The purpose of this procedure is to ensure that Parami University operates in compliance with the provisions of the United States Federal Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) concerning the verification and authentication of student identity in distance education.

Scope

This is an institution-wide procedure, affecting all members of the University.

Referenced Laws, Regulations, and/or Policies 

The Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) requires that institutions offering distance education or correspondence courses or programs must ensure that the student registering for a course or in a program is the same student who participates in, completes, and or receives course credit. The Act requires institutions

(1)              to verify the identity of a student who participates in class or coursework by using, at the option of the institution, methods such as

(i)   A secure login and pass code;

(ii)  Proctored examinations; and

(iii) New or other technologies and practices that are effective in verifying student identity; and

(2)              to make clear in writing that institutions must use processes that protect student privacy and notify students of any projected additional student charges associated with the verification of student identity at the time of registration or enrollment.

(34 C.F.R. §602.17)

Procedures

Parami University provides a secure Parami-affiliated UserID and password to manage access to the university’s resources, such as the University Canvas learning management system (LMS), Orbund student information system (SIS), and all other educational tools and resources to be accessed. Parami University’s Canvas LMS integrates with the University authentication services to ensure appropriate and secure student access to courses and other Student Information System.

Verification and Authentication

Student verification and authentication start at the stage of program registration all the way through graduation. Student applicants will have to go through a virtual interview with a video camera-on in Zoom with Parami’s admissions officers. It is the responsibility of the students to provide their complete and true identity information, along with a photo that they wish to use to be associated with the University when they submit the application in the Apply portal. It is against the University policy for a prospective applicant to forge identities and/or give the identities of someone else to the University. The admissions team will verify the student’s identity during live interviews with the photos that they have submitted during their application. It is mandatory that a student shows their face during the live interview, along with any available photo identification.

Once the students are admitted, their photos that have been verified during the interview stage will be uploaded and recorded in the Orbund SIS as well as the Canvas LMS. The academic staff will be required to authenticate students’ identities during classes. Live audio and video of students during synchronous class sessions will be the integrated features of the LMS. If the academic staff recognizes that the student attending the course is different from the photo of the student, the academic staff must notify the Dean of Academic Affairs and the Unit of Student Support Services.

Proctoring

Parami University believes that the best way to proctor exams and tests is through genuine human-to-human interaction. Therefore academic staff are required to proctor their own exams in line with the Academic Integrity policy of the University. This is to ensure that the student participating in a course and taking an exam is the same student who registered for the course. Students are required to show a complete view of their surroundings to make sure that nobody is helping them take the exam. If there is any internet bandwidth challenge, the academic staff may allow the student to have the video off, but must occasionally ask the student to turn the video on. Technical support would be available to all students if required.

All activities during the exam will be recorded and may be reviewed for any violation. Any suspicious activity recognized by the academic staff will be notified to the student and the Unit of Student Support Services and the Dean of Academic Affairs. Violations of academic integrity are subject to sanctions. Please see the Student Probation, Suspension, and Expulsion procedure.

Identity Fraud

It is against the University policy for an admitted student or any University-affiliated member to give someone their password or to allow others to use their account to complete their course assignments or ask someone else to submit assignments on their behalves. Likewise, attempting to figure out another user's password or gain illegal access to another person's files or email is also forbidden. All users of the University's learning management system as well as the student information system are responsible for the security of their UserIDs and passwords, as well as any other essential access credentials.

Fee

There are no additional student fees for verification at this time. If a verification fee is required, it will be advertised on program brochures to give students advance notice.

Parami University complies with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), codified at 20 U.S.C. 1232g, which safeguards the privacy of student information in distance education by requiring that, with a few exceptions, the student's agreement be sought before releasing any personally identifiable information in the student's education records.

Review

The Office of Admissions and Student Affairs is responsible for ensuring compliance with this procedure in various offices of the University.

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