On Tuesday, June 23rd the students of Medical Microbiology- BIOL 2905 were informed that our final exam (worth 50%), would have to be completed using a newly introduced proctoring service by the name of Proctortrack. Not only is this service truly invasive, it puts all it's users at risk for identity theft through both computer hacking or data breaches and therefore, we are petitioning against the use of this service for the final exam. 

According to Proctortrack's terms and conditions, it is stated that information being collected are "including, but not limited to, driver’s license number or state-issued identification card number, financial account number, credit card number, or debit card number with or without any required security code, access code, personal identification number or password, that would permit access to an individual’s financial account". Furthermore, the information being obtained is stored for 365 days which leaves us in constant worry. 

When we enrolled at York University, we dispersed our funds and consented to our information being obtained solely to the York University institution. We were not aware that we would have to provide third-parties with crucial information which may put us at risk for identify theft amongst many other tragedies. Many of us have not made use of the Proctortrack service and are not familiar with the security guidelines they have. 

On May 2nd 2020, York University fell victim to a major cyber incident which affected numerous servers and workstations. This further proves that although the school takes all measures necessary to protect their students, data breaches are inevitable. Furthermore, there was an incident at York University where students' data were processed through US based servers as opposed to the intended Canadian Servers which was due to a configuration error. 

This is extremely alarming and it adds to the current stress that we are experiencing through an ongoing pandemic. 

The use of a proctoring service requires students to have a functioning device with a built-in camera or a separate webcam. Many students do not have access to this which would require them not only leave their homes to purchase this, but this requirement also puts them at a greater risk of contracting COVID-19. This is a further violation of the Ontario Provincial Quarantine Laws which have been enforced to protect the public. 

The students of BIOL 2905 believe that the use of Proctortrack there is more risks associated rather than benefits. 

Many of us suffer from extreme anxiety while taking any form of examination and having a camera on us, recording every move, further adds to this anxiety which would negatively affect our grade. 

To add to the anxiety and stress, it should be brought to your attention that many of us students live in shared households. Many do not have access to an enclosed area which puts us at a higher risk to be suspected for cheating if there are any instances of background noises or interferences. 

The use of this service also restricts us from taking exams in our own comfort. For example, we have been made aware that you are restricted from looking away from the screen. While taking an exam, in-class or online, it is almost impossible to stare at either a page or screen for a prolonged period of time. None of us want to put our grade at risk just because our eyes have wandered off the screen which can be due to numerous health concerns or natural human behaviour traits. 

With the use of any software, the risk of system errors are possible. Our time is already quite limited and if a glitch occurs, we will be focused on repairing the issue rather than completing our exam in a timely and accurate manner. 

We do understand that it is necessary to ensure that all students are complying with the Academic Honesty Act at York University but there are multiple solutions which are not as invasive as video use through Proctortrack. For example, "window blocking" is a possible solution as it prevents students from leaving the exam page. Our professor has put a rule in effect with disables students from going back and forth between questions which can also be utilized for the final exam. 

It has also been brought to our attention that the online final exam for BIOL 2905 in the Winter term of 2019-2020, was not proctored which is quite unfair as their scores will reflect higher averages due to a lower level of stress and anxiety which may be induced by the use of a proctoring service. 

Lastly, as of June 8th 2020, students are no longer able to withdraw from the course with any form of refund. Many of us are unable to lose the money invested in this course as we are already financially burdened with daily living expenses. Also, there is a wide variety of us student who have lost our sources of income due COVID-19 which makes us hold a higher appreciation for our money and a more concerned manner of spending. Dropping the course and losing the money invested would simply an unfair loss. 

As many of us students are experiencing a difficult time living through these uncertainties, we hope that our concerns are addressed which may risk our safety, privacy and subject many of us to possible racial discrimination. We as students of York university should feel secure during the academic assessments. But rather now instead of only worrying about how our academic success we are worrying about our state of privacy and security.