Greetings team, Please see recent established CUNY guidelines below regarding cameras and online test taking. From: QC, Keep Learning <keeplearning@qc.cuny.edu<mailto:keeplearning@qc.cuny.edu>> Sent: Thursday, December 3, 2020 1:57 PM To: Eva Fernandez Subject: CUNY guidelines related to cameras and online test taking Dear Student CUNY has established guidelines concerning camera use in classes. Please become familiar with these guidelines, which are linked to below. Cameras on during live classes.Instructors cannot require that you keep your camera on during live classes, unless there is a pedagogical need for it, and you have been informed in advance. In the case of classes in which an instructor has determined that there is a pedagogical need to require the use of cameras: (1) the requirement for students to be visible on the video must be communicated to students in advance of registration and enrollment; and (2) students who do not have access to cameras and therefore are unable to comply with the requirement must be accommodated. Use of camera for test-taking. These rules must also be followed if an instructor plans to use a technology that requires students to turn on their cameras during test-taking or evaluation. Some courses may require exams where cameras stay on during the exam's synchronous session; other courses may require the use of cameras to evaluate performances or presentations. This requirement will be communicated to students in advance of registration and enrollment. If you are informed of the requirement of camera use for the class in advance of registration and enrollment, and you enroll in the course, you are deemed to have consented to the camera use. If you do not have access to a camera, you should speak to your instructor before enrolling to discuss whether alternatives are available. If there was no communication in advance of registration and enrollment indicating a camera-on requirement, but your instructor informs you that an exam will require camera use, and you are unwilling or unable to be on camera, you must contact your instructor ahead of time and ask for an alternative assessment. This could include an oral exam, an essay, or some other reasonable alternative. * Speak with your instructor as soon as you know you won't be able to meet the camera-on requirement. * If you opt out of taking the exam, you must take the alternative assessment --- that is, you can't simply take the exam with your camera off. * If, after speaking to the instructor, you do not feel that your issues have been resolved, you should speak to the department chair or, after that, the dean, or the Office of the Provost. You may email keeplearning@qc.cuny.edu<mailto:keeplearning@qc.cuny.edu> with any questions or concerns. * You may not ask for an alternative assessment after the exam if as you were notified in advance of the exam of the requirement. If you did ask beforehand, but were not offered an alternative, you may appeal the decision even after the exam. If you are in a course where you took an exam requiring the use of a camera, but you weren't notified in advance of the exam, you should contact your instructor as soon as possible after the exam to explore alternatives. Again, if issues remain after that, speak to the chair or dean. Please note that there are classes where there may be no reasonable alternative assessment and camera use will be required, such as online performance classes or classes requiring live presentations. You should have been informed of this requirement prior to registration and enrollment of the class. As always, reasonable accommodations are available to students with disabilities. If you need such an accommodation, please contact the Office of Special Services (information is below). Remember that successful learning depends on forging a trust relationship with your professors. Just as we have asked your professors not to mandate camera usage, we also ask that you be mindful of the instructional choices your professors make. Be familiar with your options, remember that the work you do needs to be your own, and speak with your professor if you have questions or need an alternative assessment. Please let us know if you have any questions, and best of luck with the rest of the semester. Sincerely, Elizabeth Hendrey Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs https://provost.qc.cuny.edu ------------------ Where to Learn More about the Policies: * CUNY guidance on camera use during live classes: https://www.cuny.edu/coronavirus/academic-continuity/guidance-on-academic-co... * CUNY policy on academic integrity: https://www.cuny.edu/about/administration/offices/legal-affairs/policies-pro... * CUNY list of alternative assessments: https://www.cuny.edu/academics/faculty-affairs/funding-opportunities/alterna... Where to Get Help: * QC Learning Commons: Learning is best achieved as part of a community. Don't hesitate to connect with others. Services include free peer mentors and tutors who work with you online to help you get the most out of your academic career. Interested? https://forms.gle/5T6HzUanyhoA664q9 * QC Office of Special Services (OSS): If you need accommodations from the Office of Special Services, register with OSS using up-to-date documentation. OSS can be reached at +1 718-997-5870, or by email at QC.SPSV@qc.cuny.edu<mailto:QC.SPSV@qc.cuny.edu>. * Navigate QC: Download QC Navigate at the App Store or Google Play; https://navigate.qc.cuny.edu<https://navigate.qc.cuny.edu/> [EAB Navigate Logo]