The United States Federal Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA), Public Law 110-315 requires Dutchess Community College put processes in place through which we establish that the student who registers in an online course is the same student who participates in and completes the course and receives the academic credit.

 

Dutchess Community College fulfills this requirement by restricting student access to online courses through the college portal which requires a secure login and password. Many of the online courses also require that students take their exams in a proctored environment.

 

Identity Verification

 

The verification of a student's identity begins at the time of admission or initial course registration. Procedures related to student identity verification include registration, advising and transcript procedures as well as generation of a unique Banner id for each student. When a student is initially registered, a unique login and password is created that provides access to the secure college intranet (myDCC) and that information is mailed to the student. If a student does not receive or misplaces this information, they are required to bring photo identification to the Registrar's Office or the IT Help Desk. Student access to the course management system is through myDCC and requires the use of this login and password. Data transmission of login information is secured using standard encryption technology. Students are given information regarding best practices related to setting up and maintaining the security of the passwords on the myDCC login screen.

 

When a student first logs in, they are prompted to set up security questions that allow them to retrieve their password if they forget it. Student who cannot retrieve their password electronically may contact the DCC Help Desk for assistance. Personally identifiable information collected by the College may be used, at the discretion of the institution, as the basis for identity verification. For instance, a student requesting that their myDCC login password be reset may be asked to provide two or more pieces of information for comparison with data in our records.

 

Student Responsibility

 

The Code of Conduct in the Dutchess Community College Student Rights and Responsibilities Handbook specifically prohibits all forms of cheating, plagiarism and academic dishonesty. The policy also proscribes any misuse of college computer resources such as to "knowingly gain access to or use DCC computing or internal or external communications facilities to which legitimate authorization has not been granted".

 

Students are responsible for maintaining the security of usernames, passwords and any other access credentials assigned to them. This information may not be shared or given to anyone other than the person to whom they were assigned. Users are responsible for any and all use of their account. DCC recommends that all users change their password when necessary to maintain security. Users are held responsible for knowledge of the information contained within the most recent DCC catalog as well as the DCC Student Handbook. Failure to read and comply with college guidelines, requirements and regulations will not exempt users from responsibility.