Based on the United States Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA), Public Law 110-315, MSCHE requires all institutions to assure the integrity of its online offerings.
Ensure Student Identity Verification
All of Bergen Community College’s distance education courses and online programs use a secure login and pass code to verify student identification. Identity verification begins when a student applies for admission to the institution and enrolls in a distance education course. Every student is assigned a unique username and password to log in to the college’s Portal system and is required to set up multi-factor authentication. The unique set of credentials is known to the student, who is instructed to keep the password private. Students access our course management system using their unique credentials. Data transmission of login information is secured using standard encryption technology. For information visit Portal help web page.
The Office of Information Technology’s Help Desk is responsible for consistent application of student identity verification procedures. Students can request a change of learning management system password by contacting the Help Desk staff. A student requesting a change of password is asked to provide personally identifiable information such as college ID#, Date of Birth, the last four digits of their social security number, or other similar information. Students can reset their password on their own by clicking Forgot my password from the login page.
In addition, many Bergen Community College professors use remote and live proctoring solutions in their online courses. To help confirm the identity of the student the instructor can require a picture and/or Photo ID of the student to be taken before opening the exam. The proctoring solution goes through the environment scan and records students during the duration of the exam and flags (if necessary) any compromised identity.
Students who require assistance such as a reader/scribe, certain forms of AT or timed/stop the clock breaks for online courses, can schedule an appointment to complete exams on campus with accommodated testing staff. The testing staff from the Office of Specialized Services use photo IDs to verify the identity of all accommodated test takers.
Protection of Privacy
The privacy of students who enroll in online courses is protected under the College’s policies regarding student privacy and confidentiality, and FERPA rules.
Charges for Student Identity Verification
Bergen Community College does not charge a fee for student identity verification.
For the identity verification process students are responsible for providing complete and true information in accordance with Student Code of Conduct handbook (Page#8, B.5) and requirements listed in their course syllabus.