College teacher videotaping students for attendance

[appleboy]

What is the name of your state? California
At a southern california community college, one of our teachers has decided that to combat kids saying they were in class when she didn't mark them down that she is going to videotape the students while taking attendance as proof.

Although I can understand her reasoning behind this, I believe it is violating students' right to privacy as they have not given any concent and most don't like the idea of being videotaped..

Any knowledge of the laws on this would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

[fairisfair]

right to privacy, in a college classroom???

 

[You Are Guilty]

right to privacy, in a college classroom???

coughCommunityCollegecough

 

[appleboy]

we're not UCLA

 

[mommyof4]

You are in a public setting where you have no reasonable expectation of privacy. Not illegal. It's not like she is SECRETLY taping you.

 

[GrowUp!]

we're not UCLA

I can see why UCLA did not accept you asking such a stupid question. I guess you better start showing up.

 

[panzertanker]

I can see why UCLA did not accept you asking such a stupid question. I guess you better start showing up.

OP also needs to learn how to spell:
C*O*N*S*E*N*T

...as they have not given any concent...

Pay attention to your studies....

 

[appleboy]

I do show up, I just don't particularly like being videotaped for various reasons, so I was curious if there were any laws about it. I guess not. What I meant about UCLA, for those who don't keep track, are all the latest events caught on tape and shown on the news.

Thanks for bashing me though.

on a serious note, thanks panzertanker for correcting my spelling.

 

[panzertanker]

on a serious note, thanks panzertanker for correcting my spelling.

You are quite welcome.

I personally do not think you deserve a bashing. I, too, would probably wonder if they have a right to videotape me to prove attendance when I was a young college-aged lad. I don't think it was a stupid question, just slightly naive. If you are in a public area, you lose certain privacies. A Community College classroom is considered to be public, and therefore open to certain things that your bedroom would not be (for example).

Answer:
They have the right to videotape your attendance in a public area, just like you have the right to videotape the lecture.....

 

[fairisfair]

dude if you think this was a bashing, well you need to get out more. Who bashed you and where????

 

[CdwJava]

Although I can understand her reasoning behind this, I believe it is violating students' right to privacy as they have not given any concent and most don't like the idea of being videotaped.

CA law would not prevent the video taping of the lecture. There MIGHT be issues if the video had audio attached and it were being taken covertly. However, since the instructor is in charge of the classroom, the recording is being done with everyone's knowledge (if not consent), there is nothing on the face of this that indicates a crime.

Students that have a problem with this can certainly speak to the college administration to make a complaint if they feel they have one. But, I wouldn't expect there to be a problem here ... though some colleges tend to be very peculiar in their decisions.

- Carl

 

[xylene]

While I have no reason to doubt the legality of this approach - As someone with college education experience (TA only) - I would say this policy is a pretty bad one.

I mean this is a recipe for a very adversarial environement (one more out of a high school - or 7th grade field trip)

All I can say is if I was the TA in a class where a professor was doing this, or worse having me take and review the tapes... I would have such a low respect I would consider leaving that job assignment. Can't speak to it as a student or TA. Was lucky - as undergrad had tight knit upper level classes, 15 students max. It didn't take a camera to know who was missing. As a TA, i assited in labs (max 20 students)

 

[CdwJava]

I'd say that if a professor was constantly getting beefed by kids who were not present when roll was taken and then decided to later complain about the hit on their score because of it, I'd consider a video record as well. It's hard to argue with the video record.

Depending on the length of the course at on sitting, a professor might consider sending around a sign-in sheet at the beginning of the lecture and maybe near the end - if it was one of those 2+ hour courses with a break in the middle.

I knew people in college who would bail out after the first break. I empathize with the instructor. I would NEVER have considered bailing out in my day. I know kids nowadays that cut out at the first opportunity and even sass back to the professors! This says a lot about the character of many of those entering college today.

- Carl

 

[appleboy]

yeah, a majority of teachers send around a sign-in sheet since classes are limited to 35 students anyway, but most of us have very low respect for this teacher now with her other policies, but no need to get into that. Thanks for all the helpful info.

and I agree with you CdwJava, lot's of students now show little respect for their professors and shouldn't show up at all of they don't want to be there, but I think the state school systems through high school have a play in shaping them but that debate is for another time

 

[CdwJava]

but I think the state school systems through high school have a play in shaping them but that debate is for another time

I put the blame on the societal changes that government has forced on schools ... no one is to blame, no one should win, and no one is accountable for their own actions. It is a much different world today than when I was a child.

When I was a child, if I lipped off to an adult, I'd get whacked by that adult, then dragged by my ear to my parents who would then whack me again and force me to do a weekend's physical labor for the indiscretion. Nowadays, the disrespectful remark would be protected speech and the correcting adult would go to jail for battery.

- Carl