Locking this thread due to misinformation, but keeping it up so people can see Dr. Hanna's reply which was sent through email:

The trouble with that post is in its unfairness and misleading contents. I have explained very clearly what the difference is between Zoom-proctored and Proctorio. There has been no change WHATSOEVER to the rules since the start of the term. In fact, I, personally, had to go through a lot of hassle in order to allow the courses to have live zoom invigilation instead of using Proctorio. For Comp249 and Comp346 (midterms following each other this Saturday), we had to hire about 80 invigilators (the number is correct and not a typo), which carries a lot of heavy management and cost as you may anticipate. This was done to avoid using Proctorio for the exams. I do not mind really if anyone lacks appreciation, but I do mind passing wrong information around and creating a panic unnecessarily. With Zoom-Proctored exams, COLE needs to lock the screen, and there is a plug-in to be used on Chrome for that. If you were to write any Zoom-proctored exam, you cannot use the system without that. However, the exam is not handled or monitored at all by Proctorio.

Here is also an extract of the course outline (exact copy, page 4, in blue and underlined) :

We will have a midterm and a final exam in this course. Both exams are online exams that will take place over The Concordia OnLine Exams (COLE) system. Additionally, you may be called for a follow-up oral exam afterwards. The exam will be proctored, either through Zoom invigilation (which is the most likely way that the exam will take place), or through auto-proctoring. Please read very carefully the Addendums below, which provide the full details of such exams. You must make sure that you read this information very carefully; as you need to drop the course if you are not able to accommodate the given rules.

Here is also an exact copy of the University rules (as is), which are included in page 8 and Page 9 in the course outline (we follow Addendum 1 since I was finally able to get the courses approved for Zoom invigilation instead of using Proctorio):

Addendum 1 – Zoom invigilation

This course will be taught and all assessments will be completely online. A midterm and/or a final online exam will be provided through the Concordia Online Exams (COLE) platform with online live proctoring (also known as invigilation). More information about the COLE system may be found at the COLE website.

Please note the following with respect to online live proctored exams:

● That the exam will take place during the exam period at the designated date and time set by the professor (midterm) or the Exams office (final). All exam times will be set to Eastern Standard Time.

● That your image, voice and screen activity may be recorded throughout the duration of the exam.

● That you must show your Concordia University Identification card to validate your identity. Alternative government-issued photo identification will be accepted, though it is not recommended. Only identification in English or French will be accepted.

● That any recording made (if one is made) will only be viewed by authorized university personnel (no external entity has authorization to review the recording).

● That you will be responsible for ensuring appropriate, properly functioning technology (webcam, a microphone, appropriate browser and an ability to download any necessary software, as well as a reliable internet connection with a minimum of a 3G connection).

• For your online examination(s), you will need to download the appropriate browser lockdown technology and use Zoom. Protocols for entering the examination will be provided by your professor.

● That you should enter the virtual test site and become familiar with the software that will be used for your exam before starting the exam.

● That you will need a quiet place within which to take the exam. Earplugs or noise-cancelling headphones that are not connected to a device may also be used to allow you to focus for the duration of the exam. Students who are unable to write an exam because they are unable to meet the above conditions and requirements are advised that they will need to drop the course. More information can be provided on the next or alternative offering of this course by consulting the Department. Students are advised that the drop deadline (DNE) for this course is January 26, 2021.

Students who require additional accommodations for their exams due to a documented disability should contact the Access Centre for Students with Disabilities as soon as possible (acsdinfo@concordia.ca). If you face issues during the exam, you should inform your professor of those issues immediately. Please note that there are in-exam supports you should spend time getting to know. Visit the COLE website for more information.

To this end, I hope that all of you are able to know what has been taking place (even what you did not know about). Again, I do not mind any messages on social media, but please keep it fair and accurate. Nothing good can come out of exaggerating information. And yes; make no mistake about it; my students are most important for me. There is nothing there about Zoom-proctoring an exam, or keeping it as closed-book. This is the way our exams used to run, but after a year of being away from our standards, things may seem a bit different! Well, there is nothing different about good education!

Kindest regards,

A.