A Professor's Threat: Cameras during Testing Situations
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4p Posted by u/throwawayaccount666_ 1 year ago =]
16 Professor threatening failure to students who don't get on camera during
a test.
I understand professors’ fears of their students cheating on exams due to distance learning, I really
do, but one of my professors is being super irrational with her approach to combatting cheating. She
basically wants us to get on camera during the exam but that's not only ineffective but it's also a huge
breach of privacy. Can a professor actually take action against students for not getting on camera?
What if a student doesn't own a camera or doesn't want their family to appear on camera. Every other
student can see what's happening on your end btw.
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=) TestAnnihilatorAshar 1 year ago
Which class is this for? Ik some students in my calc class didn’t have the webcam and my teacher
let them take the test without it
* 9 } GiveAward Share Report Save
Ss) throwawayaccount666__ - 1 year ago
It's for a CS class. She did this on the first test as well but a lot of students didn't get on camera,
but now she's saying (for all students but especially those) she'll consider not grading their tests
if they don't get on camera. I have other professors that have been historically strict on cheating
and they're not doing anything like this because they understand it's not practical.
4% 7 § GiveAward Share Report Save
ey) SoftInfOrmation 1 year ago
As shitty as it might be, your professor might be able to force this if they give you sufficient time
to prepare.
Most plans had to be okayed from the Dean, so the requirement has already been approved.
Typically instructors can give exam in any fashion that they want (as long as it fits distance
learning criteria's) and they give you sufficient time to prepare.
Again I think it's a super shitty thing to force, but if your question is CAN they fail you for not
complying with the exam rules (which includes required video recording)? The answer is likely yes.
I would compare it to a teacher forcing all students to submit a video essay assignment, as long
as all students have the right technology, it's "legal".
What if a student doesn't own a camera
CUNY has been offering laptop loaners for all students, which defeats this argument. If your
professor announced that exams would be recorded and you don't have the right
technology you should have requested a loaner during re-calibration period.
https://www.cuny.edu/cuny-continuity/cuny-continuity-for-students/#queens
or doesn't want their family to appear on camera
You're gonna have to embarrassed like the rest of us, when our moms interrupt our virtual
classes with some fruit.
A lot of other students have it way worse honestly, being forced to use a lockdown browser
which, prevents you from opening new tabs and also takes over your webcam.
I would email your professor regarding your concerns. If you want to fight this, privacy would be
the angle I would take.
4 2 } GiveAward Share Report Save
Guarionex_ 1 year ago
If you don't have a camera or can't record yourself for a legitimate reason, then just email your
prof. I'm sure she'll understand if your motives are valid.
4 2 } GiveAward Share Report Save
glamrosey 1 year ago
My best advice is to go to "chnge.org" and make a petition abut this issue and have students sign
it. I do feel it's a breach of privacy like say students don't feel like showing their home
environment and that's their right. I feel that professors can get sued in this kind of case since it's
your saying "if you don't do this, I won't grade your exam"
* 3 4% GiveAward Share Report Save
ghost_of_anansi 1. year ago
Contact the Provost's office.
4 2 } GiveAward Share Report Save
S Dant2k 1 year ago
Out of curiosity, what id you owned a computer thay cant handle off of that processing?
4% 1 § GiveAward Share Report Save
eo Knhittel 1 year ago
A lot of online classes require you to be on camera for a test. It's to make sure you are not
cheating and that it's actually you taking the test. I don't see why she couldn't fail you as long as
you were given notice that this would be a requirement. If you are actually that uncomfortable
with it, you may be able to postpone your test until it can be taken in person, but that would mean
having to wait on a final grade. I'm not sure how this would be handled though since that is only
done in extreme circumstances. You would probably have to have a REALLY good reason as to
why you couldn't take the test on camera. I don't think simply saying your uncomfortable with it
will cut it.
4 1 4 GiveAward Share Report Save
S) throwawayaccount666_ “© 1 year ago
I don't think most professors would humor such a request during this crisis if that's even
possible in the first place. It's pointless to enforce such a thing unless everyone has a flexible
webcam or phone that's capable of being propped up on some kind of tripod/mount so that
you, your hands, and computer screens are on camera. Otherwise, students will be able to cheat
anyway.
4 1 GiveAward Share Report Save
a) SoftInfOrmation 1 year ago
Nothing is gonna be bulletproof,
That doesn't mean, they shouldn't even bother. Each additional security measure can be
circumvented with enough preperation, but reduces the number of students who cheat by
some factor because it's a lot more work. At some point it's easier to just study then cheat
and this is what the instructors aim for.
Everyone take some amount of collateral damage in inconvenience, but it's made up for with
amore honest curve. There's no worse feeling than being the only person performing poorly
because everyone else cheated and ruined the curve.
&% 1) GiveAward Share Report Save
GoodLifeWorkHard ‘1 year ago
Who the fuck cares? Privacy right my ass. I've taken a math test where they required us to be on
camera. No one cared.
4 -2 § GiveAward Share Report Save
e) throwawayaccount666_ - 1 year ago
I care.
# 2 § GiveAward Share Report Save
€°) GoodLifeWorkHard ‘1 year ago
Why do u actually care? Why does it violate ur right to privacy? U do know that no one is
judging ur home environment they don't care enough during an exam.
2 0 GiveAward Share Report Save
oe, nygdan 11 year ago
Of course they can. People turn off the cameras in order to cheat. It's that simple, camera on or
you're cheating and they'll fail you. It's not a privacy breach, you've decided to join the video
session, you'd be in class in person too.
# -1 Y GiveAward Share Report Save
&) throwawayaccount666_ “© 1 year ago
Well, people can easily cheat while on camera as well. Most people had just their faces on
camera, god knows how many tabs they had open during the test. Hence why I said it's
extremely ineffective.
2 1 GiveAward Share Report Save
© nygdan 11 year ago
So? I didnt say it was a great way to stop cheating.
&% 0 } GiveAward Share Report Save
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Posts
4p Posted by u/throwawayaccount666_ 1 year ago =]
16 Professor threatening failure to students who don't get on camera during
a test.
I understand professors’ fears of their students cheating on exams due to distance learning, I really
do, but one of my professors is being super irrational with her approach to combatting cheating. She
basically wants us to get on camera during the exam but that's not only ineffective but it's also a huge
breach of privacy. Can a professor actually take action against students for not getting on camera?
What if a student doesn't own a camera or doesn't want their family to appear on camera. Every other
student can see what's happening on your end btw.
@ 16Comments Award M Share [J Save Q@Hide M& Report 91% Upvoted
=~ This thread is archived
New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast
SORTBY BEST w
=) TestAnnihilatorAshar 1 year ago
Which class is this for? Ik some students in my calc class didn’t have the webcam and my teacher
let them take the test without it
* 9 } GiveAward Share Report Save
Ss) throwawayaccount666__ - 1 year ago
It's for a CS class. She did this on the first test as well but a lot of students didn't get on camera,
but now she's saying (for all students but especially those) she'll consider not grading their tests
if they don't get on camera. I have other professors that have been historically strict on cheating
and they're not doing anything like this because they understand it's not practical.
4% 7 § GiveAward Share Report Save
ey) SoftInfOrmation 1 year ago
As shitty as it might be, your professor might be able to force this if they give you sufficient time
to prepare.
Most plans had to be okayed from the Dean, so the requirement has already been approved.
Typically instructors can give exam in any fashion that they want (as long as it fits distance
learning criteria's) and they give you sufficient time to prepare.
Again I think it's a super shitty thing to force, but if your question is CAN they fail you for not
complying with the exam rules (which includes required video recording)? The answer is likely yes.
I would compare it to a teacher forcing all students to submit a video essay assignment, as long
as all students have the right technology, it's "legal".
What if a student doesn't own a camera
CUNY has been offering laptop loaners for all students, which defeats this argument. If your
professor announced that exams would be recorded and you don't have the right
technology you should have requested a loaner during re-calibration period.
https://www.cuny.edu/cuny-continuity/cuny-continuity-for-students/#queens
or doesn't want their family to appear on camera
You're gonna have to embarrassed like the rest of us, when our moms interrupt our virtual
classes with some fruit.
A lot of other students have it way worse honestly, being forced to use a lockdown browser
which, prevents you from opening new tabs and also takes over your webcam.
I would email your professor regarding your concerns. If you want to fight this, privacy would be
the angle I would take.
4 2 } GiveAward Share Report Save
Guarionex_ 1 year ago
If you don't have a camera or can't record yourself for a legitimate reason, then just email your
prof. I'm sure she'll understand if your motives are valid.
4 2 } GiveAward Share Report Save
glamrosey 1 year ago
My best advice is to go to "chnge.org" and make a petition abut this issue and have students sign
it. I do feel it's a breach of privacy like say students don't feel like showing their home
environment and that's their right. I feel that professors can get sued in this kind of case since it's
your saying "if you don't do this, I won't grade your exam"
* 3 4% GiveAward Share Report Save
ghost_of_anansi 1. year ago
Contact the Provost's office.
4 2 } GiveAward Share Report Save
S Dant2k 1 year ago
Out of curiosity, what id you owned a computer thay cant handle off of that processing?
4% 1 § GiveAward Share Report Save
eo Knhittel 1 year ago
A lot of online classes require you to be on camera for a test. It's to make sure you are not
cheating and that it's actually you taking the test. I don't see why she couldn't fail you as long as
you were given notice that this would be a requirement. If you are actually that uncomfortable
with it, you may be able to postpone your test until it can be taken in person, but that would mean
having to wait on a final grade. I'm not sure how this would be handled though since that is only
done in extreme circumstances. You would probably have to have a REALLY good reason as to
why you couldn't take the test on camera. I don't think simply saying your uncomfortable with it
will cut it.
4 1 4 GiveAward Share Report Save
S) throwawayaccount666_ “© 1 year ago
I don't think most professors would humor such a request during this crisis if that's even
possible in the first place. It's pointless to enforce such a thing unless everyone has a flexible
webcam or phone that's capable of being propped up on some kind of tripod/mount so that
you, your hands, and computer screens are on camera. Otherwise, students will be able to cheat
anyway.
4 1 GiveAward Share Report Save
a) SoftInfOrmation 1 year ago
Nothing is gonna be bulletproof,
That doesn't mean, they shouldn't even bother. Each additional security measure can be
circumvented with enough preperation, but reduces the number of students who cheat by
some factor because it's a lot more work. At some point it's easier to just study then cheat
and this is what the instructors aim for.
Everyone take some amount of collateral damage in inconvenience, but it's made up for with
amore honest curve. There's no worse feeling than being the only person performing poorly
because everyone else cheated and ruined the curve.
&% 1) GiveAward Share Report Save
GoodLifeWorkHard ‘1 year ago
Who the fuck cares? Privacy right my ass. I've taken a math test where they required us to be on
camera. No one cared.
4 -2 § GiveAward Share Report Save
e) throwawayaccount666_ - 1 year ago
I care.
# 2 § GiveAward Share Report Save
€°) GoodLifeWorkHard ‘1 year ago
Why do u actually care? Why does it violate ur right to privacy? U do know that no one is
judging ur home environment they don't care enough during an exam.
2 0 GiveAward Share Report Save
oe, nygdan 11 year ago
Of course they can. People turn off the cameras in order to cheat. It's that simple, camera on or
you're cheating and they'll fail you. It's not a privacy breach, you've decided to join the video
session, you'd be in class in person too.
# -1 Y GiveAward Share Report Save
&) throwawayaccount666_ “© 1 year ago
Well, people can easily cheat while on camera as well. Most people had just their faces on
camera, god knows how many tabs they had open during the test. Hence why I said it's
extremely ineffective.
2 1 GiveAward Share Report Save
© nygdan 11 year ago
So? I didnt say it was a great way to stop cheating.
&% 0 } GiveAward Share Report Save
About Community
r/QueensCollege
Subreddit for incoming freshmen,
students, alumni, staff and alike at Queens
College, City University of New York.
1.9k 8
Members Online
€ Created Aug 6, 2011
Create Post
COMMUNITY OPTIONS Vv
r/QueensCollege Rules
<
1. Not Relevant Content
2. Derogatory or Homophobic Content
Moderators
% Message the mods
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TOP POSTS MAY 5TH 2020
TOP POSTS OF MAY, 2020
TOP POSTS 2020
Title
A Professor's Threat: Cameras during Testing Situations
Description
Posted on May 5, 2020, this Reddit posts featured student dialogue around whether or not instructors can viably take action against CUNY students who refused to enable their cameras during testing situations. Responders then negotiated the classroom politics and privacy issues that arose during the shift to distance learning, with professors who insisted that their students show their faces during exams to prevent academic dishonesty.
This item is part of the City University of New York (CUNY) Distance Learning Archive, a group project developed as part of Prof. Matthew K. Gold's Spring 2020 Knowledge Infrastructures seminar in the Ph.D. Program in English at The Graduate Center, CUNY, in partnership with the Interactive Technology and Pedagogy Certificate Program. The project's goal was to resist or trouble the discourse of catastrophe around the shift to online learning caused by the COVID-19 pandemic by documenting the lived experiences of students, faculty, and staff across CUNY's 25 campuses. Further, the project wanted to document the moment of crisis response by taking a critical approach to educational technology.
This item is part of the City University of New York (CUNY) Distance Learning Archive, a group project developed as part of Prof. Matthew K. Gold's Spring 2020 Knowledge Infrastructures seminar in the Ph.D. Program in English at The Graduate Center, CUNY, in partnership with the Interactive Technology and Pedagogy Certificate Program. The project's goal was to resist or trouble the discourse of catastrophe around the shift to online learning caused by the COVID-19 pandemic by documenting the lived experiences of students, faculty, and staff across CUNY's 25 campuses. Further, the project wanted to document the moment of crisis response by taking a critical approach to educational technology.
Creator
Anonymous
Source
CUNY Distance Learning Archive
Publisher
Reddit
Date
May 5, 2020
Rights
Obtained from Contributor - Copyright Unknown
Language
English
uri
https://www.reddit.com/r/QueensCollege/comments/gdsck6/professor_threatening_failure_to_students_who/
Transcription
I understand professors' fears of their students cheating on exams due to distance learning, I really do, but one of my professors is being super irrational with her approach to combatting cheating. She basically wants us to get on camera during the exam but that's not only ineffective but it's also a huge breach of privacy. Can a professor actually take action against students for not getting on camera? What if a student doesn't own a camera or doesn't want their family to appear on camera. Every other student can see what's happening on your end btw.
Anonymous. “A Professor’s Threat: Cameras During Testing Situations”. Reddit. https://www.reddit.com/r/QueensCollege/comments/gdsck6/professor_threatening_failure_to_students_who/, CUNY DIGITAL HISTORY ARCHIVE, accessed March 10, 2026, https://stephenz.tailc22a4b.ts.net/s/cdha/item/1832