread of COVID, and retaining the value of the degrees we are seeking; however, I hope they explore other options or ask ProctorU to make some changes,” Moore said.
UHCL is working to address student concerns with ProctorU.
“We are looking at working with the company to improve,” said Steven Berberich, senior vice president for academic affairs and provost of UHCL. “Staying with the company, we want to make sure we are addressing these issues, so they do not come back up again.”
Gaskins and the University Technology Advisory Committee are looking at issues with ProctorU. Gaskins and the committee are working alongside Student Government Association (SGA) president Hiba Loya and student representative, Adir Cuello.
“We have been working really closely with students to address these issues and are also working with the company,” Gaskins said.
UHCL will look at the petition on the change.org website, along with student complaints to get recommendations on how to move forward with proctoring exams.
“The ultimate goal is to assure the security and validity of the tests, so whatever we need to do and accomplish it in multiple avenues, then that will take some of the burden off of this particular software,” Berberich said.
If students have issues with ProctorU, they are encouraged to reach out to either the UCT support center or the Dean of Students.
