• June 1: SMC Board of Trustees renews Proctorio for Fall 2022 with the staff recommendation of creating an on-ground Proctoring Center and to assess alternative proctoring options.

• Spring 2021: A.S. creates the A.S. Proctorio Committee to advocate for students against Surveillance Technology in Education

• Spring 2021: A sizable group of SMC’s faculty was unaccommodating to students’ voices. These conflicts have caused a separation between students and faculty in the Proctorio Workgroup.

• Winter 2021: SMC puts together a workgroup with faculty, administrators, and students to create guidelines and recommendations to enforce an equitable use of Proctorio.

• 12/23/2020: The SMC Board of Trustees approved funding Proctorio for 175 Winter & Spring 2021 STEM Class Sections. Funding for Proctorio is limited to sections in which the schedule of classes advised students of such proctoring.

• 12/22/2020: After the SMC Board of Trustees decided not to renew Proctorio for Winter & Spring 2021, the Board of Trustees announced they would be holding a Special Meeting on December 23rd to reconsider their previous decision.

• 12/9/2020: The Board of Trustees motioned not to approve the purchasing contract of Proctorio for Winter & Spring 2021.

• 12/7/2020: SMC adds a notice in the 'i' button of the class schedule, allowing students to know whether a class section plans to use Proctorio. SMC notes that for Winter and Spring 2021 terms, instructors are not required to accept students' requests for exception to Proctorio except as a mandated accommodation sanctioned by the Center for Students with Disabilities.

• Fall 2020: A.S. ask for students' input and stories regarding Proctorio and advocates against its use in Campus-Wide Committees.

The Associated Students of Santa Monica College (SMC) encourages students, faculty, and staff to work together. It is within our mission to ensure good communication between students, faculty, staff, administration, and the community. We are committed to effective and transparent communication, regardless of the parties or interests involved.

Throughout the last year, a noticeable rift has appeared between faculty and students regarding the use of the current proctoring services and techniques. Some of the comments made by both sides were considered disrespectful and offensive by many. We, the Associated Students, apologize for any comments that were deemed inflammatory, hostile, or malicious. We would like for faculty to consider partnering with Associated Students in implementing a transparent and efficient line of communication between faculty and the student body. Ensuring all constituent voices are heard in implementing policies provides the most equitable solution while no parties are left out of decision-making at SMC. Students have a right to represent and advocate for themselves. Participation, collaboration, and input from all constituencies help to serve the interest of all involved parties.

We are grateful for those faculty members who take students seriously and allow them to participate in the decision-making process at Santa Monica College. The Associated Students of Santa Monica College hopes that moving forward students are able to cooperate with faculty and have an important role in policymaking and the development of the college’s practices.

Sincerely,

The Associated Students of Santa Monica College