Is this really true about Columbia Southern?

I just talked to someone at Columbia Southern and they said I can use a friend or a coworker, but not a family member to proctor my tests.

Is this really true? Every school I've been looking at has categorically ruled these people out and wants an official test proctor to conduct your exam.

Anyone know for sure? This sounds to good to be true to me. But I'm still hoping....

 

It depends...with whom did you speak at CSU? Was it someone with authority to give that information? Typically, universities contract with a local school, library or other official entity to provide test proctoring services. If CSU allowed you to select any non-family person as a test proctor, I would not have a very high opinion of the way it operates.

Tony Piña
Northeastern Illinois University

 

Take a look at the proctor certification form:

https://www20.ssldomain.com/columbiasouthern/final_exam_request.html

also from the policy page:

"Examination Procedures
Unit examinations, projects, and/or written assignments will be found within the Study Guides that are sent to students at the beginning of each course of study. These exams, projects and/or written assignments are to be self-administered and forwarded to the University for grading. Unit examinations enable both the university and the student to gauge the student's level of comprehension of the materials presented.

Final examinations are to be proctored. Students will select the individual who will serve as their proctor. Examinations are ideally administered at testing centers found in local High Schools, Trade and Vocational schools, Colleges and Universities. The Proctor shall be a responsible and reputable third party for whom there is no conflict of interest or appearance of impropriety. This necessarily precludes family members or fellow students from serving in this capacity. School officials, counselors, education directors, supervisors, etc. are well suited for this purpose."

Since many of the exams are open book I am not sure what a proctor can actually accomplish other than verifying who is taking the test and the materials used.

I used a Librarian, a training officer at my agency, and a professor from a local university.

 

When I attended CSU I used a local Librarian for a proctor. I was also allowed to use my agency's training coordinator and one of the local college testing centers.

 

A proctor must be someone of some repute. An educator, minister or librarian typically suffice. Not just anyone would do. If anyone WILL do, watch out.

 

Ummm, ask the school. Since no one on this forum represents CSU, this is an odd place to make this inquiry.

You can call them at (800) 977-8449, it's toll free!

 

"Is it true?"

The answer can be "No" or "Yes."

If the answer is "Yes," it says quite a lot about the school, does it not?

If the answer is "No,' one would breathe a huge sigh of relief, won't one?

But ........ "Ummmm, ask the school?"

Let's see...... asking a thief if s/he is a thief is .......... ummmmmmm ......... asking what, exactly? What exactly does that tell you?

Thanks.

 

ok

Guys, I was merely hoping to find someone who may have actually attended recently and could answer the question definitively. Like one person did. I may have spoken to the wrong person at the school.

To Jake, if you bothered to read my post you would have seen I already spoke to someone at the school. That conversation is what prompted this thread because it seemed odd.

 

Pacifica,

I am entirely with you. I did read your post carefully. I surmise that you posted this thread because what the school (or someone at the school) told you did not quite seem or sound right (to you).

That's the point I was making. Some answers are not answers at all, but pointers to more questions, especially if a lax attitude to proctors and proctorship is indicated by one's response.

CSU's attitude - if it is accurately reflected in this staff person's response to you - predisposes me to think that there is much to question about the integrity and rigor of its process.

If true, I, like you, would have much to worry - or at least, think - about. At the very least one could complain (vehemently) to the school's powers-that-be for immediate rectification of said lax practice.

I wish you well.

Thanks.

 

Remember that not everyone is up to snuff on their knowledge of university policy. I'd double check CSU if I were you. This just doesn't sound right.

 

as FED said the exams are open book. It would be more a big deal if it was a closed book exam. That would ring a lot of alarm bells. But seeing that is isnt closed book, and he has all his material in front of him to take the exam, the only function of the proctor is to ensure the exam taker is who he says he is, and keep track of time if there is a time limit.

 

Hello Everyone,

I graduated from CSU in January 2003 with my BSBA and just finished my MBA/Public Administration degree.

As for the proctored exams, look at their website and locate the information about taking the exams at CSU. It's pretty clear cut and standard with many universities.

As someone already said, the exams at CSU are open book and have a time limit of 4 hours. The proctor verifies that the student in fact took the exam(s) and that it was completed in the time alloted.

I never went to a "testing center" to complete my finals. I made arrangments with my proctor with a date, time and place to complete the exam(s). The proctor had to be pre-approved by CSU. My proctor was a retired teacher.

If you're still concerned about their procedures on final exams re-contact the university and talk with someone else to address your concerns.

 

I received a message from the director of enrollment. According to the enrollment director - "No friends or coworkers as proctors."

If this info was given out it was in error.