From the Provost regarding online exams and some alternatives
October 22, 2020
From: James McCarthy, Interim Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs
There are only a small number of very simple points that are important in recent messages and informal surveys asking students their views about online, monitored examinations.
- CUNY has a clear policy on not requiring any students to be forced to take monitored, online examinations.
- Baruch will absolutely, in all cases, fully honor this CUNY policy.
- However, CUNY policy does not forbidthe use of monitored, online examinations, provided that all students are offered an alternative format for those examinations.
- In recent days, selected Baruch instructors simply asked students about their preferences for monitored online versus traditional face-to-face examinations. This question was nothing more than a straw poll that we will use to guide our planning.
- Interestingly, in every course surveyed, approximately 90% expressed a preference for monitored online examinations, whereas approximately 10% expressed a preference for a traditional face-to-face examination.
One more point was raised about the “safety of opening the Campus” for those who might take face-to-face examinations. Baruch has a CUNY-approved and New York State-approved “Safe Campus Reopening Plan.” Consistent with that plan, we have — all semester – been offering a small number of traditional face-to-face classes. The Campus is open – in a very limited manner – and in a very safe manner, with appropriate policies in place. Furthermore, it appears that we can provide safe conditions, fully consistent with CUNY and NYS requirements, for all students who prefer face-to-face examinations over monitored online examinations.
Finally, it is important to note that we are exploring the use of monitored online examinations only for 11 of the largest, multi-section courses offered by the College.
James McCarthy
Interim Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs