Student Identity Verification in Distance Education

Secure Username and Password: All students who enroll at Lebanon Valley College are provided with a secure username and password. A letter containing the student’s username and password is either distributed directly to the student at an orientation session or mailed to their home address.

Passwords must be at least eight characters in length; contain at least one alphabetic and one numeric character; be different from the last five passwords; and not be easily guessable (license plate, telephone number, birthday, etc.). Users are required to change their passwords at least every 180 days (more frequently for some users), and are encouraged to change their password more frequently, and should immediately do so if the password may have been compromised. Users who have forgotten their password or allowed it to expire may reset their password through a secure website. The generated password is random and follows the password characteristics guidelines described above.

Users are held responsible for all activities associated with their accounts. Upon using his or her LVC username and password for the first time, a user agrees to the College’s Password Policy.

Lebanon Valley College uses Canvas as its learning management system. The Canvas system integrates with College authentication services to ensure appropriate and secure student access to courses and other Student Information Systems. All users of the College’s learning management system are responsible for maintaining the security of passwords, or any other access credentials as required.

Attempting to discover another user’s password or attempts to gain unauthorized access to another person’s files or email is prohibited.

Verification of Identity: Students are responsible for providing their complete and true identity information in any identification verification process. It is against College policy for a user to give someone his or her password or to allow others to use his or her account.

In order to verify the identity of students attending class, the College’s Student Information System provides instructors access to class rosters that includes student photos associated with their name and account. In addition, Lebanon Valley College provides technology for live audio and video interactions in distance learning courses and faculty are strongly encouraged to use these technologies as part of their distance education courses.

In the event that an exam for a distance course must be proctored, the instructor is required to make arrangements in advance with students. These arrangements must include advance notification of any fees associated with proctoring.

All users of the College’s learning management systems are responsible for maintaining the security of usernames, passwords and any other access credentials assigned.  Access credentials may not be shared or given to anyone other than the user to whom they were assigned to for any reason.  Users are responsible for any and all uses of their account.  Users are responsible for changing passwords periodically to maintain security. Users are held responsible for knowledge of the information contained within the most recent College Catalog as well as the Student Handbook.  Failure to read College guidelines, requirements and regulations will not exempt users from responsibility.

Students are responsible for providing complete and true information about themselves in any identity verification process, in accordance with the Student Conduct Code.

Faculty teaching courses through distance education methods hold primary responsibility for ensuring that their individual courses comply with the provisions of this policy.  Faculty are responsible for informing the Director of Information Technology of any new technologies being used to verify student identity, so that published information on student privacy can be maintained appropriately, and so that the college can coordinate resources and services efficiently. Because technology and personal accountability may not verify identity absolutely or ensure academic integrity completely, faculty are encouraged, when feasible and pedagogically sound, to design courses that employ assignments and evaluations unique to the course and that support academic integrity.

Chairs and directors of college‐level units are responsible for ensuring that faculty are aware of this policy and comply with its provisions. Chairs and directors are also responsible for ensuring that academic awards and degree programs within their units comply with the provisions of this policy.

The Office of the Vice President of Academic Affairs is responsible for ensuring college‐wide compliance with the provisions of this policy and that chairs and directors are informed of any changes in a timely fashion. The Office of the Vice President of Academic Affairs is responsible for publishing college‐wide information on how identity verification processes protect student privacy. The Office of the Vice President of Academic Affairs is also responsible for coordinating and promoting efficient use of college resources and services, and for ensuring that college-level processes (e.g., admissions or registration) also remain in compliance with this policy.