STUDENT IDENTIFY VERIFICATION POLICY

Student identify verification policy

Because of new regulations stemming from the federal reauthorization of the Higher Education Act in 2008, higher education institutions have been asked to address student authentication for all distance and correspondence courses. To be in compliance with this regulation, institutions are required that the institution must demonstrate 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 (1) a secure login and pass code, (2) proctored examinations, and (3) new or other technologies and practices that are effective in verifying student identification.

Thus, UNAD has instituted the following policies to address student authentication:

Identity Management

1. During the admission process, students are required to submit a valid picture ID, which is saved and used for subsequent student identification processes.

2. All students enrolled in courses receive individual secure login and pass codes to the institutional learning management system (LMS), and are responsible for maintaining the security of their username, password, and other access credentials.

3. Faculty regularly have synchronous interaction with students via videoconference; through this interaction, the student’s identity is verified and validated for participation in registered courses.

Additional Measures

To further assure that the admitted student is the same student who completes coursework and assessments and is awarded credit, UNAD Florida applies the following measures:

In the registration system, each student has a unique identification number, in addition to all pertinent personal, financial, and academic data. Access to this system is restricted to the Admission, Academic, and Compliance departments of UNAD Florida, and changes are closely monitored to avoid identity theft.
The academic platform requires students to change their password twice a year to reinforce security and protect the student’s identity. When a student forgets their platform credentials, they must contact the Admission department to validate their identity and obtain new credentials.
Synchronous interaction via videoconference facilitates the confirmation of student identity, and staff members continuously interact with students via phone calls and emails from the admissions process and throughout the duration of the academic program.
UNAD Florida is considering acquiring proctoring services for its online quizzes and exams, which would add a further layer of verification and validation of student identity.

Professors are required to conduct synchronous interactions with students to ensure that the person enrolled is the one doing the coursework. Professors should also pay special attention to sudden changes in students’ behavior in relation to their deadlines and writing style, and any concerns that indicate a change in a student’s identity should be immediately reported to the Academic Dean.

Cost to Student for Student Authentication.

There is no cost to students for student authentication.

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