4.8 An institution that offers distance or correspondence education documents each of the following: (Distance and correspondence education)
4.8.1 An institution that offers distance or correspondence education documents: proof that the student who registers in a distance or correspondence education course or program is the same student who participates in and completes the course or program and receives the credit by verifying the identity of a student who participates in class or coursework by using, at the option of the institution, methods such as (a) a secure login and pass code, (b) proctored examinations, or (c) new or other technologies and practices that are effective in verifying student identification.
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Compliant |
Online education at William Carey University provides
quality instruction, ensures integrity of student participation, and protects
the privacy of the student. William Carey University’s distance education
program includes online and hybrid courses, but not correspondence education
courses. WCU’s learning management system, Desire2Learn (D2L), requires that
students use a login and password to
access all course materials. Students can only access content for courses
in which they are enrolled. Other online services require login and password,
these include student email
and the student portal,
Indigo. This layered approach has proved effective in verifying identify.
To verify the authenticity of the registered, paid enrollee, D2L uses
university’s student Active Directory resources. Active Directory in an
industry standard from Microsoft that provides a central location for secure
authentication.
By logging into D2L and entering the D2L site, students are acknowledging agreement to applicable William Carey University policies and guidelines. A link to these guidelines is provided to students and includes the Student Code of Conduct and the University Policy (Technology Acceptable Use Policy). These policies also address falsification or misuse of identity and technology.
William Carey University’s portal access is encrypted using either transport Layer Security (TLS) or Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) with certificates from VeriSign. TLS/SSL certificates ensure the identity of the server being used and provide assurance to students that university web sites are trusted.
Faculty in online courses do not require proctored exams. Approximately 50 percent of distance education courses are offered in a hybrid format and require students to attend one to three times during the term.
4.8.2 Has a written procedure for protecting the privacy of students enrolled in distance and correspondence education courses or programs.
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Compliant |
William Carey University has a written procedure for protecting the privacy of students enrolled in distance courses or programs. WCU's written policy and procedure is based on the guidelines outlined by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) which applies to all students, including distance students. In accordance with FERPA, William Carey University's Privacy Rights of Students policy is intended to protect student records, and students are notified of the policy through The Student Handbook. Procedures are in place for the annual notification of student records, student access to education records, amendment of education records, disclosure of personally identifiable information, disclosure of directory information, disclosure of records in health and safety emergencies, disclosure of records with personally identifiable information removed, and recording requests for disclosure. Additionally, user responsibilities specific to privacy are also addressed in University Policy.
4.8.3 Has a written procedure distributed at the time of registration or enrollment that notifies students of any projected additional student charges associated with verification of student identity.
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Compliant |
William Carey University does not charge additional student fees for verification of student identity. Student fees are published online and in the catalogs: Undergraduate, Graduate, Master of Biomedical Science Student Handbook and Catalog and The College of Osteopathic Medicine Student Handbook and Catalog. Students are notified at the time of registration of all fee charges.
Documentation
Desire to Learn (D2L) Login and Password
Student Code of Conduct in The Student Handbook
Technology Acceptable Use Policy
Privacy Rights of Students (FERPA)
Master of Biomedical Science Student Handbook and Catalog
College of Osteopathic Medicine Student Handbook and Catalog