We, the undersigned students of The University of the West Indies Global Campus (UWI-GC), respectfully petition the administration to reconsider the sudden and mandatory implementation of Respondus LockDown Browser and Respondus Monitor for online assessments.

1. Lack of Consultation and Transparency

One of the core concerns is the absence of full student consultation prior to the implementation of this proctoring software. There was no broad outreach to students to assess feasibility, readiness, or to explain the implications — technological, academic, and personal.

This approach is inconsistent with the UWI Code of Principles and Responsibilities for Students, which emphasizes transparency, fairness, and engagement in academic processes. It also disregards the UWI-GC identity as a student-centered, accessible institution — one chosen by many of us specifically because of its flexibility.

2. Inadequate and Impractical “Alternatives”

The suggested option of completing assessments in-person during campus hours is not a viable solution for the majority of UWI-GC students, especially those who:

1.Work full-time and cannot leave their jobs during standard working hours.
2.Live in countries where no UWI physical campus exists.
3.Have caregiving responsibilities or financial constraints that make travel difficult.
4.Are studying abroad or in remote areas where in-person options are completely inaccessible.

This option does not preserve accessibility; it replaces one obstacle with another.

3. Equity and Accessibility Challenges

The mandatory use of Respondus imposes strict and inflexible requirements that not all students can meet:

1.A private, distraction-free environment for testing.
2.A functioning webcam and microphone.
3.A strong, stable internet connection.
4.A compatible operating system or device.

These requirements put students from low-income households, crowded living environments, or rural areas at a distinct disadvantage, contradicting UWI’s mission of equity in education.

4. Privacy and Data Protection Concerns

Respondus Monitor collects and transmits real-time audio and video data to external servers. This raises serious privacy and data security issues, especially for students located in jurisdictions with strict data protection laws, such as:Jamaica’s Data Protection Act (2020),Barbados Data Protection Act, European Union’s GDPR, for students residing or studying in Europe

Students were not explicitly informed during enrollment that such intrusive third-party monitoring software would be a requirement, and no clear privacy policy or opt-out provision has been communicated. This lack of transparency may be inconsistent with UWI’s obligations to safeguard student data and obtain informed consent.

5. Mental Health and Learning Environment Considerations

High-surveillance exam settings can increase anxiety and stress, especially when students are being recorded continuously or flagged by AI for innocuous movements. This creates a hostile and high-pressure exam environment that does not reflect the kind of supportive academic space UWI-GC aims to provide.

6. We Are Not Opposed to Academic Integrity — We Are Asking for Sensible Implementation

We acknowledge the importance of academic integrity and secure assessment practices. However, these practices must not come at the cost of:

1. Student dignity and mental well-being
2. Access to education
3. Fairness and equal opportunity

We are simply asking for time and consideration.

What We Are Requesting

We respectfully ask that UWI-GC:

1. Pause the mandatory use of Respondus for the current semester and allow for a grace period.
2. Engage in a proper consultation process with students, staff, and relevant academic boards before permanent implementation.
3. Explore flexible and inclusive alternatives, including open-book assessments, time-limited submissions, or Zoom-supervised oral defenses.
4. Ensure full disclosure of data policies, storage duration, third-party involvement, and consent procedures before requiring invasive surveillance software.

This is not about defiance — it’s about fairness, foresight, and protecting the values UWI-GC was built on. We believe in this institution and its mission. That’s why we enrolled. Now, we’re simply asking that UWI-GC lead with transparency, empathy, and integrity — especially when the decisions affect our academic success and personal well-being.

Let’s move forward with fairness. With flexibility. With dialogue.

Respectfully,

The Undersigned Students of The University of the West Indies Global Campus