The Faculty Senate approved a resolution banning Proctorio and asking to create and implement a local virtual proctoring program. Learn more information about Palomar Online Proctoring.

Faculty Senate Resolution, Approved May 2021

WHEREAS the COVID-19 pandemic catalyzed a shift to online, remote learning beginning in Spring 2020 which increased the use of third-party remote proctoring software at Palomar College to facilitate classroom assessment activities, and

WHEREAS test and academic integrity is a priority, and

WHEREAS other methods of assessment (such as authentic assessment) exist that can both assess student learning and reduce the possibility of cheating, and

WHEREAS a number of educational institutions around the country have restricted or banned the use of third-party remote proctoring software and the CCC Chancellor’s Office will no longer fund the use of third-party remote proctoring software, which has an annual cost of more than $18,000, and

WHEREAS the use of third-party remote proctoring software can be an invasion of student privacy; can increase anxiety and negatively impact student performance on assessments; places technological and equipment demands on students that have financial impacts; and is an inequitable assessment solution as research shows it disproportionately and negatively impacts BILPOC students, students with certain physical or psychiatric disabilities/limitations, students performing childcare duties during the time of assessment, and others, and

WHEREAS Palomar College’s Associated Student Government has shared student concerns about the use of third-party remote proctoring software.

BE IT RESOLVED that the Faculty Senate discourages the use of third-party remote proctoring software which includes synchronous or asynchronous video recording (other than for the purposes of verifying test-taker identities) that does not follow current camera policies established for other software use (such as Zoom) , recording of biometric data, recording of private student spaces, or collection of any other private data by third-party providers in Palomar College courses, and

RESOLVED that the Distance Education committee will investigate software alternatives that are equitable for students but also maintain test and academic integrity, and

RESOLVED that the Faculty Senate will provide faculty with recommendations and guidelines for the limited use of third-party remote proctoring software that can help reduce inequities and negative impacts for students, as well as alternatives such as utilizing authentic assessments, and

RESOLVED that the Faculty Senate requires that faculty using third-party remote proctoring software within the limited scope outlined in the forthcoming guidelines accommodate students who cannot or do not meet the technical requirements for using the third-party remote proctoring software, and

RESOLVED that the Faculty Senate will advocate for an on-campus, in-person testing location that follows established safety standards and support online, live proctoring solutions that are equitable, and

RESOLVED that the Faculty Senate calls on the Palomar Community College District to consider ways in which it can address student equity during remote test-taking, and

RESOLVED that the Faculty Senate will ensure that any remaining or future ATRC training on the use of third-party remote proctoring software will include the Faculty Senate guidelines for appropriate usage, and

RESOLVED that this resolution shall be shared with Palomar College’s Associated Student Government, Palomar College’s Academic Technology Resources Center, Academic Senate for California Community Colleges, and the Chancellor’s Office.