I am currently a sophomore engineering student. I am in math class and have my second exam this Tuesday(4/7). The class received an email Saturday the 4th(3 days before) stating that everyone would be forced to download a third party software(respondus) that would record us through the microphone and camera through the whole duration of the exam. Downloading and installing this software is mandatory to taking the exam. This is also happening in many other classes as well. 

Many students in the class are very bothered and concerned by this. They personally feel very violated by this, and do not feel that it is right whatsoever. An issue that has arisen is that students are not comfortable putting this unknown software on a computer that stores a ton of personal, private information in addition to school work. A computer is not solely a tool for education, and is a tool that Is used for  outside jobs, and personal life. 

In addition students do not feel that it is right for to be recorded during their exams since others may be recorded unintentionally. Students are living and working in a variety of non ideal environments including residing with other people. Parents, roommates, and others are all working from home and do not have the capacity to be completely silent. Students are not able to take the exam in a completely isolated place by themselves, and those that reside with them are concerned they will get recorded going about their normal day. While the student themselves may consent to being recorded, those living with them may not feel comfortable with it happening. 

In addition,  students know that their stress will skyrocket knowing this is happening. Students are already stressed out enough taking my exam in an environment that is not ideal. A lot of students already have severe test anxiety as it is which would only be compounded upon by this issue. This policy adds additional levels of stress to an already immensely stressful, unusual time.  

This protocol does not seem right on both an educational and personal level. There is no UNH policy regarding the use of this software, none of my class syllabi mention the use of it, and it’s use has not been standardized in the slightest. The UNH community believes that the use of this software should not be allowed until UNH Administration has sent out a transparent policy to students, staff and families completely explaining the use of this system on exams, if at all. 

Students as well as faculty were given a week to uproot their whole educational norm and adjust to remote learning. Seeing as UNH already implemented a Pass/Fail system for classes seeing that students have much more added stress, they should see that this new software is completely detrimental to students’ academic well being and mental health.