Author: Lori Krone

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Academic Devleopment of Student-Athletes (ADSA) Altshuler Learning Enhancement Center Disability Accommodations & Success Strategies Honors and Scholars Student Academic Engagement & Success Student Academic Success Programs University Testing Center

New room numbers at the University Testing Center

SMU students take tests in the University Testing Center, January 24, 2023 in Clements Hall on the SMU Campus.

As part of the renovation of the Scholars’ Den in Clements Hall, room numbers for the University Testing Center (UTC) have changed.

Visitors will still access the UTC at the west end of the Clements Hall basement in suite G15, most directly using the side entrance facing Dallas Hall. Students and professors are to check in at the testing office (now renumbered to room G28) for test administrations and completed test pickup. Students will continue to be assigned to testing labs identified as “Peruna,” “Hilltop,” and “Varsity.”

Room number identification will be updated on the UTC website, the UTC portal for test registration, and in information handouts for both students and professors.

Please contact the UTC at 214-768-6064 or universitytestingcenter@smu.edu with any questions you may have.

 

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Academic Devleopment of Student-Athletes (ADSA) Altshuler Learning Enhancement Center Student Academic Engagement & Success University Testing Center

No testing at the University Testing Center during Spring Break

The University Testing Center (UTC) will be closed for testing during Spring Break, March 11th – 15th.  The testing office will be open during standard operating hours, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Testing is suspended due to computer installation and scheduled upgrades in the center.

Testing will resume on Monday, March 18th.

For questions, please contact us at 214-768-6064 or at universitytestingcenter@smu.edu.

All the best for a wonderful break!

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Academic Devleopment of Student-Athletes (ADSA) Disability Accommodations & Success Strategies Student Academic Engagement & Success University Testing Center

University Testing Center now accommodates Respondus LockDown Browser for Canvas assessments

Student taking test at SMU University Testing Center
SMU students take tests in the University Testing Center, January 24, 2023 in Clements Hall on the SMU Campus.

The University Testing Center (UTC) is excited to announce a new proctoring software that allows Canvas tests to be administered with the Respondus LockDown Browser (LDB).

The new software, NetSupport School, replaces a previous program, iTalc, that could not facilitate real-time surveillance of students taking Canvas tests with the Respondus LockDown Browser on UTC computers.

With NetSupport School,  professors will no longer have to create non-LDB versions of Canvas tests administered at the UTC — classroom test versions with LDB can now be used without issue.  And, on test day, students will not have to search for a “UTC version” of a Canvas test different from what is given in the classroom.

With its expanded features, NetSupport School streamlines the student and faculty testing experience while enhancing the UTC’s commitment to test integrity and security.

Various academic departments and professors utilizing the testing center suggested this feature and service enhancement, and we are excited to offer this new ability.

For more information, please contact the UTC at 214-768-6064 or universitytestingcenter@smu.edu.

 

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Academic Devleopment of Student-Athletes (ADSA) Altshuler Learning Enhancement Center Disability Accommodations & Success Strategies Office of Engaged Learning Office of General Education Student Academic Engagement & Success Student Academic Success Programs University Advising Center University Testing Center

Spring updates from the University Testing Center

SMU students take tests in the University Testing Center, January 24, 2023 in Clements Hall on the SMU Campus.

Welcome back to campus! It’s hard to believe that the University Testing Center (UTC) has completed its first operation phase since opening in August 2022.  We look forward to continuing our specialized testing services for Disability Accommodations and Success Strategies (DASS) students needing accommodated testing and our student-athletes needing early or make-up testing due to travel during the competitive season.  Beginning this summer, we’ll expand our services to include standard academic make-up testing, fee-based testing for non-SMU students in the local community, and credit-by-exam testing (CLEP) for some SMU courses.

Testing at the UTC is done by appointment weekdays between 8:30 and 3:30 p.m. with extended hours during final exams.  Appointments must be made at least 48 business hours before classroom testing dates using the UTC Portal at www.smu.edu/utcportal.

The UTC Portal’s updated exam submission process allows professors to determine when eligible students can test at the UTC, automatically upload tests by course name and section number, and retrieve completed tests with proctoring documentation. Stop by the UTC in the basement of Clements Hall to tour the facility, meet the staff, and have a one-on-one consultation to make the testing experience easier for you and your students!

Scantron Exam processing at the University Testing Center ends May 10th

The University Testing Center (UTC) scanning and reporting service for exam Scantrons will end after AY 2023-24.  A few faculty members use the service as the migration to Canvas continues, as directed by the Office of the Provost.  This, along with increasing maintenance costs and staffing needs for new testing services at the UTC, was a deciding factor in ending the service.  Official announcements will be sent periodically to faculty users through various channels so they may prepare for alternatives.

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Academic Devleopment of Student-Athletes (ADSA) Altshuler Learning Enhancement Center Disability Accommodations & Success Strategies Honors and Scholars Student Academic Engagement & Success University Testing Center

University Testing Center closed for Fall Break

The University Testing Center will be closed on Monday, October 9th, and Tuesday, October 10th for Fall Break.

Testing will resume on Thursday, October 12th.   

Good luck on midterms, and enjoy the break!

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University Testing Center

University Testing Center expands services this fall with new test-scheduling software

The 2022-23 academic year brought many exciting changes on the SMU campus, including a three-phased opening of the University Testing Center (UTC) in Clements Hall last August. During phase one, the center began providing accommodated testing services previously proctored by Disability Accommodations & Success Strategies (DASS), except scribe and reader tests.

This fall, phase two operations will expand testing services to student-athletes during their sport’s competition season, which necessitated a migration from DASS Link to a new test scheduling software to increase student group access.

The new UTC Portal offers a comprehensive, streamlined approach for delivering additional academic testing and credit-by-exam services to SMU students and local community partners during the phase three expansion in Spring 2024.

Watch our new video overviews for students and professors to learn more about our new system. Professors can schedule one-on-one consultations to be oriented to the new platform.

The UTC is certified by the National College Testing Association (NCTA) and adheres to professional standards ensuring exam integrity and accessibility for both examiners and examinees.

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Academic Devleopment of Student-Athletes (ADSA) Altshuler Learning Enhancement Center Disability Accommodations & Success Strategies Office of General Education Student Academic Engagement & Success Student Success & Retention University Testing Center

University Testing Center welcomes Amie DeRegge as Testing Coordinator

As the University Testing Center (UTC) launches its second year of operation this fall, we are excited to welcome Amie DeRegge as our new Testing Coordinator!

Amie brings over 20 years of experience in student academic records management, having served as a Texas charter high school registrar.  Her passion for serving students and her strengths in data management, multi-tasking, and customer service make her a tremendous addition to the UTC team.

“I’m so happy to work in the University Testing Center.  I love the culture and spirit of SMU and look forward to helping our students reach their academic goals for success in life,” Amie said.

Amie’s arrival at the UTC coincides with more new changes coming to the UTC this fall.  In addition to providing testing services to students receiving accommodations from DASS (Disability Accommodations & Success Strategies), the center will expand testing services to student-athletes during their sport’s competition season.  A migration to test scheduling software in the new UTC Portal will provide additional academic testing and credit-by-exam services to SMU students and the local community.

“It’s an exciting time to be at the UTC and be a part of its growth,” Amie said.  “It provides yet another opportunity to become immersed in the life of SMU.”

Amie enjoys spending time outdoors in her spare time, vacationing with family on the beach, being “Minyama” to her grandkids, and having fun with her pets Sparky and Doc.  She and her husband, Andrew, are proud Mustang parents to their daughter, Molly, an incoming freshman and member of SMU Cheer.

The UTC is certified by the National College Testing Association (NCTA) and adheres to professional standards ensuring exam integrity and accessibility for both examiners and examinees.

 

 

Categories
Student Academic Engagement & Success University Testing Center

University Testing Center to hire full-time Testing Coordinator

We’re looking for a full-time Testing Coordinator to support the University Testing Center (UTC) this Fall! The position was formerly occupied by Lauren Horton, who received her Masters of Science in Cybersecurity in May. Lauren will be missed by many as she leaves the Hilltop for new adventures ahead, and we are forever grateful for her wonderful contributions to our center.

We continue to serve our students needing accommodated testing services as we have since opening our doors last August. In the coming months, we will expand our services to other groups, including SMU student-athletes needing makeup testing while away for their sport and non-SMU distance learners, and professional examinees in the community needing fee-based proctoring services.

Some of the many things our new team member will do:

  • Prepare testing labs, materials, and equipment for paper-based and computer-based tests;
  • Manage daily electronic test registrations, reschedules, cancellations, and testing lab capacity;
  • Manage electronic receipt and return of exam materials;
  • Perform check-in procedures, electronic test proctoring, and confidential test security protocols;
  • Assist with phone inquiries, email inquiries, and walk-in inquiries;
  • Troubleshoot and document testing issues and irregularities;
  • Maintain security and confidentiality of student records, information, and accommodations;
  • Publicize news and events through blogging, website, and campus marketing resources

Our ideal applicants will have:

  • Ability to learn software for test scheduling and computer test administrations;
  • Experience in website development, database systems, blogging and online file storage and manipulation;
  • Proficiency in MS Office;
  • Ability to interface with a diverse constituency of students, parents, faculty and staff;
  • Willingness to work additional hours during peak testing times and as needed to support testing center operations

Please consider, share with your offices, and post within your professional networks.

Deadline:  July 7, 2023

Priority consideration to submissions received by June 27, 2023

Hiring Point of Contact:  Lori Krone (lkrone@smu.edu / 214-768-2269). See the job posting in the SMU Staff Career Portal.

Categories
Student Academic Engagement & Success University Testing Center

Congratulations and farewell, Lauren Horton!

Congratulations to our University Testing Center Testing Coordinator Lauren Horton, who will graduate with a Masters of Science in Cybersecurity this weekend!  She will be with us until the end of May before embarking on an exciting new career as a Cyber Systems Security Engineer for Lockheed Martin.

Lauren has been invaluable to the UTC since opening in Clements Hall last August.  She will be missed by many on the Hilltop, and we wish her all the best for her continued success!