This message was sent on March 31, 2021 from John Zumbrunnen, vice provost for teaching and learning, to all faculty and instructors teaching in spring 2021.
This message is being sent to all faculty and instructors teaching this spring 2021.
Dear Instructional Colleagues (please share with your TAs),
I’m writing to share a number of resources available to you as we approach the end of the semester and prepare for finals.
General Exam Guidance
- Review important reminders for successful remote exams, which provide specific guidance around careful exam design, fairness and academic integrity, and supporting your students (including, for example, students who may face challenges with internet access and those who may be in different time zones).
- Review FAQs about exam scheduling including guidance on synchronous exams and which courses can offer in-person exams.
- Share with your students that on-campus spaces remain available for studying and taking exams.
- Note that the usual policies regarding final exams remain in effect.
Honorlock Update and Resources
- Feature update: The “Exam Pause” feature in Honorlock has been turned off at the campus level to improve students’ experience. When instructors opted to require the use of a webcam for an exam, this feature paused the exam when a student’s face could not be detected in the webcam frame. The “Exam Pause” feature is no longer enabled when students use a webcam to take an exam in Honorlock. Review Honorlock FAQs.
- Attend a campus Honorlock training on April 7 or 21.
- Review how to successfully use Honorlock for remote exams, which outlines support resources, best practices and set-up requirements.
- Review what to communicate to your students when using Honorlock, which includes six key points to convey to students, plus a pre-exam student checklist.
From conversations with many of you and from our recently completed instructor survey — and from my own experience — I know that our community continues to face a variety of personal and professional challenges. Many of you are experiencing increased stress and workload, and you’re devoting more time to teaching than ever before. Campus resources are available if you need support including the Employee Assistance Office, your local human resources representatives and Instructional Continuity.
I deeply appreciate your continued dedication, commitment and hard work.
John Zumbrunnen – Vice Provost for Teaching and Learning