Using attendance data on campus

Attendance data and student privacy

Monitoring class attendance is not a new practice either in higher education. Previously, it was not uncommon for professors to take attendance on paper or through other nontechnical ways. Furthermore, there is no GPS tracking, meaning the technology does not know a student's location. iClicker is an exception, should an instructor elect to use that feature (it is not on by default).

Attendance data improves student services

Knowing the attendance patterns of students will allow faculty to intervene when students are missing class. If a student is struggling and not going to class, we will do everything we can to assist that individual (i.e., connect them to financial assistance, transportation resources, health care, counseling, etc.). Attendance may also be used in assessing the academic performance of students—a decision that will be made by the individual faculty.