Student Identity Verification Policy

 

Policy Overview

To meet industry standards for an online institution, Cummings Graduate Institute takes measures to verify the identity of students including the following:

  1. Submission of a government-issued ID
  2. Video or phone admissions interview
  3. Access to a secure Learning Management System (LMS) with user-name and strict password requirements
  4. Proctored exams requiring the following:
    1. Photo identification (in english)
    2. Live image
    3. Recorded video session

In compliance with the provisions of the Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) of 2008, Public Law 110-315, concerning the verification of student identity in distance learning, Cummings Graduate Institute will periodically confirm that a person who has accepted admission to CGI is the person who is completing the Enrollment Agreement, that a student taking an examination is the person who is registered to take the examination, and that the student who is registered for an online course is the same student who participates in, completes, and receives credit for the course. To authenticate identities, Cummings Graduate Institute will use one or more of the following methods for verification:

  • A secure login with username and password
  • Proctored examinations
  • New or emerging technologies and practices that are effective in verifying student identification.
  • Submission of a government-issued form of identification

All methods of verifying student identity will protect the privacy of student information in accordance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and any other applicable laws or regulations regarding the confidentiality of personally identifiable information and CGI’s privacy policy.

Policy Responsibility

Student Responsibility

Student’s are responsible for submitting a government-issued ID during the admissions process and at any point during their academic tenure at CGI.

Instructor & Administrative Staff Responsibilities

The Admissions Department is responsible for checking the applicant/student’s government-issued ID during the admissions process.

The Registrar is responsible for checking and verifying the enrolled student’s government-issued ID during the enrollment process.

Instructors are responsible for reviewing proctored exam reports that are flagged for miss identification and report it to the Director of the Program if applicable.

Policy Procedure

Admissions Process

Students are responsible for uploading a picture of their government- issued identification during the admission application process. After submitting their application, the Admissions Department will review and ensure the person interviewing during the admission interview is the person on the government issued identification.

Enrollment Process

Students are responsible for uploading a picture of their government-issued identification during the admission application process. After enrolling into the program, the Registrar meets with the students and will review and ensure the person in the meeting is the person on the government-issued identification.

Remote Proctor

CGI has established remote proctoring through the program. The remote proctoring occurs within the courses at regular intervals. At a minimum, each student should have one proctored exam per term. After the proctored exam is taken, a report is generated by the vendor. The faculty member and/or designated staff are responsible for ensuring that the proctored exam report is clear and the student taking the exam is the student on the government issued identification.

If at any point there is a concern or question about a student's identity verification, they should report the incident to the Policy and Compliance Department, who will then conduct an investigation and take appropriate action. These actions could include, but are not limited to: resubmission of their government issued identification, a zero grade, an option to retake their assignment/test, and/or removal from the Institution

Forms

At this time, there are no student forms associated with this policy.

Approvals/Revision History

Policy was revised on: May 15, 2023

Policy was approved by: Amanda Harrison, Chief Operating Officer, May 15, 2023


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