Policy Number: I-90
Last Reviewed: July 30, 2026
Responsible Dept.: Vice President of Academic & Workforce Solutions
A signed copy of this policy is available in the President’s Office.
Purpose
Virginia Western Community College is committed to providing students with appropriate access to course assessments while meeting applicable requirements for student identity verification, academic integrity, and assessment security.
This policy establishes requirements for assessments in asynchronous online courses and sections, including student identity verification and use of alternative proctoring locations.
Scope
This policy applies to all asynchronous online courses and sections, with the exception of courses where an industry credential exam is used and the credentialing agency requires that the exam be proctored in person.
Definitions
Asynchronous course or section
An online course or section in which students are not required to participate in regularly scheduled class meetings at a particular time or physical location. Virginia Western course section numbers identify these as “v” sections.
Assessment
Any graded or required activity used to evaluate student learning, including examinations, tests, quizzes, assignments, presentations, demonstrations, projects, and other measures of student achievement.
Identity verification
A college-approved process used to confirm that the student who registers for an online course is the same student who participates in and completes the course.
Proctored activity
A required academic activity completed under the supervision of an approved individual or college-approved online proctoring service. The proctor or service verifies the student’s identity and administers the activity in accordance with requirements established by the instructor and the college.
Approved alternative proctoring location
A location and proctor approved by the course instructor to administer a proctored activity in accordance with college procedures and the requirements of the assessment.
Assessments in Asynchronous Courses
According to VCCS Policy 5.6.10 students enrolled in an asynchronous online (v-section), course or section must be allowed to complete all course assessments asynchronously without the expectation that they come to the Virginia Western campus or any other physical location.
Faculty may establish reasonable assessment availability periods, deadlines, time limits, technology requirements, and academic-integrity measures, provided those requirements do not require the student to report to a physical location.
Student Choice for Proctored Activities
When a proctored activity is required in an asynchronous online course or section, the student must be provided with the following options:
- A college-approved online proctor or proctoring service;
- The Virginia Western Testing Center; or
- An alternative proctoring location approved by the course instructor.
The student may select the option that best meets the student’s needs, provided the student follows established scheduling, approval, identification, technology, and testing procedures.
Alternative Proctoring Locations
Students may choose to complete a required proctored activity at an alternative proctoring location, subject to prior approval by the course instructor.
Students must request approval using the college-established process. The instructor has final approval of the proposed proctor and location based on the academic, security, and administrative requirements of the assessment.
Students are responsible for complying with established procedures and for any fees charged by the alternative proctoring location.
Online Student Identity Verification
Each online asynchronous course must include at least one college-approved process for verifying student identity.
The identity-verification requirement may be satisfied through:
- The college-approved standalone identity-verification assignment;
- Identity verification completed as part of an assessment administered through a college-approved online proctoring service;
- Identity verification conducted by a Virginia Western Testing Center or instructor-approved alternative proctor; or
- Another method approved by the college.
When an approved identity-verification process is incorporated into a required course assessment or activity, the separate standalone identity-verification assignment is not required.
Students who do not complete an identity-verification process will not receive credit or a grade for the course.
Faculty may not substitute an identity-verification method that has not been approved by the college.
Syllabus Disclosure of Identity-Verification Requirements
The course syllabus must identify the identity-verification method used in the course and explain:
- The requirement for completing identity verification;
- The process and deadline for completing it;
- Any required identification, technology, or testing arrangements;
- Any potential student costs associated with the method; and
- The consequences of failing to complete the requirement.
Required identity-verification language will be maintained by the college and included in course syllabi through the college-approved syllabus management system. Faculty must select the syllabus statement that corresponds to the identity-verification method used in the course.
Technology Requirements and Disclosure
Students enrolling in online courses are expected to have reliable access to technology that meets the college’s minimum requirements, including a computer, webcam, microphone, and high-speed internet access. Students are responsible for reviewing these requirements before enrolling. General technology requirements for online courses are published in the course schedule and on the college’s Computer Access Expectations web page.
Courses or programs that require technology, software, equipment, or services beyond the college’s general online-course requirements must disclose those additional requirements in the course schedule, syllabus, or another college-approved location.
Fees and Additional Student Charges
Any projected additional student charge associated with identity verification, online proctoring, or an alternative proctoring location must be disclosed in writing at the time of registration or enrollment, as required by applicable federal, VCCS, and college requirements.
Students may not be required to purchase or use a particular proctoring option when another option permitted under this policy is available.
Students who voluntarily select an alternative proctoring location may be responsible for fees charged by that location, provided that a no-cost option permitted under this policy is available.
Academic Integrity and Privacy
Proctored activities and identity-verification processes must be administered in accordance with the college’s academic integrity, information-security, privacy, records-management, and technology-use policies.
Information collected for identity verification or proctoring may be used only for authorized educational and administrative purposes.
Faculty and staff may not retain copies of student identification documents unless retention is specifically authorized by an approved college procedure.
Reviewed/Revised: 7/2026
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