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Teaching Resources from the Remote 2.0 Committee: Policies, Syllabus Language and Statements

Curated resources for faculty reviewed by members of the Remote 2.0 subcommittee.

Overview

ASC has researched the policy on recording classes. Please keep this policy in mind.

In addition, faculty and staff at the College have been kind enough to share some language for syllabuses customized for the fall term's unusual situation. Feel free to use or adapt these statements as needed for your own syllabuses.

Policy on Recording Classes (ASC)

Pennsylvania is a two-party consent state, meaning that the consent of all parties is required prior to recording conversation.

Instructors wishing to record class sessions to make them available to students for remote learning may do so with the consent of all participants; such consent can be obtained prior to entry on Zoom and Teams using the settings for the meeting or through other means appropriate to the technology in the course (students who do not wish to be recorded should be offered the opportunity to opt out and an equitable alternate means of participation in the course).

Federal law also protects students’ reasonable expectation of privacy. Consequently, recordings of course meetings involving student participation should be shared only with students currently enrolled in the course.

Thus,

  • Instructors may post recordings from courses but must ensure that such recordings are accessible only to current participants.
  • Recordings should be removed soon after the completion of the semester.
  • Students and visitors may not create or share recordings of class sessions without the express permission of their instructors and any participants whose images, voices, or intellectual work product will be recorded.
  • Students with disability-related accommodations may record their instructor if they and the instructor have signed DSS contracts agreeing to the terms of the recordings; the contract stipulates that students may not record other students.
  • Student violations of this policy may result in academic penalties imposed by the instructor, and/or discipline under the Offices of Academic Affairs and Student life. (Instructors who plan to impose specific penalties may also wish to include them on the course syllabus.)

Statements on Intellectual Property, Recording

At the request of some members of the faculty, we have collected statements to share our current layperson’s understanding of an evolving field of educational policy in an effort to help faculty members make a good-faith effort to record and share course sessions in an ethical manner. We are not experts, and these sample statements should not preclude seeking actual legal advice for any faculty member on these questions or for the faculty as a whole.

To aid in remote learning, some or all class sessions may be recorded by the instructor of this course for use by current course participants. By appearing in recorded class sessions, you grant consent to such recording and usage; you may opt out by emailing your instructor and requesting to participate via alternate means. Under federal privacy law (FERPA) and Pennsylvania law, recordings may not be made by students or visitors or shared with non-participants without the express consent of all parties whose images, voices, or intellectual work or products are contained in the recording. Violations of this policy may result in academic penalties (such as grade reduction or course failure) imposed by the course instructor and/or discipline by the Offices of Academic Affairs and Student Life.

Statement crafted by the Academic Status Committee of W&J.

Please note that recorded lectures and discussions may be used only for educational purposes and only by students enrolled in XXXXX in Fall 2020. Sharing of these recordings with organizations outside the college or individuals not enrolled in the course or the public posting of these recordings (such as on Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, etc.) is strictly prohibited. Any infraction will be considered a violation of the Academic Honesty Policy and subject to the penalties for academic misconduct.

Recording and/or photography are not permitted in classroom or lab spaces without the explicit permission of all present, including the instructor. Restrictions on recording class sessions also apply when class takes place online. The instructor will make clear when class sessions are being recorded to be available for future use. Any video content or recordings of class sessions may only be accessed for your individual use and may not be shared with others, posted online, or distributed in any way. Any violation of this policy will result in failure of the course and will be pursued as a case of academic misconduct.

Thanks to Dr. DeBerry and Dr. Holland-Minkley for models.

Sample Statement to Send Students about Recording

Many faculty (myself included) are planning to record synchronous class activities like video conferences and post links to the recordings on Sakai. This is to ensure that access to the material for all students, especially students who were unable to connect or attend for whatever reason, is as equitable as possible under the current pandemic conditions.

We do realize that students must give their consent to be recorded and that there are diverse reasons that someone may need to protect their privacy and therefore not want to appear, or have their name, photo, and/or voice appear, in a recording of class activities.

As course instructor, what I can and will do is store all recordings of synchronous lecture, Q&A, and laboratory meetings such that only students enrolled in the current class can access the recordings, through links posted on the course site on Sakai. However, I cannot guarantee that these methods are adequate to protect student privacy or that personally identifying information in the recordings will be completely restricted to students enrolled in the course.

If a student wishes to further protect their privacy by not being identified in the recordings, there are multiple means by which they can opt out of appearing in a class session and still participate in that session.

Zoom automatically informs all participants in Zoom meetings when a recording is starting. For participants joining by computer or mobile device, the screen will display a recording notification. For participants joining by audio by phone, they will hear an audio prompt when they first join the meeting if it is already being recorded or at the time that recording is started.

  • As a student, you have the option to leave the Zoom meeting.
  • You can also turn off your video, mute your microphone, or both. (You may also turn your video back on or unmute your microphone at a later time.)
  • Another means by which to protect your privacy in Zoom meetings is to change your name and/or your photo in your Zoom profile.

All persons attending a Zoom meeting can still be active participants and contribute by typing comments or questions into chat.

Thanks to Dr. DeBerry for this model.

Statement on Masks

All are required to wear masks in the classrooms and other learning spaces. If you are unable to wear a mask for medical reasons, submit documentation of your disability. The College will offer accommodation in the form of remote learning.

Statements on Student Health & Counseling

As a college student, there may be times when personal stressors interfere with your academic performance and/or negatively impact your daily life. If you or someone you know is experiencing mental health challenges at W&J, please contact Student Health & Counseling at 724-223-6107. The services are free and confidential. In a crisis situation or after hours, contact Campus Safety at 724-223-6032 and ask for the psychologist on-call or call the Washington County Crisis Line at 877-225-3567. Tele-health counseling services are available to all W&J students: those studying remotely, commuters, and students in residence.

As a student, you may experience a range of issues that can cause barriers to learning or reduce your ability to participate in daily activities. These might include strained relationships, anxiety, high levels of stress, alcohol/drug problems, feeling down, health concerns, or unwanted sexual experiences. Student Health & Counseling can help with these or other issues. You learn can more about these programs and services by calling 724-223-6107 or going to www.washjeff.edu/student-life/student-health-and-counseling-center, where you can schedule an appointment online. Tele-health counseling services are available to all W&J students: those studying remotely, commuters, and students in residence.

During the semester, if you find that health problems, life stressors, or emotional difficulties are interfering with your academic or personal success, and you are finding it difficult to cope or to complete your academic work, please consider contacting Student Health & Counseling at 724-223-6107. Healthcare services, crisis intervention, time-limited individual counseling, and group therapies are free of charge and are strictly confidential, having nothing to do with your educational records.You can make an appointment or get more information at https://www.washjeff.edu/student-life/student-health-and-counseling-center. If your medical or mental health condition requires ongoing academic accommodations, please register with Richard Barber at Academic Services and provide me with a copy of your accommodation letter. Tele-health and academic counseling services are available to all W&J students: those studying remotely, commuters, and students in residence.

Student Health and Counseling provides free, confidential individual counseling, group counseling, emergency psychological services, and outreach programming. You learn can more about these programs and services by calling 724-223-6107 or going to www.washjeff.edu/student-life/student-health-and-counseling-center, where you can schedule an appointment online. For after-hours emergency consultations, call Campus and Public Safety at 724-223-6032 and ask to speak to the psychologist on call. Tele-health counseling services are available to all W&J students: those studying remotely, commuters, and students in residence.

Thanks to SH&C for sample statements.

Statement on Disability Services

Disability Support Services arranges academic accommodations within the framework of the W&J curriculum for students with physical or mental impairments that meet the definition under the Americans with Disabilities Act. Students who plan to request accommodation should contact the director of academic success (Mr. Richard Barber) as early as possible, although requests may be made at any time. Office location: Clark Library 003; telephone: 724-223-6008; email: dss@washjeff.edu. Services are available to all W&J students: those studying remotely, commuters, and students in residence.

Academic Honesty

The College's policy on Academic honesty can be found here: https://wiki.washjeff.edu/display/CATALOG2019/Academic+Honesty+Policy