Webcam Update

Posted: June 5, 2020

Dear students:

I am writing to confirm that no student will be required to purchase an external webcam to write online exams in Mathematics or Computer Science during the spring/summer/intersession terms. Please note that some courses will require a computer equipped with a webcam (either internal or external) for some assessments.

The university has made this decision given the many questions and concerns students raised about cost availability of webcams, privacy and conflict with the non-tuition fee protocol. Most critically, the availability of webcams (and the cost of those which are available) is a significant issue. The Bookstore and ICT conducted an extensive search for webcams and they determined that it would not be possible to guarantee that every student who needed a webcam would have one.

We all have a shared interest in ensuring that exams and evaluations are conducted with academic integrity. The value of the degrees that you earn depends on having confidence that you have successfully met the learning outcomes for each course completed. The university recognizes that the assessment in a virtual environment raises new challenges that require innovative solutions. As a result, the university will strike a working group on assessment in the online and virtual environment that will include representatives from faculty, students, and university administration. The working group will be tasked with having solutions in place for the Fall term.

Finally, I acknowledge that some of you may have already purchased external webcams in light of the requirement communicated in course syllabi. For those who are unable to return or get a refund, please e-mail vpacademic@wlu.ca.

I wish you all the best for a successful spring and summer term and hope that you are able to find time to enjoy the summer.

Sincerely,

Maureen Mancuso
Interim Provost & Vice-President: Academic