Notice for the Fall 2020 Semester
Student Disability Services will be proctoring exams on a limited basis during the Fall 2020 semester. Students who are enrolled in an experiential learning course or students who have assistive technology needs and live in the Austin area may sign up using the SDS Testing Center Reservation Request Form. All other requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis. For further information, please contact the Testing Coordinator.
The SDS Testing Center administers exams for faculty whose students have been approved for testing accommodations on their 504 letter. Students must request their 504 letter at the beginning of the semester and share it with their faculty in order to use their testing accommodations.
To sign up for an exam in the Testing Center, students should fill out the SDS Testing Reservation Request Form preferably two days before their exam. If you have trouble accessing the form, please contact the SDS Front Desk. All exams and quizzes should be taken on the same day and time as the rest of the class. Any exam taken on a different date/time must be approved by the faculty. On the day of the exam, students should arrive to the Testing Center promptly to ensure they receive their full testing time.
Once the student has filled out the request form, their faculty will receive an email with the details of the student's request. We rely on faculty to confirm the student's requested testing time and materials allowed during the exam. Once the professor has confirmed that the student's request is correct and no changes need to be made, the exam can be delivered to the SDS Testing Center in one of the following ways:
- Upload the exam here
- Email the exam and the following information to sdstest@stedwards.edu:
- Date/time of in-class exam
- Standard time allotted for exam
- Additional materials allowed for the exam (calculator, notes, books, etc.)
After the student has finished the exam, faculty will receive the exam via email to their SEU email account (@stedwards.edu). If faculty have concerns or feedback regarding an exam taken in the SDS Testing Center, they can contact the Testing Coordinator or fill out our Faculty Feedback Form. For additional information, please view our Student FAQs and Faculty FAQs.
Hours of Operation and Contact Information
The SDS Testing Center is open during the following hours. If you have a scheduling conflict and cannot test between these hours, please contact the Testing Coordinator and your faculty to make other arrangements.
- Monday - Thursday: 8:30am - 5:30pm
- Friday: 8:30am - 5:00pm
Moody Hall 155
sdstest@stedwards.edu
Phone: (512) 448-8659
Student FAQs
How do I reschedule or cancel an exam that I've already signed up for?
- Fill out the SDS Testing Center Reservation form and select the option to Reschedule or Cancel an Exam or call the SDS front desk at (512) 448-8561 as soon as possible. The SDS Testing Center will make every attempt to accommodate your request to reschedule, but this may be dependent upon space in the Testing Center, hours of operation, or faculty approval.
What are my responsibilities on the day of the exam?
- Please arrive at the Testing Center on time and with all of your own materials (scantron, calculator, etc.). The Testing Center will only provide scratch paper, which must be turned in with your exam.
- All electronic devices including cell phones and smartwatches must be silenced and stored with your belongings outside the Testing Center. Your professor will be notified if you bring an electronic device with you into the Testing Center.
- If you cannot take the exam at your scheduled time (illness, course withdrawal, etc.) or you decide to take it in class, you are responsible for cancelling your exam with the Testing Center before your exam starts.
Can I leave the Testing Center during my exam?
- Once a student has started an exam in the SDS Testing Center, they are not permitted to leave unless preapproved to use the restroom based on disability. Students who have this accommodation will be escorted by Testing Center staff.
What if I have a question during the exam?
- If you have a question about your exam, you should notify the proctor and/or the Testing Coordinator immediately. At your request, we will attempt to contact your professor. If we are unable to get in contact with them by the end of your exam, the Testing Coordinator will provide options for remedy in consultation with faculty.
If I arrive late to my exam, will I still get my full testing time?
- If you are late to your exam, SDS will make every effort to seat you on a case-by-case basis.
- The most common factors considered are:
- Seat availability
- Time of day
- Faculty availability/approval
What is the Testing Center's policy about cheating?
- Students are expected to abide by the following:
- St. Edward's University Student Code of Conduct
- St. Edward's University Academic Integrity policy (link to bulletin - find out which page it is on)
- If a student is suspected of violating either of these policies:
- The Testing Coordinator will stop the student's exam, speak with the student(s) involved, and determine if a violation has occurred.
- The student(s) will be notified of the initial decision and provided options regarding their exam.
- It is Testing Center policy to consult with faculty and the student's disability counselor regarding issues of academic integrity.
Note: Finals Week
- To ensure we have enough seats for every student to test, we only offer exams during finals week at 8:30am, 11:30am, 2:30pm, and 5:30pm. SDS encourages students to sign up early and as close to the class testing time as possible. Our midday (11:30am and 2:30pm) testing times fill up early despite the additional seats we add during finals. The Testing Center will make every effort to fulfill a request received within two business days of the exam, but will dependent upon space, time, and seat availability.
Faculty FAQs
Can any of my students use the Testing Center with my approval?
- The SDS Testing Center is only available for students who have been approved for testing accommodations on their 504 letter. SDS encourages faculty to reach out to their school for assistance making alternate arrangements for any other students.
Are my students allowed to take their exams at a different time than the rest of the class?
- In general, SDS encourages students to take exams at the same time as the class. We rely on faculty to confirm the student's requested testing time. If a student class schedule prevents them from receiving extended time at the same time as the class, the Testing Coordinator will consult with faculty on a case by case basis.
Can the SDS Testing Center proctor my exam if it is on Canvas or another online platform?
- SDS can proctor Canvas and other online exams. It is the faculty's responsibility to set up the exam on Canvas (i.e. time, access code, etc.) before the exam starts.
- Additionally, the SDS Testing Center requests a physical or digital copy of all online exams in case there is an error accessing the exam. If we do not have a backup copy of the exam and the student is unable to access the exam online, we will contact faculty and have the student reschedule the exam.
Am I allowed to proctor the exam on my own?
- Faculty members can proctor the exam on their own in consultation with the student and disability counselor. Students must receive all requested testing accommodations (i.e. extended time, quiet place, assistive technology).
How does the Testing Center handle the following situations?
- My student is late or doesn't arrive for the exam:
- If a student is late to an exam, SDS will make every effort to seat them on a case-by-case basis. SDS considers seat availability, time of day, and faculty communication/approval when deciding to seat a tardy student.
- If a student misses an exam, the faculty will be informed and SDS will await instructions about rescheduling.
- My student wants to reschedule an exam:
- We strongly encourage students to contact their professors directly if they need to reschedule an exam. Once a student contacts the SDS Testing Center to reschedule, their faculty will receive an email with the details of the student's request. Please review the details and contact us if any of the details are incorrect or if the student should not be allowed to reschedule their exam.
- My student has a question during the exam:
- If a student has a question during an exam, the SDS Testing Center staff will attempt to contact faculty by email and phone. If we are unable to contact the student's faculty, the Testing Coordinator will provide the student options for remedy in consultation with faculty.
- Academic Dishonesty
- Students are expected to abide by the following:
- St. Edward's University Student Code of Conduct
- St. Edward's University Academic Integrity policy (link to bulletin - find out which page it is on)
- If a student is suspected of violating either of these policies:
- The Testing Coordinator will stop the student's exam, speak with the student(s) involved, and determine if a violation has occurred.
- The student(s) will be notified of the initial decision and provided options regarding their exam.
- It is Testing Center policy to consult with faculty and the student's disability counselor as soon as possible regarding issues of academic integrity.
- Students are expected to abide by the following:
- My student leaves the SDS Testing Center during their exam for any reason (illness, etc.):
- Once a student leaves the Testing Center for any reason, they must turn in their exam. They will only be readmitted to the Testing Center with faculty approval. If your student is approved for trips to the restroom during their exams (as noted on their 504 accommodation letter), they will be escorted to the restroom by SDS staff upon request
Note - Finals week:
- To ensure we have enough seats for every student to test, we only offer exams during finals week at 8:30am, 11:30am, 2:30pm, and 5:30pm. SDS encourages students to sign up early and as close to the class testing time as possible. Our midday (11:30am and 2:30pm) testing times fill up early despite the additional seats we add during finals. We request that faculty be as flexible as possible during this time, but please reach out to us if you have any concerns about your students testing at a different time than the rest of the class. The Testing Center will make every effort to fulfill a request received within two business days of the exam, but will be dependent upon space, time, and seat availability.