I. Exams Covered (Faculty Option to Opt Out)

Students will be allowed to use laptops for all examinations unless the faculty member notifies the Academic Dean's office and the students that he/she will not allow laptop administration of exams. If a faculty member wishes to opt out of laptop administration, this notice is to be provided to students at the beginning of the semester. Alternatively, a faculty member may elect to develop his/her own procedures for laptop administration of exams (i.e. allowing students to take exams on laptops without security software). Faculty electing to establish their own procedures will communicate these procedures to the Academic Dean's office and the affected students no later than the date students must register their intention to use laptops for exams.

Please note: These procedures do not apply to students receiving accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

II. General Notice

Students electing to use their laptop computers accept the possibility that software or hardware problems may occur that will prevent them from completing the exam with the laptop.  In the event of a technical problem, a member of the Computer Services staff will attempt to troubleshoot the problem and attempt to restart the program.  However, if the program cannot be restarted, the student will be required to complete the exam by handwriting in a blue book.

All students are advised that they retain the laptop computer until the examination(s) have been successfully printed by the Academic Dean's Office. This is of particular concern to students who rent a laptop. If the uploaded exam cannot be printed, the encrypted version of the exam must be accessed from the laptop hard drive. You may confirm that the exams have been successfully printed by contacting the Academic Dean's Office.

III. Online Registration

If you wish to use your laptop to complete your examination, you must register no later than Friday, April 11, 2008.   You must register to use Securexam by visiting www.planetssi.com, downloading, installing and taking the practice exam. Once the practice exam has been taken and uploaded, registration is complete.  The Dean's office must have this information to prepare the proctor's list for each exam and also to confirm that you have loaded and registered the Securexam software.

IV. Software Download

Students will only be allowed to use their laptops if they have the required Securexam software installed and registered. If you have not properly installed and registered your software by Friday, April 11, 2008 you will not be allowed to use your laptop for Spring 2008 exams.  Please note:  You will need to download the new MAC and Windows Securexam version.  These versions are different from the versions used in the Fall.

V. Exception for Users of Rented Computers

Students who do not own laptop computers may make arrangements through Computer Services to rent a laptop. Students who are interested in this option should contact Computer Services no later than Thursday, April 10, 2008.  You will be asked to fill out a registration form indicating that you are renting your computer and that you will seek assistance from Computer Services to download the software prior to the examination period.

VI. On the Day of the Exam

1.    Arrive 30 minutes early.

2.    Bring your power cord.

3.    Set the volume on your laptop to MUTE so that your laptop will not disrupt others.

4.    No technical support will be available at the exam.  If your laptop is not prepared, if the software registration is not complete, or if you experience technical problems, you will be required to handwrite the exam.

5.    Close ALL software applications, including Microsoft Word, leave only your Desktop.

6.    Double-click on the Securexam Student icon from the desktop.  MAC version 6.02.01 and Windows version 6.2.3.

7.    Please note students’ work will be saved automatically every 60 seconds, but the student may also use the; “Save” function in the File pull-down menu.

8.    When finished, the student may exit the test by clicking on “Exit” in the “Exit Exam” pull-down menu. When the student chooses to exit the Securexam screen, he or she will be given the option to re-enter the exam in case of an error.  If the student does indeed intend to exit, Securexam will then prompt the student to again be sure that he or she intends to exit.

9.    If you experience a problem with the laptop or the software, immediately notify the proctor. You and the proctor should note the time, so that additional time, if necessary, may be calculated properly.