Student room scans prior to remote testing ruled unconstitutional

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Student room scans ruled unconstitutional overview: 

• Who: A federal judge in Ohio ruled it was unconstitutional for Cleveland State University in Ohio to conduct a virtual room scan of a student’s bedroom prior to him taking a test. 
• Why: The judge determined that the student’s right to privacy outweighed the university’s interests. 
• Where: The complaint was filed in Ohio federal court. 

A federal judge in Ohio determined that it was unconstitutional for Ohio’s Cleveland State University (CSU) to conduct a virtual scan of the bedroom of a chemistry student prior to him taking a test remotely. 

U.S. district court Judge J. Philip Calabrese ruled that the student’s right to privacy outweighed the interest of the university while ordering the two sides to discuss possible ways to remedy the situation, The New York Times reports. 

Educators increasingly began using virtual technology to monitor students after the COVID-19 pandemic forced schools and universities to transition from in-person to online learning, in an attempt to curb the spread of the virus. 

Students and privacy experts have subsequently expressed concerns over the effects monitoring software, which can pickup feeds from a computer’s microphone or camera and detect keystrokes, has on privacy, The New York Times reports. 

CSU accused of requiring student room scans prior to, during, after at-home exams

The plaintiff, who was not allowed to take in-person classes at CSU during the pandemic due to pre-existing medical issues, reportedly disagreed with a policy that could require him to show his work space either during, before or after taking an exam. 

After disputing the policy for a General Chemistry II course he was taking, the plaintiff says the student room scans policy was removed from the syllabus, The New York Times reports. 

The student claims, however, that the testing service for the university would later inform him that it would need to check his work area before he could take an exam for the course.

The plaintiff reportedly ultimately decided to comply with the room scan, despite telling the proctor that there were confidential documents visible, but went on to file a complaint against the university, claiming it violated his Fourth Amendment right to privacy. 

In related education news, earlier this month, President Joe Biden provided indebted students with a chance at relief after he announced he would provide as much as $20,000 in student loan relief for millions of borrowers across the country. 

Have you had your right to privacy violated by an educational or other facility? Let us know in the comments! 

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