student verification process
Gogebic Community College (GCC) assures the integrity of access to information systems, including access to online and distance learning content. Effective procedures are in place to ensure that a student who registers for a course, or who is provided access to course-specific content, including testing, is the same student who participates and completes the course or course activity to receive credit for progress. GCC makes clear in writing that these processes protect student privacy and notifies students at the time of enrollment of any projected additional costs associated with the verification procedures. This is a federal requirement: HLC Practices for Verification of Student Identity.
This document outlines the processes in place to ensure verification of student identity when applying, registering, and participating in coursework at Gogebic Community College.
When applying to attend GCC, all applicants are required to provide their social security number. This is required for all application forms – digital and paper, as well as through Financial Aid on the FAFSA form. This is also required on short registration forms as well as digital course registration forms.
Upon student acceptance at GCC, a unique student identification record is created in the student information system. This student identification record contains a unique identification number. The unique identification record is also associated with a single GCC provided campus email address. This email address and unique identification record are used for accessing all GCC provided and supported information systems. These information systems include email, the student information portal, and the learning management system, along with other supported systems.
The learning management system ensures course access and involvement for each unique student. By leveraging the unique student record for each verified student via SSN, and by governance through the Student Acceptable Use Policy of Information Systems at GCC, this ensures student verification. Violation of the Student Acceptable Use Policy of Information Systems can lead to disciplinary action as prescribed in the Student Handbook.
