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2.G.7 Student Identity Verification

The institution maintains an effective identity verification process for students, including those enrolled in distance education courses and programs, to establish that the student enrolled in such a course or program is the same person whose achievements are evaluated and credentialed. The institution ensures that the identity verification process for distance education students protects student privacy and that students are informed, in writing at the time of enrollment, of current and projected charges associated with the identity verification process.

Effective identity verification process. UAF maintains an effective student identity verification process to ensure that the individual enrolled in a course or program is the same person whose achievements are evaluated and credentialed. This process is implemented across all learning management systems (LMS) and content management systems (CMS) used by the institution. The university ensures the integrity of student identities through a combination of unique login credentials and multifactor authentication (MFA). requires that each UA student has a unique identification code, or UA ID number. Upon admission to the university, students are assigned a unique UA ID number and are prompted to activate their UA account and credentials (username and password) via the Easy Login Maintenance Option (ELMO) system, which requires students to configure personal information for verification. These credentials grant access to UAF's single sign-on services (SSO), including UAOnline, and institutional LMS and CMS platforms.

To enhance security, UAF mandates Duo multi-factor authentication (MFA) for all students and employees. This system requires users to verify their identity through a secondary device, such as a smartphone or security key/physical token issued by UAF Nanook Technology Services, adding an additional layer of protection against unauthorized access. The MFA is required for students and employees accessing UA SSO services, such as UAOnline, Canvas, and Google Classroom/Workspace. The UA account serves as the primary access point for all institutional resources. This centralized approach, alongside MFA, ensures that only verified users can access academic records and course content, participate in interactions, and complete assessments. For third-party tools and platforms integrated into Canvas, UAF ensures compliance with institutional identity verification standards through secure integration protocols. Students access these tools using their UA credentials through Canvas, extending the protections provided by the UA single sign-on system.

Extending this commitment to secure identity verification, Student Success Center (SSC) Testing Services utilizes , a secure online test registration and scheduling platform. Integrated with Canvas, RegisterBlast allows students to select a test date and time within the instructor-defined testing window. Students can reschedule or cancel their exam directly through the platform. RegisterBlast gives faculty greater control over exam administration. Instructors can create and manage exam submissions, set testing windows, provide detailed proctoring instructions, and monitor student registrations and completions in real time. Once exams are completed, faculty can view and download uploaded materials, including the exam itself, scratch paper, and any allowed notes. A secure Banner integration streamlines identity verification by accurately linking students to their registered courses, eliminating the need for manual roster uploads, reducing processing errors, and improving efficiency. RegisterBlast complies with FERPA standards, prioritizes data security, and prohibits the sale or unauthorized sharing of student information.

To combat the rising threat of fraudulent admissions and financial aid applications, the UA System is implementing a multilayered, collaborative defense strategy. At the core of this effort is a statewide work team that has attempted to synchronize anti-fraud policies across the system. This is complemented by a dedicated UAF-specific task force. This local team brings together key stakeholders, including customer relationship management (CRM) administrators, the Office of the Registrar, the Bursar’s Office, and Financial Aid Office, to ensure seamless communication and rapid intervention when suspicious patterns emerge. In addition, UAF is implementing , which provides advanced data analytics and automated detection tools to identify and block fraudulent activity before it impacts campus resources.

UAF supports faculty teaching distance education courses by providing testing services through remote proctoring integrated into Canvas and in-person proctoring via SSC Testing Services. For remote proctoring, UAF uses , a third-party service that complies with university privacy and security standards, including FERPA. Honorlock encrypts user data, only collects information necessary for and proctoring, and restricts its use to academic purposes.

, operated by , provides a secure, comprehensive testing environment serving both the university community and the broader Fairbanks region. A member of the National ¾Ã¾ÃÈÈÊÓƵ Testing Association (NCTA), the center adheres to NCTA Professional Standards and Guidelines to ensure fairness, integrity, and accessibility for all test-takers. The center proctors a wide range of academic, certification, licensure, and placement exams through multiple vendors, including Pearson VUE, Prometric, PSI, and the National Testing Network, covering high-stakes exams such as the CPA, GRE, Praxis, TEAS, FE, FAA, and CLEP, as well as State of Alaska credentialing exams for trades, pesticide application, water certification, and teaching. Providing local access to nationally recognized exams, the center reduces barriers to degree completion, career readiness, and workforce development across Alaska.

Identity verification process for distance education students protects student privacy. The identity verification process is designed to safeguard privacy while ensuring that the student accessing electronic platforms and records is the individual whose achievements are assessed and credentialed. Several other policies are in place to further protect the student's privacy. Student FERPA rights are upheld regardless of the chosen course modality, with comprehensive policy details available in the UAF Academic Catalog, on the Office of the Registrar's FERPA resource pages, and through regular email communication. To accomplish this outcome, UAF uses for of distance education students, ensuring the protection of student privacy. Honorlock complies with university privacy and security standards, including FERPA, and limits the collection and use of data strictly to academic purposes.

To maintain the security and integrity of its information systems, the university upholds the , which governs the responsible use of computing resources for all users, including those utilizing UA domain equipment. In addition, UAF adheres to , ensuring continued compliance with FERPA regulations. These measures collectively protect personal data, affirming it is used strictly for identity verification and academic purposes. By integrating UA SSO, requiring MFA, and adhering to rigorous privacy standards, UAF ensures an informed, secure, and reliable identity verification process for all students, including those engaged in distance education.

Students are informed of charges. UAF faculty are required to include proctoring requirements in their syllabi, publish them within the Canvas learning management system, and provide students with detailed instructions regarding available verification methods. Many instructors use Honorlock, an online proctoring service that requires students to authenticate their identity by creating an account and logging in securely prior to the assessment. Students are charged a $9 fee for each of the first two proctored exams, with a maximum cost of $18 per course per semester. To ensure equitable access and to mitigate cost barriers, students may alternatively complete exams at SSC Testing Services or with an approved remote proctor, in which case the proctor assumes responsibility for identity verification and exam integrity. These layered approaches demonstrate the institution’s commitment to safeguarding academic integrity and ensuring compliance with federal expectations for distance education identity verification.

Regular and substantive interaction. At UAF, the academic policy for regular and substantive interaction (RSI) was first established in in response to federal distance education requirements and NWCCU accreditation expectations. As the university began implementing this initial plan, it became clear that some elements of the process, particularly the timing and purpose of surveys, the applicability of the policy to different distance modalities, and the analysis of collected data, needed clarification and refinement. In response, the Faculty Senate Teaching and Learning Committee revisited the policy to realign the intent, simplify expectations for faculty, and improve the overall implementation structure.

The strengthens UAF’s commitment to ensuring that online courses are distinct from correspondence or self‑paced formats by maintaining clear definitions of regular (predictable, scheduled contact) and substantive (meaningful, instructor‑initiated academic engagement) interaction. It continues to require that all distance-delivered courses include at least two forms of substantive interaction, such as direct instruction, timely feedback, facilitation of group discussion, or course‑related communication, in alignment with federal and accreditation standards. The updated plan also improves monitoring and support procedures by standardizing student surveys at the 25% point of the term, refining faculty reflection processes, and assigning survey administration and data management to the Office of Accreditation and Assessment to ensure usability and consistency.

UAF intends to begin implementing the revised RSI procedures in fall 2026, allowing faculty and units time to prepare for the updated expectations. These revisions reflect a more sustainable and defined approach to maintaining high‑quality interaction in distance courses and supporting student success.