We, the undersigned students of Herzing University, respectfully submit this petition to voice our serious concerns about the current reliance on ProctorU as the primary exam proctoring platform.

While we acknowledge and support the importance of academic integrity and secure testing environments, we strongly believe that the existing system does not consistently protect the rights and success of students. ProctorU’s recurring technical failures, monitoring practices, and lack of fair backup options have negatively impacted many students’ academic performance and well-being.

As tuition-paying students who are committed to succeeding in our programs, we deserve a testing environment that is fair, reliable, and accessible.

 
Main Concerns
Technical Failures

Students often encounter login errors, disconnections, and software malfunctions that prevent exams from starting or continuing.
These issues are beyond the student’s control but result in missed or incomplete exams.
Unfair Academic Penalties

When ProctorU fails, students are frequently marked as “no-shows” or accused of misconduct, even though they were present and attempting to follow all instructions.
Appeals regarding these situations are often denied, leaving students unfairly penalized for system errors.
Invasive and Distracting Monitoring

Proctors have interrupted students multiple times for normal actions such as adjusting glasses, moving hands, or shifting in a chair.
This excessive surveillance increases test anxiety and distracts students during high-stakes exams.
Lack of Backup Solutions

If ProctorU fails, students are left with no clear backup plan.
In many cases, missed exams cannot be rescheduled, resulting in irreversible academic damage despite students’ best efforts.
Student Well-Being

The stress created by repeated technical issues and constant surveillance negatively affects students’ confidence and performance.
Instead of focusing on demonstrating knowledge, students worry about whether the platform will allow them to finish their test.
 
Our Requests
We are not asking for lower academic standards. We are asking for fair, consistent, and reliable access to our exams. To ensure this, we respectfully request that Herzing University consider one or more of the following solutions:

1. Alternative Proctoring Options
Provide students with a choice between ProctorU and alternative methods such as Respondus LockDown Browser, ExamSoft, Honorlock, or Proctorio.
 faculty-led Zoom proctoring as alternatives for those who prefer them.
2. Backup and Fail-Safe Policies
Guarantee automatic rescheduling of exams if ProctorU fails to function properly.
Implement a “technical failure amnesty” policy ensuring that students cannot fail an exam solely because of login errors, disconnections, or technical breakdowns.
3. Improved Support
Establish a dedicated Herzing IT support line available during all exam hours to assist students in real time.
Publish a clear written policy with step-by-step instructions for what students should do if ProctorU fails, so expectations are consistent and transparent.
4. Transparency and Accountability
Require ProctorU to provide official written error reports when students encounter login or exam failures.
Collect and share statistics on ProctorU’s failures and complaints with students and faculty, so the university community is aware of the scope of the problem.
5. Long-Term Review
Evaluate the continued use of ProctorU against student outcomes, satisfaction, and reliability.
If failures remain frequent, begin transitioning to alternative exam proctoring solutions.
 
Call to Action
We, the students of Herzing University, urge the administration to:

Acknowledge these concerns and open dialogue with students,
Review ProctorU’s performance compared to alternatives, and
Adopt concrete solutions that protect student success while upholding academic integrity.
Taking action on this issue will not only protect current students but will also strengthen Herzing University’s reputation as a student-centered institution committed to fairness and excellence.